The auto transport trucks have all but disappeared — and so have many of your neighbors. But just because the traffic has died down doesn’t mean the Jewish events calendar is dying with it.
Forget about binge-watching “Unorthodox” or new Israeli show “Bad Boy” on Netflix and, instead, join your local community for fun events, ranging from film screenings and book discussions to art tours and musical performances. You can even do a summer mitzvah by volunteering to help students prepare for a new school year.
Here’s a roundup of Jewish happenings in Palm Beach and Broward counties to help keep your schedules busy all summer long.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Summer Film Series: From June 4 through Aug. 27, the Judy Levis Krug Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival’s summer series is featuring movies including “93Queen” about a Hasidic lawyer and mother who creates an all-female ambulance corps, and “Menashe,” a 2017 film about a widower fighting for custody inside an ultra-Orthodox community. Enjoy the films at 1 p.m. Wednesdays at the Levis JCC Sandler Center, 21050 95th Ave. S., Boca Raton. Visit levisjcc.org.
B&P Networking Event: Connect with other Jewish professionals across various industries while enjoying drinks and light snacks during a Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s Business & Professionals event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 11 at Garden District Taproom, 410 Evernia St., Suite 119, West Palm Beach. Cover is $36 and includes self-pour drinks and light snacks. Visit jewishpb.org.
Sweet Summer Series with PJ Library: Bring the kids and enjoy ice cream and stories with PJ Library and their Israeli ShinShinim from 4 to 6 p.m. June 12 at Carvel, 255 NE Spanish River Blvd., Boca Raton. Other dates for the series are July 16 at Lily’s Handmade Ice Cream, 4900 Linton Blvd., No. 4, Delray Beach; and Aug. 6 at Sloan’s Ice Cream, 9690 Glades Road, Suite 350, Boca Raton. To RSVP or for more information, contact pjlibrary@bocafed.org or visit jewishboca.org/events.
Food Truck Family Shabbat: Stop by the Mandel JCC Palm Beach Gardens, 5221 Hood Road, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 20 and 27 for a family food truck night, complete with kids’ activities and Shabbat candle lighting. The event is free and open to the public, with food available for purchase. Visit pbg.jcconline.com.
The Josef Gingold Chamber Music Festival: Enjoy a showcase of music by Jewish composers, including David Stock, Erich Korngold, John Williams, and Felix Mendelssohn on July 8. The free performance starts at 7 p.m. at the Levis JCC Sandler Center, 21050 95th Ave. S., Boca Raton. Visit levisjcc.org/culture.
Sisterhood Book & Brunch: Join Sisterhood and Rabbi Laila Haas for mimosas and a brunch catered by The Sticky Bun from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 13 at Temple Beth El – Schaefer Family Campus, 333 SW Fourth Ave., Boca Raton. The featured book is “The Third Daughter” by Talia Carner. Cost is $36 for members and $42 for guests, with prices increasing on July 3. Registration closes on July 9. Visit tbeboca.org/sisterhood.
Kohl Jewish Volunteer Center Back-to-School Backpack Build Initiative: If you are looking to volunteer this summer, join Kohl JVC, in partnership with the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, for their annual event on July 15 and Aug. 4. Volunteers of all ages will come together to fill backpacks with school supplies for Palm Beach County children at Title 1 schools. The event will take place at Red Apple Supplies, 1515 Barton Rd., Lake Worth. Visit jewishpb.org.
An Afternoon at the Boca Raton Museum of Art: Head to the Boca Raton Museum of Art, 501 Plaza Real, for a tour with the Levis JCC Sandler Center and the Judi & Allan Schuman Museum Gallery on July 17. The event starts at 12:15 p.m. with a tour of the “Glasstress Boca Raton 2025″ exhibit, followed by a screening of “Dawn of Impressionism: Paris, 1874.” Cost: $25. Visit levisjcc.org/culture/art.
Shabbat Family Pool Party: Make a splash at the JCC family twilight swim party, set for July 18 at Mandel JCC Palm Beach Gardens, 5221 Hood Road; and July 25 at Mandel JCC Boynton Beach, 8500 Jog Road. Both events are free and open to the public, with food available for purchase. Visit pbg.jcconline.com or bb.jcconline.com.
Boca Ballet Theatre’s “Summer Breezes”: As part of Levis JCC summer programming, attend the show at 2 p.m. Aug. 3 at Countess de Hoernle Theatre at Spanish River High School, 5100 Jog Road, Boca Raton. Group will meet in theater lobby at 1:45 p.m. Cost: $40. Visit levisjcc.org/culture.
Jewbilee: If you are looking for ways to get more involved with the Jewish community, consider attending the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s Jewbilee on Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mandel JCC Boynton Beach, 8500 Jog Road. This fair showcases what the local community is doing and offers support for getting involved. Attendees can expect resource booths along with family friendly activities. Free. Visit jewishpb.org.
The 15th Annual Cocktails for JARC: This event, which celebrates JARC Florida, a nonprofit organization that provides support for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 19 at Good Night John Boy, 33 SE Third Ave., Delray Beach. Cost: TBA. Visit jarcfl.org.
Shahar Cohen: The comedian known for hit videos portraying Israelis and Jews around the world presents his “My Life” Comedy Experience at 7 p.m. Aug. 20 at Boca Black Box, 8221 Glades Road., Suite 10, Boca Raton. Shahar takes audiences on a journey, using comedy to tell the story of being an Israeli and the differences between local Jewish communities and Israelis. Tickets start at $43. Visit bocablackbox.com.
BROWARD COUNTY
Pride Shabbat: Celebrate Pride Month with a special Pride Shabbat at Temple Sinai of Hollywood, 1400 N. 46th Ave., on June 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. English, Hebrew and Torah readings will be available. To participate in the event, contact Hillary Josephs at 954-665-7024 or HillaryHollywood021@gmail.com.
Stonewall Pride Parade: The annual Wilton Manors parade, which celebrates the historic Stonewall riots, is back this year with food, music and vendors on June 14. Temple Beth El of Boca Raton will be joining the parade with walkers and a decorated vehicle. The festival begins at 3 p.m., with the parade starting at 8 p.m. All walkers must arrive by 6 p.m. 2435 N. Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors. To join Temple Beth El, register at tbeboca.org.
Yohay Sponder: The Israeli comedian is performing two shows at Fort Lauderdale’s The Parker, 707 NE Eighth St., on June 15 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Sponder is known for his Israeli comedy, “Funny Monday,” and his comedic takes on identity, faith and being a self-loving Jew. Cost: Tickets start at $47.20. Visit parkerplayhouse.com.
Songs in the Chapel: Enjoy the music of Grammy-nominated songwriter Elsten Torres, award-winning songwriter Cecilia St. King, and producer Jeff Jacob (who has worked with artists such as Gene Simmons, Bryan Adams and Loretta Lynn) at 7 p.m. June 28 at Temple Beth El of Hollywood, 1351 S. 14th Ave. Cost: $15 for members; $20 for nonmembers. Visit templebethelhollywood.org.