Read all about our 2025 success!
Celebrate community — share The J!
August 21 at the Levite Jewish Community Center

Building on last year’s success, the Levite Jewish Community Center will host its 4th annual J’la Gala to benefit our life-changing need-based scholarship program for children and adults. This year’s theme, “Celebrate community — share The J!,” salutes the critical role that The J plays every year in the lives of thousands.

Check out these live auction items!
Donated by the LJCC Governing Board
Enjoy this case of a dozen high-end wines as curated by the experts at International Wines & Craft Beer.
Casa Piena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ’17
A captivating wine that reveals intricate aromas and deeply layered flavors. Its pronounced structure on the palate offers a bright and lively experience. A true expression of its region, it captures the essence of the local terroir. Perfectly paired with fine dining, this wine is a versatile companion to various cuisines.
Fullerton Winery Lichtenwalter Vyd Pinot Noir ’19
Vivid ruby red in the glass. The nose offers up delicious scents of sour cherry, bilberry, and cranberry interwoven with the classic Ribbon Ridge baking spice and red flowers. This is a bright and acid-driven version of Lichtenwalter, with layers and layers of complexity and nuance. You will find mixed berry and cherry co-mingling with damp earth, spice, and floral notes in this very food-friendly wine
Lail Blueprint Sauvignon Blanc (Napa) ’23
The 2023 Blueprint Sauvignon Blanc jumps forth with aromas of citrus zest, green apple, and lemongrass. The texture is creamy and complex, with amazing crispness, bold acidity, and exciting fruit flavors. There is a distinct minerality and fantastic intensity. It is snappy, vivid, zippy and spirited – very much exemplary of the varietal.
Matthew Wallace Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Vly) ’23
The Wallace Ranch is just under 1,000 acres with 100 planted. The cabernet sauvignon here ripens to juicy perfection under morning light and afternoon heat. But the vines are sheltered from the evening sun, giving the site dramatic diurnal temperature swings that balance the wine’s bold fruit with vibrant acidity and refined structure.
Mending Wall Stone On Stone Sauvignon Blanc ’21
This is a sauvignon blanc and semillon blend from Napa. Light green/gold in color, clear, and bright. The nose is slightly grassy with a touch of lemon verbena. Very clean. Medium bodied. Slightly viscous. Good crisp acidity. On the palate, the lemon is a bit more pronounced, with a steely quality. Long finish. Refreshing. This is a very nice white that drinks easy on its own and will work well with lighter foods.
Paul Hobbs Dr Crane Cabernet Sauvignon ’20
Planted on gravelly loam soils on the west side of St. Helena, this distinctive cabernet reveals a rich garnet color and expressive layers of dark cherry, blueberry, clove, and tobacco leaf. The palate presents a superb structure with delicate fine-grained tannins that frame a core of dried fruits and kirsch, leading into the classic Dr. Crane Vineyard spice that intermingles with an intriguing graphite complexity to create a lifted, long, and dusty finish.
Paul Hobbs Goldrock Pinot Noir ’21
The 2021 Pinot Noir from Goldrock Estate expresses the wild elements of its forested site. The nose carries a brooding layer of damp earth with notes of red and black tea edged in bergamot under fragrant dark cherry and blueberries. The palate is complex and alive with a grippy tannin structure backing pure, bright red fruit — raspberry, cranberry, pomegranate — hanging on the midpalate, then cascading in waves across a silky finish. The wine is both rich and defined, turning spicy and savory on its exotically long finish.
Post Parade Stretch Drive Cabernet (Napa) ’19
New limited-release cabernet from Post Parade winery and legendary winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown.This vintage of Stretch Drive is another big winner, showing off a viscous, concentrated palate and expressive, nuanced aromatics. In the glass the wine exhibits a deep purple hue with a dark violet halo. Interwoven aromatic notes suggest currant, loam, pine bough, and lilac. The palate experience offers a pleasing balancing act of dark complex fruit and finely integrated tannin. This bold fruit and structure are complimented by a bright acidity on the back end, drawing out to a long floral finish.
Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauv (Napa) ’22
This cabernet sauvignon from Thomas Rivers Brown is velvety, elegant, and bold. An extended heat spike in 2022 took the token ripeness of Napa Valley up three notches, and the results are juicy, ripe, and ready to drink. The palate is upfront and expressive, with notes of stewed red fruits, chocolate, and herbs. Charming and crowd-pleasing, this is a wine the whole dinner table will enjoy.
Rivers-Marie Chardonnay Bearwallow ’23
Rivers-Marie produces single-variety wines made to reflect the vineyard and vintage from which they came. Owned by Thomas Rivers Brown & Genevieve Marie Welsh, this bottling always has a distinctive yellow fruited character complemented by a saline and roasted nut character.
Rivers-Marie Joy Road Pinot Noir ’22
“Offering a zesty punch, this is nicely done, with red and black cherry paste flavors backed by a briar hint. The mouthwatering finish pulls in singed apple wood and savory notes that further fuel the fruit.” –Wine Spectator
Walter Hansel North Slope Pinot Noir ’21
“The 2022 Pinot Noir from the North Slope Vineyard is quite dark and brooding in feel. Black cherry, plum, spice, leather, lavender, game and mocha add to an impression of somber intensity. Clone 777 Pinot yields a wine of notable breadth here.” –Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
Donated by Idie and Chris Hastings
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to enjoy a seasonally curated tasting menu with wine pairings in the comfort of your home as prepared by James Beard Award-winning Chef Chris Hastings, owner and executive chef of Hot and Hot Fish Club.
Must use by August 21, 2026, in accordance with Chef Hastings’ availability.

Since 1994, Idie and Chris Hastings and their team have developed an extensive network of purveyors, foragers, and artisans. The Hot and Hot Fish Club James Beard Award-winning restaurant is a neighborhood favorite that offers the best ingredients along with gracious service.
- Dinner for four at Bottega (alcohol, tax, and gratuity not included; no major holidays)
- Dinner for four at Blueprint on 3rd (alcohol and gratuity not included)
- Dinner for six at Gianmarco’s with chef’s choice wine
- Gift card for Current Charcoal Grill ($250)
- Dinner for six catered by Southern Graze
- Dinner for four at Cayo Coco along with a bottle of exclusive rum
Donated by Levy’s Fine Jewelry
This thing is gorgeous!
.50 ct (13 br diamonds) tw halo pendant 14 kt wgl 2. gr


Use the 21c Museum Hotel in Louisville as your base for touring Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail.
Getaway includes:
- Four days/three nights’ accommodations at the 21c Museum Hotel Louisville
- All room-related taxes
- A bourbon tour including visits to three distilleries selected from the following: Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, Heaven Hill, Wild Turkey, Stitzel-Weller, Angel’s Envy, Kentucky Artisan/Jefferson’s Reserve, and more.
- Free concierge reservation service
Terms and conditions

Enjoy an unforgettable night of championship spirit and culinary excellence for you and seven friends as you savor a private dinner with legendary basketball coach Bruce Pearl at Automatic Seafood and Oysters (so many pearls!). Sports fans and foodies will equally enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience to swap stories and talk hoops with one of the greatest coaches in college sports history.
Meal will be a three-course tasting menu for eight guests, and wine pairings will be included with each course.
Donated by the Mackintosh Family
This beautiful home is situated on a corner lot overlooking a tranquil pond, with perfect views from the large porches and balconies.

Perfect for a large family getaway, the first floor has a large open floor plan that features fine details like hardwood floors, 12′ ceilings, Wolf and Subzero appliances, and marble countertops. You’ll find two large master bedrooms on the first and second floors, plus two additional guest bedrooms and a bunk room on the second floor. The third floor features six additional bunk beds. Another separate guest quarters is found in the carriage house above the two-car garage. The large outdoor living area is complete with a fireplace and gas grill.
- Five days/four nights
- Sleeps up to 20 in six bedrooms, bunkroom, and cottage suite
- Seven bathrooms
- Address: 241 Red Cedar Way, Santa Rosa Beach, FL
- Access to all WaterColor pools and amenities
- Golf cart included
- Use in 2026 subject to scheduling (blackouts include all major holidays plus March 20-29)

Watch this video walk-through of the property:
New event!
A new event this year will see attendees vie for a $4,000 white gold diamond ring designed by the mother-daughter team of Avani and Rupa Patel and donated by Avani Rupa Fine Jewelers. The simple game will entail buying a $100 entry, and the winner will be announced during the event. All proceeds will benefit The J.

The menu
Appetizers
- Zucchini fritters with lemon aioli
- Smoked salmon crostini with capers, pickled red onion, sliced baguettes, fresh dill
Salad
Heirloom tomato stack with sweet 100’s, corn relish with pink lady peas and caramelized onion, basil with chive relish, balsamic reduction
Main
Dessert
Meet our 2025 J’la sponsors
PLATINUM
Thompson Family Foundation
The Caring Foundation
GOLD










SILVER


















