November 24, 2022

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

I’m excited to be writing this Shabbat message to you 3 days before Thanksgiving, which is when you will receive it. Noah, our 26 year old son, came in on Sunday and it’s been wonderful to once again fill our “empty nest” with the young man that we love so much. Along with Noah, we have been spending time with lifelong friends and we really are beginning to feel at home. Speaking of home, our renovations continue to progress with the pool deck now completed - next up the pool!

By the time you read this, we will have hosted our 14th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk at South County Regional Park this morning. Part of our Paul Markhoff Racing with the J program, this race has become a favorite Thanksgiving tradition in our community! This year we anticipate approximately 1,600 participants, which may be a new record. I hope you and your flock joined in the fun, “Huffin’ & Puffin’ for that Gravy & Stuffin’!”

This week’s Torah portion is Toldot (Generations) in the book of Genesis, the first in the five books of Moses. In it, God tells Rebecca that “there are two nations in your womb”. This begins the complicated and seemingly never ending competing interests of the Israelite’s and the Edomite’s. Jacob races to get ahead of his brother Esau and emerge with Isaac’s blessing & inheritance…which Esau trades for some red lentil stew.

Life is filled with competition which sometimes can drive us to achieve at the highest levels while at other times may consume us, forcing us to lose sight of what is really important...to love our neighbors as ourselves. This Thanksgiving we hope you came to trot with us for a little friendly competition, a lot of fun, and felt the warmth of our Levis JCC community.

Wishing you all a Happy & Healthy Thanksgiving.

Light Shabbat Candles Friday night at 5:10 p.m.
Shabbat ends Saturday night at 6:05 p.m.

Shabbat Shalom,

Marty