By COLlive staff
Just last week South Florida’s Rabbi Pinny Andrusier of Chabad SW Broward received a call from a distraught father in Brooklyn lamenting over his son’s dire state, beseeching the rabbi for help.
“My teenage son has quit school and traveled with a friend to Florida. He is not taking my calls, I have no idea where he is staying. I heard you are doing Chanukah programs with the Miami Dolphins and Miami Heat. My son loves sports. Would you please reach out to him and request his assistance with the event. You are perhaps my last chance to get through to my son.”
Rabbi Pinny confesses that he often receives such calls and believes he has finally found a solution that can help save the lives of many teenagers and young adults, offering physical refuge, emotional counsel and spiritual direction.
Eighteen months ago, he explains, a magnificent 6.5 acre property literally fell in his lap. “I received an email from the former High Point Drug Rehabilitation Center, that sits directly across the street from our current Chabad property, asking if I was interested in their parcel before it was listed publicly for sale.”
Upon seeing the sprawling campus which currently houses five buildings nestled around a placid lake and features a lovely pool and deck area, Rabbi Pinny immediately envisioned a Jewish oasis that would finally allow Chabad to grow its programs and initiate many new ones — such as a specialized school for young teens needing a more modified curriculum in a more tranquil setting.
Chabad Monterra’s Rabbi Adi Goodman, who oversees all youth and teen activities in the area and is Director of Jewish Life for the growing Posnack Hebrew Day School in Davie adds, “Our Chabad always had the perfect staff that could relate and connect with the ‘millennial’ generation or younger; we just never had the right facility. Now we will!”
In addition to the school, Rabbi Pinny points to each of the five present buildings, which were all just given a clean bill of health by a team of structural and mechanical engineers and the Fire Life Safety Inspector, and sees the campus coming to life almost immediately with an array of services and programs for families and individuals of all ages, all year round.
Aware of Chabad’s global outreach and in admiration of the rabbi’s vision to transform the property into a vibrant center that will cater to so many needs in the region, the seller graciously agreed to lower his asking price and patiently wait for the property to be rezoned from a medical facility to a community center.
In further describing his vision for the unique school he is planning, Rabbi Pinny explained, “I have always had a passion for helping the younger generation stay engaged, connected and excited about their Judaism. The High Point facility used to house more than 80 residents at a time. With the existing buildings still in good condition, featuring a commercial kitchen, giant cafeteria and adequate private rooms with nicely tiled bath and showers that will become a dormitory for out of town students, the campus will be a perfect setting to help fill a dire need in the global orthodox Jewish community rather quickly.”
“So many children are being turned away today from schools and camps, being told they don’t meet the criteria. And we are not talking about children who have already fallen by the wayside to drug and alcohol addiction.”
Rabbi Pinny wryly admitted, “Most likely, even I would have a hard time being accepted in today’s rigid school system. We therefore are looking to create a setting for the ‘average’ child who can certainly fit in but is not being given the opportunity. We hope to instill an appreciation for Jewish heritage, allow these kids the opportunity to enjoy school without all the high expectations and peer pressure.”
“In addition to a traditional school curriculum, the new campus will allow us to offer vocational skills and many additional activities and projects. Surrounded by the local JCC, state of the art parks and skating rinks … we will aim to keep the students involved in athletic exercise and sports leagues while remaining enthusiastic about their studies.”
“The shoe literally fits,” said David Damatov, Chabad SWB’s president. “The way the rehab center is laid out will be a perfect setting for almost all of Chabad’s intended usage. We have verified that only minor repairs and construction will be needed for the first phase of the transformation.”
Phase two calls for a beautiful picturesque sanctuary and wedding hall with a roof-top lounge and party deck overlooking the lake. A women’s and men’s Mikvah are also in the plans.
Located only minutes away from Ft Lauderdale airport, on the western border of Hollywood, Florida, the magnificent Cooper City property is a rural phenomenon tucked behind a forest of oak trees.
Continuing to describe the seemingly endless opportunities, Rabbi Pinny spelled out more plans for the new property: “One of the buildings lends itself perfectly to a pre-school and the current conference center which features eight classrooms, a library and auditorium will be ideal for all our educational programs. Also, the far building on the east end of the property which fronts the scenic lake and hides the pool in the rear will be an ideal option for groups wishing to hold weekend seminar retreats and for families to host Shabbat Bar Mitzvahs, Sheva Brachos and family reunions.”
Cordially given the time to rezone the property since going into contract in the summer of June, 2018, the process certainly wasn’t easy or cheap. Cooper City worked extensively for over a year with architect Craig Ditman and Becker and Poliakoff attorney Jeremy Shir to incorporate all of Chabad’s intended uses and after much toil and resilience, Chabad finally received unanimous approval and final rezoning for the fascinating new campus they wish to soon purchase.
Chabad is receiving unconditional backing from all its neighboring communities and residents. In fact, thunderous applause was sounded when Mosque Leader Alan Baksh of the Nur-Ul-Islam mosque, located across the street, expressed their unwavering support of Chabad’s efforts, citing the long-lasting friendship they have enjoyed with Rabbi Pinny and Chabad for nearly 30 years.
“The community’s universal support is testament to Cooper City’s motto of being ‘someplace special’ and the great work and sterling reputation Rabbi Pinny and Chabad have in the Broward County,” said Mrs. Julia Steiner of Cooper City. “The feedback has been so overwhelmingly positive. People are really looking forward to the future center.”
With the rezoning finalized, Chabad must close soon on the property. Rabbi Pinny is hoping that generous donors will step up to make this incredible opportunity a reality as funds are sorely needed to supplement the loan they are trying to secure from the bank.
VIDEO: New Chabad SW Broward Campus coming soon
Many dedications are available for donors to leave an everlasting legacy. Visit ChabadSWB.com/campus to learn more and see how to be part of this very exciting project for way beyond the borders of South Florida.
May you be Blessed and matzliach!