October 16, 2024

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

After enjoying warm and meaningful holiday celebrations in our community, Lori and I are so happy to be in Phoenix, Arizona this week, where we are celebrating the remainder of these fall chagim (Jewish holidays) with our son Noah, his fiancée Patricia, and their lovely daughters Gabriela and Olivia. This is a truly joyful time for our family, highlighted by Noah and Patricia’s wedding, which will take place this weekend. We are so happy to celebrate this beautiful moment together--l'chaim!

At home in Boca Raton, our Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center, which truly is home away from home for thousands in our community, hosted a variety of programs this week. On Monday, our Gail Shapiro-Scott Book Club hosted a robust discussion of the novel The Overstory by Richard Powers, while film buffs enjoyed the movie Fargo, the second screening in Movie Club’s 4 part Coen Brothers Retrospective. On Tuesday, more than 30 men gathered at Warren American Whiskey Kitchen for Men's Night Out, chaired by Matt Baker, Mark Gotlieb and Eric Gutmann. Participants enjoyed a "chill" night out while networking and connecting with the Levis JCC and our Jewish community. At our Betty & Marvin Zale Early Childhood Learning Center, students are learning about the Sukkot holiday, the meaning of shaking the lulav and etrog, and are experiencing spending time in the sukkah. It’s a busy and beautiful start to our fall programming, and I hope you will visit levisjcc.org to learn about the many upcoming events and programs here at our Levis JCC.

This Shabbat we also celebrate the holiday of Sukkot which, commemorates G-d's protection of the Children of Israel during their 40-year journey through the desert (1,313-1,273 BCE). This festival is celebrated for seven days, beginning from the eve of Tishrei 15. During this time, we are commanded to "dwell" in a sukkah (a hut). Our homes are so essential to our lives. Whether it is the new home that Noah, Patricia and the girls are creating together, or the temporary homes that we use to celebrate Sukkot, our homes provide us a sense of safety, protection, privacy and peace. On a broader scale, our Levis JCC acts as a home base for so many in our community. And while it serves to provide all of the things I just listed, what I personally love best is that it provides a place for all to feel welcome and accepted, for all to enjoy being together, for all to be a part of our warm and caring community. I wish you all chag sameach!

Light candles for Sukkot Wednesday evening at 6:32 pm
Light Shabbat candles Friday evening at 6:31 pm
Shabbat ends Saturday night at 7:23 pm

Chag Sukkot Sameach!
Shabbat Shalom
Am Yisrael Chai!

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Marty