Nine Young Shluchim Bring an Unforgettable Shabbos Inspiration to Southwest Florida

by CrownHeights.info

An unforgettable Shabbos filled with Chassidic singing, spirited dancing, Torah study and heartfelt inspiration left the Jewish community of Southwest Florida energized and inspired, following a visit by nine young Shluchim from Yeshivah Dor Hashvi’i in Miami.

The students spent Shabbos, October 23–24, with the community at Chabad Lubavitch of Southwest Florida, under the leadership of Rabbi Yitzchok and Rebbetzin Shani Minkowicz, together with Assistant Rabbi Eliezer Tewel.

From the moment they arrived, the young Shluchim brought an infectious enthusiasm and warmth that quickly spread throughout the Chabad House, transforming an ordinary Shabbos into a memorable celebration of Jewish life.

Even before candle lighting, the students filled the Chabad House with Chassidic melodies and the excitement of Shabbos. Friday evening davening was accompanied by heartfelt singing and spirited dancing, drawing community members of all ages into an atmosphere of Jewish pride and unity.

The energy continued through the Shabbos dinner, which featured delicious food, words of Torah, meaningful conversations and more singing. The gathering continued late into the evening, with the lights eventually going out as the celebration carried on. Despite the late hour, nobody seemed eager to leave.

Shabbos morning began with the students joining community members for the study of Chassidus, sharing the teachings of the Rebbe and the timeless wisdom of Chassidic philosophy. The inspiration continued during Shacharis, as the students once again brought their enthusiasm and beautiful melodies to the tefillos.

Following davening, community members gathered for Kiddush and a Chassidic farbrengen. What began as a traditional Shabbos gathering developed into hours of singing, Torah insights and heartfelt inspiration, continuing until 4:00 p.m.

As Shabbos drew to a close, the community gathered for Mincha and Maariv, followed by Havdalah. The evening concluded with Kiddush Levanah under the Florida night sky, accompanied by more joyous singing and dancing.

Throughout the Shabbos, the students’ sincerity, warmth and dedication to Torah, Chassidus and the Rebbe’s shlichus made a powerful impression on the community.

The impact was perhaps best captured by the reactions that followed. One community member after another approached Rabbi Minkowicz with the same question: “Rabbi, how can we get them to stay?”

With a smile, Rabbi Minkowicz joked that perhaps they should simply take away the students’ car keys.

Behind the laughter, however, was a genuine expression of the community’s desire to experience more of the energy and inspiration the students had brought.

“Our hope and prayer is that one day, G-d willing, we will establish a Yeshivah right here in Southwest Florida,” Rabbi Minkowicz said. “Imagine having young Shluchim learning Torah, inspiring our community, bringing joy to our prayers, and filling our Chabad House with this beautiful energy every single day.”

The nine visiting students were Shneur Weinstein, Avremel Ostrozynski, Menachem Haberman, Moishy Hornbacher, Chaim Yosef Cohen, Shloime Belinsky, Moshe Wagner, Menachem Silver and Mendel Spritzer.

Rabbi Yitzchok and Rebbetzin Shani Minkowicz, together with Rabbi Eliezer Tewel, expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the students for sharing the meaningful Shabbos with the Southwest Florida Jewish community.

The visit served as a powerful reminder of the impact young Chassidim can have when they share their love of Torah and mitzvos with fellow Jews. For the community, the students brought more than singing and dancing; they brought renewed enthusiasm for davening, a deeper connection to Chassidus and a vision of what a thriving center of Torah and Chassidic life could look like in Southwest Florida.

The music may have ended when the students returned to Miami, but the inspiration they left behind continues to shine.