Temple Beth El’s Lunch and Learn for September features educator Michael Hollander discussing “Israel Votes 2026 — Never Has There Been Such an Important Election,” at noon on four consecutive Tuesdays, Sept. 8-29, on the Schaefer Family Campus in Boca Raton and virtually via Zoom.
Hollander says some of the most popular questions he is asked about Israel are: “Why is the Israeli system of governance so crazy? Why does everything feel like such a ‘balagan’ here?” referring to a state of chaos.
Hollander, a licensed Israeli tour guide and scholar with more than 30 years of experience teaching Jewish history, Zionism, and Israeli society, designed this series to help people understand the nature of Israeli democracy and how the Israeli political system and elections work.
Sessions include “How a People Without Power Became a Powerful People”; “Continued Challenges to Israeli Democracy”; the parties and leaders, platforms and issues in the 2026 election, scheduled for Oct. 27; and what comes after the election.
For more information, call 561-391-8900 or go to tbeboca.org.
Lectio Divina prayer circle at St. Gregory’s church
The Center for Spiritual Formation hosts a prayer circle facilitated by Rosie Sandoval at 10 a.m. Sept. 5 and Oct. 3 in St. Mary’s Chapel at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, 100 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton. This contemplative prayer experience meets for 30 to 40 minutes of Lectio Divina, the ancient Christian practice of using Holy Scripture to center prayer. Beginners are welcome. Contact Sandoval at Rose@rose-sandoval.com.
Rabbis featured in Temple Beth El podcast premiere
Join the audience for the live launch and recording of the podcast “Essential Questions with Soul” at 7 p.m. Sept. 5 at the Schaefer Family Campus of Temple Beth El, 333 SW Fourth Ave., Boca Raton.
Rabbis Dan Levin, Greg Weisman, Laila Haas and Ashira Boxman will explore life’s deepest question: What is the soul? Selichot services, featuring original music by new cantorial associate Todd Herzog, and oneg (social gathering)follow the podcast. Register at tbeboca.shulcloud.com or call 561-391-8900.
Bondi Beach terrorist attack survivor to speak
Leibel Lazaroff, the 20-year-old survivor of the December 2025 terrorist attack at a Chanukah celebration on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, will speak at Boca Beach Chabad’s Souls of Sydney Breakfast at 10 a.m. Sept. 7. The special Labor Day event will feature Lazaroff’s firsthand account of the violent event, followed by High Holiday music.
Lazaroff was helping Chabad of Bondi organize for its “Chanukah by the Sea” celebration on Dec. 14 when terrorists opened fire on the crowd, killing 15 people and injuring dozens more. Lazaroff had been helping a gravely injured police officer before he was shot in the abdomen and leg. He waited 45 minutes for an ambulance.
Since his recovery, Lazaroff has been sharing his story around the country. His message focuses on what Jews choose to do in response to terrorist attacks. The program is part of Boca Beach Chabad’s Souls of Sydney initiative, which hopes to transform the tragedy into positive Jewish action.
The breakfast talk takes place at Boca Beach Chabad Jewish Center, 490 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton.
Reservations are required at BocaBeachChabad.com/SOSBreakfast. Call 561-394-9770 or visit bocabeachchabad.com with questions.
CityLead Boca seeks to inspire business leaders
Boca Raton Community Church hosts CityLead Boca from noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 10, Oct. 8 and Nov. 12 at the church, 470 NW Fourth Ave. This monthly event for the business community is designed to inspire leaders to use their influence to serve others and transform the city.
Reservations are recommended. $20 includes lunch. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for networking. 561-395-2400; citylead.com/boca/.
Feast to fight hunger features Italian cuisine
St. Jude Catholic Church hosts the Feast of San Gennaro, sponsored by the Saint Jude Hunger Program, from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 12 in Mount Carmel Hall at the church, 21689 Toledo Road, Boca Raton.
Enjoy Italian cuisine, beer and wine, music and conversation, raffles and prizes. Tickets for the event are $35 for adults, $12-$15 for children at stjudeboca.org/newsevents or call the church at 561-392-8172.
Biblical conversation explores what is inclusion
Join “A Biblical Conversation With Father Andrew” on two Sundays — Sept. 13 and 20 — following the 10 a.m. service at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, 100 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton.
Father Andrew Sherman invites you to join him for a deep dive into Holy Scripture to explore the biblical conversation regarding inclusion. Meet at 11:45 a.m. in the second-floor conference room. Bring your Bibles. 561-395-8285; office@st-gregorys.com; stgregorysepiscopal.org.
Evensong music steeped in Anglican church tradition
Under the direction of Tim Brumfield, director of music, organist and choirmaster at St. Gregory’s, Choral Evensong is a beautiful service that features the choir performing stirring music steeped in the Anglican tradition. Evensong takes place at 6 p.m. Sept. 27 at the church, 100 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton. 561-395-8285 or stgregorysepiscopal.org.
PJ Library, Levis JCC to host Pizza in the Hut celebration
The PJ Library and Levis JCC host Pizza in the Hut, a Sukkah celebration, from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 29 in Cypress Preserve in the back parking lot of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County campus at 9901 Donna Klein Blvd., Boca Raton. This family event features pizza, arts and crafts, storytelling and games. The cost is $10 per child and reservations are required at jewishboca.org/events/pizza-in-the-hut-sukkah/ or email pjlibrary@jewishboca.org.
Bring Fido, other pets to annual Blessing of the Pets
St. Gregory’s will host its annual Blessing of the Pets at 9 a.m. Oct. 3 on the southwest corner of the church grounds, 100 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton.
All pets are invited. The event highlights the youth group’s annual pet food drive. Bring unopened canned and dry pet food to support shelter pets. 561-395-8285; office@stgregorys.com; stgregorysepiscopal.org.
Newcomers invited to special welcome brunch
Father Andrew Sherman and Anita Sherman welcome newcomers to St. Gregory’s to a special brunch following the 10 a.m. service on Oct. 4. Children are welcome at this event in the rectory, across from the church parking lot at 245 NE Second St., Boca Raton.
Newcomer classes with Father Andrew begin Oct. 11. Classes run five weeks with childcare available for each session. 561-395-8285; office@st-gregorys.com; stgregorysepiscopal.org.
Judge to speak at B’nai Torah Congregation
U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman, a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, will speak at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at B’nai Torah Congregation, 6261 SW 18th St., Boca Raton. As part of the 2026-27 Author Series, he will discuss his book Israel on Trial: Examining the History, the Evidence, and the Law.
Altman was born in 1982 in Caracas, Venezuela, and the Jewish jurist was the youngest federal district court judge in the United States when he was appointed in 2019 to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Altman’s book, using historical, archaeological and genealogical evidence, analyzes the factual accuracy of six claims Israel’s adversaries have advanced about the Jewish state.
Tickets are $18. Registration is required. Register at btcboca.shulcloud.com/form/israel-on-trial or call 561-392-8566.
Buy honey to support Beth Ami Congregation
Congregation Beth Ami in Boca Raton is holding a fundraiser called “Honey from the Heart,” which ships an 8-ounce jar of premium kosher honey to your loved one. The cost: $18 per jar plus $8 for shipping. Proceeds support Beth Ami Congregation. orthoney.com.
Janis Fontaine writes about people of faith, their congregations, causes and community events. Contact her at fontaine423@outlook.com.
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