Miami-Dade Mayor, the Honorable Carlos Alvarez, joined Yehuda Kaploun-Executive Vice President of the Moses and Aaron foundation, and Ofer Bavli-the Consul General of Israel and Michael Rosenberg in hosting a traditional Chanukah candle lighting event on Monday evening, December 22 in North Miami Beach for the Jewish Community leaders of Miami-Dade.
The program included comments by the Mayor who honored the Jewish community leaders in Miami-Dade and the ‘Lamplighters’-the representatives of the Chabad Lubavitch movement. The Mayor recognized those who help others and help bring light where there is darkness. He paid tribute to the two young Lamplighters who were recently murdered in the Mumbai terrorist attacks, and whose memory continues to serve as an inspiration to their colleagues as symbols of selfless dedication to community service. Florida’s head shliach Rabbi Avrohom Korf presented the mayor and the Consul General with copies of the book ‘The Lamplighter.’
Highlighting the festivities was the lighting of the menorah by Renaisaance Gardens resident, 101-year-old Mr. Irving Cohen, assisted by a special child from Miami-Dade, Yochanan Gittleson. They were accompanied by a choir of the kindergarten class at yeshiva Toras Emes.
Speaking on behalf of the Israeli Government, Consul General Bavli asked that the leaders not forget Gilad Shalit.
Yehuda Kaploun said that the Moses and Aaron foundation, a special fund for children, will be launching a new program for special needs and outstanding children in Miami-Dade, as the foundation’s first major expansion of services, from the tri-state area in to Florida.
The mayor, in his remarks, thanked his co-host and friend, Yehuda Kaploun and Rabbi Yaacov Kaploun for the work they do on behalf of special children nationwide, thanked Mr. Michael Rosenberg for the use of the beautiful facility, and was pleased to recognize the many mayors, police chiefs, judges, county commissioners, and rabbis in attendance for the occasion, including Rabbi Yosef Wineberg.
Yehuda Kaploun thanked the Miami-Dade police department which was represented by Assistant Director Naim Erchat, Chief Randy Heller,
Major Mark Jeter, and the City of North Miami Beach, which was represented by Mayor Marin, Chief Hernandez, and Yitzi Rosenberg from NMB Shmira volunteers.
The organization’s president, Rabbi Yaacov Kaploun, made a presentation to the Mayor, and announced that the Moses and Aaron foundation provided hundreds of gifts to be distributed to local children in need during the holiday season.
The event was held at the Renaissance Gardens in North Miami Beach.
I was very impressed with the care the residents at Renaissance Gardens received. It is wonderful to know that our zikanim (elders) have a place like Renaissance to rely on.
I am well aware of this assisted living facility. It is the only Glatt Kosher ALF is Miami, this is a first rate facility. My mother in-law was there and they treated her with love and respect. It was the best decision we made. Yasher Koach to them and to the Moses and Aaron foundation, what a nice partnership. Moses and Aaron have revolutionized the way we look at and treat OUR special children, and Renaissance Gardens revolutionized the way to respect and treat our parents.