November 6, 2025

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

Over these past two years, I’ve made a ritual of checking the news from Israel as soon as I sit down at my desk. This week, I came in to discover that another of the deceased hostages was returned to Israel, leaving only six to be found. For many, including myself, each homecoming carries a bittersweet mix of sorrow and hope. I am inspired by the resilience of those who survived, and grateful for the immense strength and compassion our extended Jewish family has shown in helping each other through the trials of these past two years. We will not rest until every last hostage is returned.

This month is National Gratitude Month, and it feels like the perfect time to celebrate the incredible people and programs that make our Adolph & Rose Levis JCC so special. Thank you for coming back week after week and contributing to this vibrant and wonderful community. This week has been a great example of how our Levis JCC offers something for everyone!

This past Sunday, more than 40 families volunteered for our Youth & Family Mitzvah Project @ the J, in partnership with Kindness Matters. Together, they packed over 400 bags of food for local families in need, embodying the spirit of compassion and giving back. On Monday, the first session of “Discover the Artist Within!” took place. The acrylic painting series led by acclaimed artist Deborah Bigeleisen offers participants a unique opportunity to rediscover their creativity through color and composition. On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of joining a sold-out crowd of 640 guests at the 34th Annual Spero Family Book & Author Luncheon at Boca West Country Club. We all enjoyed presentations by authors: Alyson Richman, Zibby Owens, Jacqueline Friedland and Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, who offered powerful and inspiring comments on their work, their experiences as authors, and on the importance of creating platforms and spaces to celebrate Jewish voices and stories. On Wednesday evening we presented our Eastside Tables of 8 event; 36 guests split up into groups and dined at 4 different Mizner Park restaurants before coming together for dessert at Kapow. Today, we welcomed 55 guests to Farmer’s Table for our JBiz Business Networking Luncheon, which featured Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer. What an incredible week of connection and community!

This week's Torah portion is Vayera (And He Appeared) in the book of Genesis, the first in the Five Books of Moses. In it, G-d sends angels to destroy the wicked city of Sodom, where Abraham’s nephew Lot is living. The angels help Lot and his family escape, warning them not to look back as the city is consumed by fire. Lot’s wife disobeys and is turned into a pillar of salt. As our living hostages begin to rebuild their lives in Israel, reuniting with their families, friends, and communities, I pray that they are able to move forward and embrace love, joy, and peace, and of course that soon we will have the remains of all the deceased hostages returned home.

Light Shabbat candles Friday evening at 5:16 pm.
Shabbat ends Saturday evening at 6:09 pm.

Shabbat Shalom
Am Yisrael Chai!

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Marty