November 20, 2025

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

This Shabbat message comes to you from Portugal, where Lori and I have spent a powerful week full of insight and connection with our Travel with the J group of nearly thirty. We have been learning about the long, complicated history of the Jews of the Iberian Peninsula. Prior to the expulsions and forced conversions of the Inquisition, there were just over 200,000 Portuguese Jews. Today, the Jewish community persists, small but resilient, with an estimated 5,000–6,000 Jews in a country of nearly 11 million people. I’ve found it deeply inspiring to meet members of the growing communities in Lisbon, Tomar and Porto, and it gives me joy to see that Jewish life continues to grow in every corner of the world.

Back at home, as we have done for more than four decades, our Adolph & Rose Levis JCC continues to be the catalyst for people to create meaningful memories. This past Sunday, our Judy Levis Krug Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival’s Sunday Morning Israeli Film Series screened Shoelaces, an award-winning film that explores the complicated relationship between an aging father and his son, who has special-needs and who he once abandoned. That same morning, young families discovered the magic of our Levis JCC Betty & Marvin Zale Early Childhood Learning Center at the annual Character Breakfast Open House. Participants enjoyed a Mickey Mouse waffle breakfast, met beloved characters, listened to Princess Story Time, and explored fun, hands-on activities and games.

On Monday, esteemed author, photographer and journalist Lihi Lapid opened our A Literary Afternoon Series at the Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center. She shared insights into her creative process and her newest novel, I Wanted to Be Wonderful. The series continues through March and features nine outstanding authors in person. That same day, our Helene & Roy Schwedelson Special Needs department’s Project LIFE program created a very special “Friendsgiving” celebration. The 13 program participants gathered with staff and the administrative team to enjoy all the traditional Thanksgiving sides (the best part!) and being together celebrating friendship. On Tuesday, we brought New York’s iconic 92 Street Y straight to Boca Raton with a livestream of “Tom Freston in Conversation with Jon Stewart: Unplugged,” featuring a lively discussion about Freston’s adventurous life and nontraditional career. Each month this program offers three exciting and noteworthy conversations. I hope you’ll join us – information can be found by clicking here.

This week's Torah portion is Vayatze (And He Left) in the book of Genesis, the first in the Five Books of Moses. In it, Jacob dreams of a ladder connecting heaven and earth, with angels ascending and descending. G-d promises Jacob that his descendants will endure in the land, assuring him, “I am with you… and I will not leave you.” Traveling through Portugal this week and learning its painful history while witnessing the Jewish resurgence, I’ve felt the power of that promise. Across all these generations, our people have persisted, remained connected, and continued to thrive.

Light Shabbat candles Friday evening at 5:11 pm.
Shabbat ends Saturday evening at 6:05 pm.

Shabbat Shalom
Am Yisrael Chai!

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

Marty