November 30, 2023
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
I am writing this Shabbat message to you from Scottsdale, Arizona, the community I lived in for 7 years before Lori and I relocated to Boca Raton. We are enjoying our time here visiting our son Noah, his fiancée Patricia and our sweet bonus granddaughters, Gabby and Ollie. Though I am on vacation, I never want to miss a Shabbat message. Today is the 7th day of the temporary ceasefire, and thankfully, hostages are still being released. I pray, as I know we all do, that they ALL will return home soon.
In my 19 months as President & CEO of the Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center, I have never used this platform to fundraise. Today, for the first time ever, I am asking for your support. This past Tuesday was “Giving Tuesday,” a global movement with local impact, one that has the capacity to be extremely meaningful for our community. During these troubling times, building a strong Jewish community is more important than ever. On Giving Tuesday, our community came together in generous support of our Levis JCC around the idea that together, we lift each other up and create light that, once shared, strengthens our community and lights up the world.
The Levis JCC is deeply committed to being here for our community for generations to come. As we approach Chanukah – the Festival of Lights—by supporting the Levis JCC, you’re helping us:
- continue to build on more than 4 decades of being the conduit for all in our community to learn, grow, and connect
- assist more families who need financial assistance for preschool, summer camp, and special needs programs
- remain an essential lifeline for those in our area who seek friendship, connection, enrichment, and community
This week's Torah portion is Vayishkach (And He Sent) in Genesis, the first in the Five Books of Moses. In it, Jacobs's name is changed to Yisroel, which means “he who wrestled with G-d” and prevailed. During this time of war and antisemitism, just like our forefather Jacob, we too shall prevail... TOGETHER!
Light candles Friday night at 5:09 pm
Shabbat ends Saturday night at 6:05 pm
Shabbat Shalom
Am Yisrael Chai!
Marty