By Baila Olidort – Lubavitch.com
How do parents of a severely challenged 12 year old girl celebrate their daughter’s bat mitzvah?
The question was poignantly relevant for Rabbi Moshe Meir and Pnina Lipszyc, Chabad representatives to Ft. Lauderdale, who have cultivated a lively Jewish community over nearly two decades while raising their special needs children under extraordinary circumstances.
To honor their eldest, Goldie, born mentally impaired and with extreme autism, the Lipszycs chose to have a new Torah scroll written and dedicated for her bat-mitzvah.
Hundreds came to participate in this unusual celebration. An eclectic mix of friends and family members took their turn with the scribe as he dipped his quill into ink, carefully filling the final letters in the Torah scroll, before it was carried under the chuppah to the sanctuary at Chabad of Ft. Lauderdale.
Outside, children had their faces painted. Inside, people danced and dined. Everywhere, warm vibes suggested that this is a community where acceptance, kindness and generosity are valued currency liberally traded to make remarkable things happen.
Guma Aguiar came from Israel with his wife and children to celebrate. “The first time I came to this Chabad center six years ago,” the founder of Leor Energy told the guests, “I had nothing. I knew nothing about Judaism, and didn’t understand a thing of what was going on during services.”
Aguiar, who went on to become a successful entrepreneur, was born to Jewish parents but raised as an evangelical Christian. “I came here because I wanted to try something authentic,” he said, recalling how he walked into the Chabad center one Friday night in search of something missing in his life. He found it in Rabbi Lipszyc’s unconditional acceptance. Aguiar has since returned to his Jewish roots, living in Jerusalem much of the year.
Like Aguiar, many at the Torah dedication/ bat-mitzvah were there having discovered the joy of belonging through Rabbi Lipszyc. Aguiar says that observing the rabbi’s unfaltering devotion to his daughter has been a tremendous inspiration. “Goldi’s come a very long way since we got to know her six years ago. Moshe Meyer has nurtured her with incredible love and patience.”
From the way Rabbi Lipszyc greets an endless stream of visitors to the Chabad center and the Kabbalah Café in Ft. Lauderdale, one would never guess that the 45 year old father of five has twice battled cancer and continues to struggle with his own health while working creatively to build and grow Jewish life in the area.
Today, Chabad of Ft. Lauderdale own three beautifully renovated, well trafficked properties in a residential part of the city. As far as Rabbi Lipszyc is concerned, it’s only the beginning. In an interview with Lubavitch.com, the Chabad representative spoke candidly about his work, his life’s trials and the optimism that keeps him going.
Baila Olidort: What are the most dramatic changes to the Jewish landscape here since you’ve arrived to Ft. Lauderdale 19 years ago?
Rabbi MM Lipszyc: When I started here, some laughed, telling me this isn’t the right place for Chabad. Today we have about 150 people at services on Shabbos, we’ve got a beautiful shul, a mikvah, a preschool, and a kosher sushi café.
Café Emunah has been reviewed by culinary mavens and was also named best teahouse. Where’d the inspiration come from?
It’s a good venue for meeting people, introducing them to kosher cuisine, and to Chabad itself. My idea was to create a space where people open up to accepting the possibilities of the inner self. There’s a nice selection of Jewish mystical literature that people enjoy reading over an organic jasmine or a latte.
What’s your toughest challenge?
My health. I’ve had life threatening illnesses more than once.
When you were 19, you were diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma. Despite medical prognosis that the treatment would make it impossible for you to have children, you finally did, after 10 years of marriage.
I have been blessed with five children. Two sets of twins and a daughter. Three of my children are severely handicapped.
The children are being cared for at home?
Yes. We have them home, but with full time therapy. Some need 24 hour care.
How has this reshaped your reality, your life-perspective?
It’s made me see people differently. I remember the Rebbe once spoke about children with developmental disabilities as having been endowed with special souls. That’s what I see when I look at my children.
Four years ago, you discovered that you had choroidal melanoma, a malignant tumor in your left eye. How are you today?
The cancer was successfully treated. But I lost sight in that eye.
At the same time, four of Chabad of Ft. Lauderdale’s major funders died.
Yes, I hit bottom then, both in my personal life and in my communal work.
What kept you going?
My belief that everything happens by Divine providence. That means that if G-d has given me this life, with these particular challenges, I should be able to handle them, or at least try to do that.
How are you doing now?
I’m alive, I’m ok. I’m doing what I need to be doing for my children and my community, and with the help of people here who appreciate what Chabad has done here, we’ll keep growing.
Your vision?
I’m happy when people come here and find a place where they feel welcome and comfortable. If they come back again and again, I know Chabad of Ft. Lauderdale is doing something right.
Mazal Tov to the entire family!!!
My Rabbi
IS supernatural Rabbi
control of the natural world he is………..
and I have amazement when he Talks of an audience. Chabad Is All For Me Thanks-Moishe Meir U’r The Best
The man is simply amazing – always a smile and a warm welcoming without any trace of his tests. A true role model to emulate.
May he and his family be blessed in abundance – they truly deserve it ALL!
with plenty of baale tshuvah around the world,
I personally met some of them,
A shliach in NC
Rabbi Moishe Meir and, of course, Penina,
You have brought us to love Judaism in such a unique way by your constant acceptance, encouragement and support. You have touched our lives more than you will ever know, to continously give us the strength to strive further and stronger in all aspects of our lives. You are a shining light to this community and we are so honored to be a part of it. Mazal Tov to the entire family!!!
Happy 9th birthday to Gitty, also!! Mazel Tov to everyone…and Bubby Shirley, a real star!
I’ve met him in the past. He is a special man who really cares about the Rebbe’s inyonim and works hard to spread yiddishkeit in his city
I am so moved -hahsem should give special choiches to contiue!
Mazel Tov Moshe Meir, Pnina, Mendy, Goldie & co! We wish we could have been there to celebrate with you! May you only have Simchos & everything EASY bgashmius ubruchnius from now on!!!
the Krinskys Needham
may the grow up to be just like his father, an amazing heart, a good friends and extraordinary rabbi!!
good job moish….ty for everything
mazal tov mendy and goldie happy b-day
Moishe Meir, i wish you only toiv hanirah v’hanigla in the future. Your atiitude is soimething that i was inspired by many times.
Rabbi Lipszyc, thank you for having an amizng attitude, you are an inspiration