Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
It is hard to believe that it has been three years since October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists invaded Israel on Simchat Torah—a day of joy and celebration—and killed 1,200 people, kidnapping 251 others. The world hasn’t been the same since. Israel is still at war with Hamas. Iran’s threat continues to loom over the Middle East and the world. Antisemitism has risen at a seemingly exponential rate, and Israel continues to defend itself against missiles and rockets, only for its reputation to suffer. Three years later, and we are still asking ourselves what comes next and what we can do.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
I can’t believe that it is already October. While August seemed to pass slowly, September breezed by. With the first days of Sukkoth already behind us, I am hoping that Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah bring additional breezes and, perhaps, fewer thunderstorms. Of course, I’m thrilled with whatever weather Autumn throws our way because October also means the start of Major League Baseball’s postseason. Though my beloved Boston Red Sox were eliminated in the first round, I am looking forward to watching the rest of the playoffs unfold throughout the month.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
Yom Kippur calls on us to reflect, seek forgiveness, express gratitude, and recommit ourselves to being better people, family members, friends, and community members.
As part of this observance, we fast, and at nearly 63 years old, I can tell you that fasting on Yom Kippur feels a little different than it did when I was 23. What wasn’t different was continuing a family custom started by my grandfather. He always broke his fast with a shot of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, and I continue that tradition in his honor. I am reminded that traditions, whether religious or family-based, help connect us to our past and strengthen our sense of belonging. That connection is especially meaningful as we move from Yom Kippur into the joyful celebration of Sukkot.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
We are well into the Ten Days of Awe, the sacred period of repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. When taken seriously, it's an incredibly humbling period, and it has come to be one of my favorite holiday traditions. During this time, we must seek forgiveness from G-d, but—even harder than that—we must seek forgiveness from each other. As far as I know, G-d doesn't answer back, but it’s not so simple to look the people we care about right in the eye and take responsibility for our mistakes. The Talmud instructs us to ask those we’ve hurt for forgiveness three times. If they still refuse, we must accept that we’ve done all we can to make amends. It is a cleansing and often emotional experience. So now, I want to turn that reflection toward you, our community, and ask forgiveness from anyone I may have offended. Please accept my sincere apology.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
Lori and I just returned home from a very special visit with our daughter Danielle and her husband Colin. While we were away, our two granddaughters received their Hebrew names in a beautiful Simchat Bat ceremony conducted by their rabbi. The occasion was made even more meaningful because Colin officially converted and became a member of the Jewish people. Sitting in the synagogue behind our grandchildren as they received their Hebrew names and celebrating their father’s commitment to Judaism, I found myself reflecting on all the years I spent sitting beside my parents at synagogue and, later, beside my own children. As a grandparent, watching yet another generation embrace our traditions, and witnessing Colin choose to join our Jewish family in such a profound way, filled me with tremendous gratitude and joy. As we celebrate Rosh Hashanah and enter a new year, I am reminded of how important these family memories are. May each of you and your families have a happy, healthy, and sweet new year, and may you be inscribed in the Book of Life.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
This week, Lori and I traveled to St. Louis to witness and celebrate our son-in-law Colin’s induction as an official member of the Jewish people. Conversion is a long and demanding process, and we are extremely proud of Colin and his religious journey. Although he has been a longstanding and beloved member of our own family, we are excited to finally welcome him into our global Jewish family. Lori and I are also thrilled to enjoy Labor Day weekend with Colin, Danielle, and our granddaughters, making this trip – already so special – even more meaningful.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
After the whirlwind trip in which Lori and I moved my mom across the country, I am so grateful to finally be home in Boca Raton. Though we’re still in the “dog days” of August and our snowbirds have yet to return, things are picking up here at our Adolph & Rose Levis JCC. Having completed several months of a very thoughtful and positive planning process, September 1 begins our new fiscal year, and I am excited for all that our JCC has to offer our South Palm Beach County community.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
Last week, Lori and I helped my mom pack up the Queens co-op that she’s lived in for over 27 years. Together, we traveled to Gilbert, Arizona, where Mom is now settled in her new home at an assisted living facility. Though these past few days haven’t been easy, it is a great comfort for all of us that my son and his family are very nearby and will be visiting her regularly. Each season of life seems to come with changes, and this has been no exception. As I return home to Boca Raton, it is with comfort, knowing that my mother is settled and ready for her next chapter to unfold.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
Today is what would have been my dad's 97th birthday. He’s been gone for 28 years, but I still think about him every single day. He lives on in me, in my family’s memories of him, and through my grandson Otto, who was named in his honor. May his neshama (spirit) have an aliya (a lifting in the hereafter). It’s also a big week for my mom, who is leaving her home in Forest Hills, Queens, after more than 27 years. It’s an emotional time for all of us, but Lori and I will be there every step of the way as she settles into her new apartment in an assisted living facility just two miles from our son’s home in Gilbert, Arizona. While it is a significant change, it is also a new beginning, and we are excited to have her closer to family.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
I'm writing to you from Toronto, Ontario, where the JCC Maccabi Games are being held for the first time in forty years. It’s an honor to be here, supporting our delegation of young athletes and one reporter as they represent South Palm Beach County at this remarkable sporting event, where approximately 3,000 Jewish teen athletes from around the globe attend the world’s largest Jewish youth sporting event. The JCC Maccabi Games offers Olympic-style sports competitions, including opening and closing ceremonies; community service; social and cultural events. It has been truly wonderful here in Toronto, where we have experienced a thriving, welcoming, and generous community, and I am so grateful for all the families, staff and leadership who made it possible for these young Jewish athletes to compete and connect with their peers from all around the world.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
As a devoted baseball fan, this is one of my favorite times of year. With the MLB trade deadline just around the corner, I am eager to see how my beloved Red Sox position themselves for the remainder of the season. But I’m not just excited about the major leagues. This weekend, I’ll have the privilege of traveling to Toronto with our Team Boca delegation’s boys baseball team for the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games. It’s the first time in quite a few years that a team from Boca Raton has competed in baseball at the games, and I couldn’t be prouder of our young athletes as they represent our community both on and off the field.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
Although I was born and raised in New York, I’ve been a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan. This week, my beloved Sox matched the longest winning streak in franchise history, tying a record set 80 years ago. While the streak came to an end yesterday with a 5-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, it was a reminder of how far talented people can go when working toward a common goal.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
This Shabbat message comes to you following the Major League Baseball All-Star break, which concluded with the American League’s exciting victory over the National League in the All-Star Game. As a lifelong Red Sox fan, I’m thrilled to see my team enter the second half of the season riding a nine-game winning streak. There’s a lot more ball to play, but it’s looking like they’ll have a shot at sneaking into the playoffs this year. I’m hoping they’ll keep the momentum going!
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
One month in, the FIFA World Cup tournament continues to make headlines. This week alone, Lionel Messi set three new records, becoming FIFA’s all-time leader in assists and knockout-stage goal contributions. Unfortunately, the USA team was eliminated after a steep loss to Belgium. With just ten days remaining until a champion is named, I look forward to watching the tournament unfold.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
It’s been another big week for sports, with LeBron James leaving the LA Lakers after eight seasons, Serena Williams’s return to the singles arena at Wimbledon, and the FIFA World Cup knockout round underway, with the remaining teams battling for the title. But here at home, the most exciting news is my mom’s upcoming birthday. On Sunday, she turns 84, and I feel incredibly grateful and blessed to have her in my life. Happy birthday, Susan Haberer!
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
Lori and I have just completed what has become our annual pilgrimage to visit Noah and his family in Arizona, and we even took a road trip to San Diego. We made an amazing weeklong celebration of Father’s Day, enhanced greatly by our additional celebrations of Gabby and Ollie’s birthdays. Baby Otto is doing wonderful and enjoyed his first outings to the beach and the zoo, and I was thrilled we were once again there to watch Gabby participate in a dance competition. I am so proud to be their grandfather, and it was such a fabulous way to spend Father’s Day.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
It’s been an exciting week for sports fans. The New York Knicks ended their 53-year championship drought with an incredible victory, South Florida’s own Lionel Messi tied the record for the most FIFA World Cup goals, and sisters Serena and Venus Williams announced that they will once again play together at Wimbledon, pursuing their seventh title as a pair. While my beloved Vegas Golden Knights lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final, it was an impressive season, and I look forward to cheering them on next year!
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
This Shabbat message comes to you at the end of a wonderfully exciting week. On Tuesday, our Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center’s Board Chair, Mark Gotlieb, eight former Levis JCC Presidents, and I gathered for our annual dinner. Each year, as our agency’s past and present leadership dine together and discuss the success of our Levis JCC with such passion and engagement is truly heartening. We all care deeply about our community and look forward to watching it continue to thrive and grow.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
This Shabbat message comes to you following a burst of inspiration after watching the Las Vegas Golden Knights defeat the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night. As exciting as it was to cheer on our Florida Panthers during their championship runs these past two seasons, I think it’s time to let you in on a little secret: I now find myself rooting for the Golden Knights. Eight years ago, I had the privilege of watching the Golden Knights compete in the Stanley Cup Final during their inaugural season. It was an extraordinary moment in sports history, and—while they lost that year—the memory has stayed with me. They’ve since won two Stanley Cups, and I remain hopeful that the third is soon on its way!
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
This week, Lori and I are in St. Louis with our daughter, Danielle, and our son-in-law, Colin, for a very special visit. We are meeting Fiona Leigh, our newest granddaughter, for the first time! She and her sister, Emi Lou, and cousins Otto Henry, Ollie, and Gaby bring our family so much joy! With two new grandchildren born just a few short months apart, Lori and I are filled with gratitude and feel so incredibly blessed.
