August 31, 2023

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

As I write this week’s Shabbat message, Hurricane Idalia is rapidly intensifying as Floridians on the west coast brace for the storm’s landfall. Here in our community, we are fortunate that we will have minimal impact from this storm, and life moves on without the anxiety of last-minute storm preparations and long lines for gasoline and supplies. I’ll be keeping everyone in the storm’s path in my thoughts.

At our Adolph & Rose Levis JCC, we are poised for an exciting season full of a variety of programs and events. Next week, we will head “Eastside” for our Pop Up Happy Hour on Wednesday, September 6th from 5:30-7:30 pm at AlleyCat. Join us to socialize, network and connect with like-minded professionals and our community! Admission is $40 per person ($45 at the door) and includes light appetizers and a cocktail. Levis JCC Eastside is chaired by Dan Kobak and Eliot Popper. I hope to see many of you there!

This week’s Torah portion is Ki Tavo (When You Come) in the book of Deuteronomy, the fifth and final book in the Five Books of Moses. In it, G-d declares that after 40 years in the dessert, the Israelites have finally attained “a heart to know, eyes to see, and ears to hear.” Whether preparing for hurricanes or celebrating when we are past them, may we all use our hearts to truly know, our eyes to really see what’s important, and our ears to listen carefully.

Light Shabbat candles Friday evening at 7:22 pm.
Shabbat ends Saturday night at 8:14 pm.

Shabbat Shalom!

Marty