October 23, 2024

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

It is nice to be back in South Palm Beach County after celebrating my son and daughter-in-law’s wedding in Phoenix, Arizona last week. It was extra special to share that experience with our two new granddaughters as well, Gabriela and Olivia. As I look back at the weekend, certain moments really stand out to me, such as when we were eating breakfast at a community table and a woman overheard us speaking about the wedding. She quietly paid for breakfast for the six of us and left us a beautiful note. It is so heartwarming, at a time when we see so much ugliness in the world, that every now and again people surprise us with their graciousness, generosity and even love. I also took the time to explain to my granddaughters why I take pride in giving tzedakah when someone in need comes asking me for help.

Here at our Adolph & Rose Levis JCC, this past Sunday, the Judi & Allan Schuman Museum Gallery welcomed more than 100 people to the opening reception of the WITVA (Women in the Visual Arts) presents MUSE Exhibition, sponsored by Clearlyderm Dermatology. This annual juried mixed media exhibition spotlights artworks including paintings, sculptures, photography, collage, prints and jewelry. The exhibition runs through November 27. Visit our gallery Monday- Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Plus, on Tuesday afternoon, 150 young families and our Helene & Roy Schwedelson Special Needs Department After School Enrichment Program participants gathered for Snacks in the Sukkah with PJ Library. Sponsored by Junior Smiles, the event provided a fun-filled afternoon with arts and crafts, storytelling, Sukkot fun and more!

This week’s Torah portion is Bereshit (In The Beginning), the first chapter in Genesis, the first in the 5 books of Moses. In it, G-d creates the world in six days. On the first day He makes darkness and light. On the second day He forms the heavens, dividing the “upper waters” from the “lower waters.” On the third day He sets the boundaries of land and sea and calls forth trees and greenery from the earth. On the fourth day He fixes the position of the sun, moon and stars as timekeepers and illuminators of the earth. Fish, birds and reptiles are created on the fifth day; land animals, and then the human being, on the sixth. G-d ceases work on the seventh day, and sanctifies it as a day of rest. Here in South Florida, as we have been grappling with hurricanes, tornadoes and the like, we come to appreciate the gifts and miracles that make up our Earth. I hope you join me in appreciating the great gift of Shabbat—the day of rest. All of this, weddings, anonymous gifts, tzedakah and creation give us a sense of gratitude for all we have been given and are blessed with.

Light Shabbat candles Friday evening at 6:25 pm
Shabbat ends Saturday night at 7:17 pm

Wishing you all a Happy Simchat Torah
Shabbat Shalom
Am Yisrael Chai!

If you would like to support the Levis JCC and its programs and services, click below.

Marty