About Rabbi Alon

Temple Beth Am
2250 S Central Blvd
Jupiter, FL 33458
561-747-1109
Fax 561-745-5658

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About Rabbi Alon


Four years ago I gave my first sermon at Temple Beth Am. Sensing the strong expectation for a rapid and far-reaching change, I shared with the congregation the story of my first Marathon training experience. When I decided to run the NY Marathon I used the book "4 Months to a Four-Hour Marathon" as my guide. Exactly 16 weeks before the Marathon I started the training program. The first few days were fine, but at the end of the first week, when I had to run 8 miles on Sunday, my body was not happy. I gathered all my strength and will power and did it. I even ran the 10, 12 and 14 miles on the following Sundays, but the 16 mile long run was my last. Not only could I not run any more, I could hardly walk! Many months later I reread the book to find out what went wrong. As I read it more carefully, and with much more humility, this time I noticed the almost-hidden disclaimer: prior to taking on the 4 months program, one should be running seriously and consistently for at least 6 months, preferably a whole year. It took me a long time to heal from the physical and mental injuries I inflicted upon myself, but I learned the most valuable lesson: running too far too fast rarely brings about the desired result. Looking back at the last four years at TBA, we were right moving slowly and taking the time and effort to strengthen our foundations and to plan for the future. We are on the right path! A few years ago, our Preschool had a visionary and most dedicated Director, a core of talented teachers, a beautiful new building but many empty classrooms. Today we have a waiting list for the next school year, and a teaching staff that keeps collecting educational awards. We always had a solid Religious School, but now we have an innovative and experienced Educator, devoted faculty and over 200 students. Next year our students will continue their Jewish education through 10th grade and ultimately 12th grade. We had a part time Cantorial Soloist, and now we have a full time accomplished Cantor. To develop an innovative Service that suits our congregation, we have been experimenting with different styles of music and top Jewish musicians. It took a while but I think we found it. For next year’s Friday Night LIVE we have engaged Rick Recht and his partner, Sheldon Low. Our Ruach Adult Education program that started this year as a pilot will increase its activity next year and so will the Mishpacha Center. Tuesdays will be a night of learning, with classes in different subjects and much more. There are two main problems with the marathon analogy. The first one is that running is an individual sport, while leading a synagogue is a team effort. Our dedicated office staff, volunteers and lay-leadership work very hard together to fulfill our vision and answer the needs of our growing congregation. The second problem is that marathons have finish lines. We don’t. We will forever strive to improve and innovate and make Judaism as accessible and meaningful as possible. Happy summer, Rabbi Alon Levkovitz P.S. On a personal note, from the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank all of you who acknowledged my 40th birthday, 10th anniversary for ordination and Gali and I becoming citizens.

Message from the Rabbi -November 2009

I vividly remember one of the most exciting days of my military service in Israel. After long anticipation we finally received reliable intelligence about one of the most wanted terrorists. We knew that at a certain point in time he would travel by car from his current hiding place to a new location. It was a rare opportunity to rid the area of one of the most dangerous men who was responsible for the killing of dozens of innocent people.

The tension in the room was unbearable as we were watching the low-resolution image of the car leaving its destiny at the expected time. We knew that the combat airplanes were already in the air locked on the target, waiting for the order to shoot. But the anticipated image of dust followed by a picture of the blown up car never materialized on the screen. As we were watching the car disappearing, unharmed, we learned that the operation was called off at the last moment because the terrorist’s family joined him on the trip.

We were disappointed but not surprised. The IDF has been operating according to an unambiguous ethical code that always sought to minimize what militaries around the world call “collateral damage” of harming non-combatants, even at the price of canceling a well planned operation.

When I read the Goldstone Commission Report that concluded that “Israel committed actions amounting to war crimes, possibly crimes against humanity” during the war in Gaza last year I was appalled. It is well known that hundreds of Israeli soldiers throughout the years gave their own lives to protect the lives of Arab civilians during wars. It is true that the IDF made unfortunate mistakes that caused the death of innocent civilians. And as our tradition teaches us, we must not be indifferent to the loss of life, even the life of our enemies. Yet, mistakes are neither war crimes nor crimes against humanity.

As Col. Richard Kemp, a British Commander, put it in his testimony to the UN:

“...From my knowledge of the IDF and from the extent to which I have been following the current operation, I don't think there has ever been a time in the history of warfare when any army has made more efforts to reduce civilian casualties and deaths of innocent people than the IDF is doing today in Gaza. However, Hamas, the enemy they have been fighting, has been trained extensively by Iran and by Hezbollah, to fight among the people, to use the civilian population in Gaza as a human shield.”

Luckily, Israel is not alone. Many American leaders understand the situation and when necessary come to her defense. Two of these remarkable figures will be our guests in the coming months. On Friday night November 6, at Shabbat Services, Florida Governor Charlie Crist will share his thoughts about Israel from the Bima. On Friday, January 15, Congressman Alcee Hastings will talk about his unequivocal support of our Jewish State. Israel’s image in the world is at a dangerous cross point. It is our obligation to educate ourselves on the issues at stake and know what to answer when confronted.

B’Shalom,

Rabbi Alon Levkovitz