300 People Celebrate Opening of Kollel D’Rav Pinchas and Expansion of Chabad of South Broward
by CrownHeights.info
Three hundred people, mainly young men and women under the age of thirty five, celebrated the opening of a new Kollel and the imminent expansion of the major Jewish Center in South Broward, Florida Monday night. The 42nd Annual Dinner of Congregation Levi Yitzchok-Lubavitch/Chabad of South Broward Headquarters took place at the Gulfstream, complete with Gala event in glamour.
Spoken about at the event was the interim expansion of Congregation Levi Yitzchok-Lubavitch/Chabad of South Broward Headquarters, which has a price tag of $5,000,000.
“The long term staggering $33,000,000 mega expansion plan, which includes buying and building a second Campus, will take 7-10 years, and the leadership in the community has resolved that an Interim Expansion, that will take two years to complete, is a necessity, not a luxury,” explained Rabbi Raphael Tennenhaus, the Shliach at Chabad of South Broward. “Joe Kaller, an architect with over 40 years experience, and who has worked with hundreds of Synagogues and Jewish schools, expressed his 110% confidence that the expansion will be completed in 2025.”
A second floor on the East Building of the existing campus will be built directly above a new ground floor addition. Additions on both floors will double the size of the Main Synagogue, create hallways and foyers, and will add four new classrooms. These four extra classrooms will enhance the Preschool, Seminary, Hebrew School and Day Camp, which all have long waiting lists.
The interim expansion of the building will also gives space for the new Kollel D’Rav Pinchas, which is opening next Monday, Tzom Gedaliah.
CTeen South Broward will also enjoy and benefit from the extra space because their activities usually occur in the evening when there is services going on and it requires planning and switching things around in order to facilitate seating. Mincha – Maariv is often redirected to a Seminary classroom in the West Building.
“With this extra classroom space it should streamline the activities, and help with some of the “one on one” attention that is needed for the Friendship Circle of South Broward and the Bar and Bas Mitzvah Club classes,” Rabbi Tennenhaus said. “The Chaya Aydel Teachers’ Seminary will also be able to re-institute the learning programs with the local women. They had to stop this program a few years ago because the Minyanim were too big and there was no room.”
The Dinner took place Monday, 25 Elul – an impressive Hakhel Gathering – on September 11, at the Flamingo Room Banquet Hall at the Gulfstream.
Honored at the event were Ephraim and Zisi Kaufman, the MVP Award winners, Zalman and Shterna Notik, the winners of the Young Leadership Award, and Natasha Ben-Aim who won the Aishes Chayil – Woman of Valor Award.
The dinner was chaired by Shui Kastel, who, as always, was sharp and humorous alongside his Co-Chairmen Bernie Friedman, a longtime Partner in Becker Law Firm & Past President of the Posnack JCC, and Senator Steve Geller, the Broward County Commissioner and Former Broward Mayor.
Entertainment at the event included famed singer Eli Marcus – who inspired the honored guests with both an incredible mid-dinner performance, as well as a post Dinner Kumzits.
The Rebbe’s chapter in Tehillim was recited by the Head Shliach of Alabama, Rabbi Yossi Posner. The Rebbe’s Letter, addressed to this same Congregation Levi Yitzchok-Lubavitch in Hallandale for their 11th Annual Dinner, (and the last letter the Rebbe ever signed on Monday, 27 Adar Rishon, 5752) was read by Chabad’s Administrator in Hallandale since 1988, Rabbi Moshe Schwartz.
Nosson Zand added to the Simcha with an incredible song/rap of his own, and Eli Marcus also sang G-d Bless America to commemorate 9/11.
To assist in the imminent expansion of Chabad of South Broward Headquarters, please click here- Dedications of all Levels are available: https://www.chabadsouthbroward.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/5591088/jewish/Expansion-Donate-Page.htm
A special thank you was given to the Dinner Committee and to the entire staff of the Main Office of Chabad of South Broward, which includes ten Shluchim and Shluchos.
“Mrs. Adina Lerman turned the Banquet Hall into the Botanical Gardens, with her incredible and beautiful flower arrangements,” Rabbi Tennenhaus said. “Eli Marcus was the life and soul of the evening, Shalom Lieberman was phenomenal on the keyboard, and Choni Teitelbaum, AV, as always, provided great sound and music. A huge thanks for the content to Shamai Chein of 321 motion. He provided stunning screens and VJ.”
This memorable Event was produced and directed by Dovid Weinbaum of DW productions.
The Event was the success that it was thanks to Rebbitzen Goldie Tennenhaus, Rabbi Moshe Schwartz, Rabbi Mordy Feiner, Rabbi Abba Perelmuter, Mrs. Chana Eliyahu and Malka Phillips.
Photography by Mendel Mish
