Chabad of Kendall’s New Building Vandalized, Construction to Continue
Rabbi Yossef Harlig of Chabad of Kendall doubled down, no vandal will deter the completion of the new Shul. Vandalism or not, construction will continue.
“We come to you today with heavy hearts, in the face of a revolting incident that has shaken our beloved Friendship Circle family to its core,” Rabbi Harlig wrote on a GoFundMe page set up after the discovery that a vandal had broken into the construction site of the new Friendship Circle center being built and cut all the electrical wiring. “Our mission has always been clear – to create a safe haven for our special needs community, a place where friendship knows no bounds and dreams are nurtured.”
According to Rabbi Harlig, the vandal struck overnight this week, methodically cutting wires wherever they could be found, slicing overhead wires, ripping our electrical boxes, and doing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages.
“The immediate impact of this senseless act is that our campus, vital for improving accessibility and support for our special needs friends, has been halted as we painstakingly need to re-wire the entire campus,” he explained.
The financial cost is staggering, but Rabbi Harlig was adamant, it will not stop the construction.
“But this will not stop our campus, nor our dedication and commitment to the families we serve. There is so much love in our world, and as we begin to overcome and prevail, take a deep breath, and begin again, we believe in the power of community, in the strength of friendship, and in the boundless compassion of those who care. Together, we can rise above this adversity,” he said.
Following the incident, Rabbi Harlig published a GoFundMe campaign to raise the funds to replace the damaged wiring, as well as invest in a 24-hour security system to protect the building.
To donate to the campaign: Click Here
