September 12, 2024

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

If you are a regular reader of my weekly Shabbat message, then you know I never miss a week. It is a wonderful opportunity for me to connect with you, and to share some aspect of my life, our community, local and/or world events, and what’s happening at our Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center, as well as our weekly Torah portion. This week I write to you 6 days into a spectacular 9-day Travel with the J trip to Colombia. It has been an amazing adventure. Few, if any, of us in the group realized the impact the Jews of the Spanish Inquisition made in the development of Medellín and Jericó. We see Jewish history and heritage in so many unexpected places – we have visited homes that still have original mikvehs. We have learned that some people still refer to bread as Parve. Best of all, there is still a vibrant congregation of 150 fellow Jews (we enjoyed a meaningful Shabbat service and dinner with them) and another congregation of 300 people who have converted back to Judaism after being forced into Christianity generations ago, including the Rabbi, who had been a pastor! While the sights are beautiful and there are so many wonderful cultural things to experience, connecting with Colombian Jewish communities and learning their history is the highlight of this journey. We may be scattered all over the globe, but we really are just one big Jewish family.

At home, the Levis JCC continues to bring our community together with a variety of programs and events, and I hope you will find something (or many things) that entice you to join us. Visit us online at levisjcc.org to learn about all of the wonderful ways you can connect with us.

This week’s Torah portion is Ki Teitzei (when I go out) in the book of Deuteronomy, the fifth of the Five Books of Moses. Ki Teitzei concludes with the obligation to remember “what Amalek did to you on the road, on your way out of Egypt.” Amalek is described in the Hebrew Bible as the enemy nation of the Israelites, and can take many forms. One example of Amalek is the Spanish Inquisition, very top-of-mind on this trip. Another example of Amalek —impossible to forget—is present day Hamas. I am heartened that Amalek always fails and Israel always prevails! It is my hope that there will be enduring peace for our global Jewish family, now and always.

Light Shabbat Candles on Friday night at 7:08 pm
Shabbat ends Saturday night at 8:00 pm

Shabbat Shalom
Am Yisrael Chai!

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Marty