December 29, 2022

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),

This is the last Shabbat message of our secular year – I can’t believe it! For me, 2022 seemed to come and go in the blink of an eye. It was a remarkable year for my wife Lori and me, as well as for our children. Our daughter, Danielle, and her husband Colin welcomed our first grandchild earlier this year, and Lori and I are so happy to be traveling to St. Louis to be with them this coming weekend. Our son, Noah, recently became engaged and we are very excited to welcome lovely Patricia and her two daughters to our family. This past year has brought us so many special personal moments! Professionally, I began interviewing to become CEO of your Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center in January, was hired in February, and began work here in early April. These past few months have brought me endless opportunities to meet wonderful leaders, staff, community members, partners, program participants, and prospective members.

Now almost 9 months into the job, I reflect on our Levis JCC with such pride. Executive, administrative, and some program offices relocated to the North side of our campus in August, and we continue to make the expanded space our home. Our Betty & Marvin Zale Early Childhood Learning Center (still located in the same building it has occupied for many years) is setting records for admissions, as are our Marleen Forkas Camps summer programs. Recently, our Paul Markhoff Racing With the J Turkey Trot 5K Race/Walk set a record with almost 1,800 participants on Thanksgiving Day. Our Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center offers 276 programs for our community -- almost a program for every day of the year excluding Shabbat. Building on this energy and momentum, our leadership and staff continue to examine how we can increase our outreach and engagement and provide even more meaningful experiences for our rapidly growing community.

This week’s Torah portion is Vayigash (Approached) in Genesis, the first book in the Five Books of Moses. In it, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and they all make amends after 22 years of separation. Jacob and his family of 70 travel to Egypt and remain in Goshen where they prosper, even during the famine. As we “approach” the New Year of 2023, my wish is that we are similarly blessed to be able to resolve conflicts and endeavor to contribute to a more peaceful, healthier and loving community, country and world.

Light Shabbat candles on Friday night at 5:20 pm
Shabbat ends on Saturday night, New Year’s Eve, at 6:16 pm

Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year, and Shabbat Shalom!

Marty