December 18, 2025

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

This week was one of immense sadness. The combination of the deadly attack at Brown University, followed by the heartbreaking terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, and the tragic deaths of Hollywood icons Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner left many of us feeling overwhelmed, distressed, and truly sorrowful. These have been dark days indeed. Collectively we grieve for the victims and their families. Chanukah – a holiday festival of light -- is meant to be a celebration of heritage and perseverance. Against all odds, the Maccabees prevailed against the Seleucid army, protecting their Jewish ideals and identities with faith, courage, and determination. May the remainder of this Chanukah celebration remind us of the power of resilience, even in difficult times, and may it bring us comfort and light.

In the darkest of times, it helps to look to the future, and here at our Adolph & Rose Levis JCC, our Betty & Marvin Zale Early Childhood Learning Center preschool students have been enjoying Chanukah all week! They have learned about the holiday through food, holiday crafts, stories, dreidel sensory play, and music with Dr. Emily. It has been a tremendous joy to see our classrooms filled with curiosity and light as the children celebrated our age-old traditions. Our Helene & Roy Schwedelson Special Needs Department has also been sharing in the holiday spirit. Last Sunday, thirty adult participants in our Schwedelson Sunday Social Scene participants enjoyed their annual holiday party at the Cheesecake Factory. The festivities continue with our Paul Markhoff Otzar Sunday School Chanukah celebration this coming Sunday, and our Project L.I.F.E. Chanukah family gathering on Monday.

This week's Torah portion is Miketz (At The End) in the book of Genesis, the first in the Five Books of Moses. In it, Joseph's imprisonment comes to an end when he is called to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, warning that there will be seven years of famine following those of abundance. Due to Joseph’s foresight, Egypt prepares for the famine and becomes a source of sustenance both for itself and neighboring communities. There are many ways to sustain each other through tough times. During this holiday season and throughout the year, I hope we can all continue our long tradition of providing for one another. As a community, we must come together in strength, kindness, and with compassion, teaching our children to do the same.

Light Shabbat candles Friday evening at 5:14 pm.
Shabbat ends Saturday evening at 6:10 pm.

Shabbat Shalom, chag sameach
Am Yisrael Chai!

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Marty