Seminary Cheers Elderly on Purim

by Reuven Arazi

For the thirty-first consecutive year, Chabad of South Broward distributed thousands of Shalach Monos – Purim food gift baskets, to every Jewish resident in hospitals, nursing homes, retirement homes and schools throughout South Broward.

This year, a major part of the most meaningful and heartwarming campaign was carried out by the students of the Chaya Aydel Seminary, and Rabbi Yossy Lebovics, the principal of Florida’s only Jewish Teacher’s College in Florida.

Although the young ladies of the Seminary are generally studying, whether the intricate details and logic of the Talmud, or courses on Educational Psychology, the College, in its ninth year of existence, is also involved with various community projects, including bringing the joy of Purim to the less fortunate and to as many children as possible.

This year, the Seminary students and Chabad staff and volunteers went in Purim costumes to joyfully give out Shalach Monos to children from Temple Solel, Temple Beth El , and Temple Sinai, to residents of the Orange Blossom Retirement Home, to a number of Memorial Hospitals, to Golf Crest Nursing Home, Hollywood Hills Nursing Home, Seaside Retirement, Midtown Manor, Emerald Park Retirement, Lincoln Manor Retirement, Peninsula and many others. All told, Chabad visited 23 facilities in South Broward alone.

Rabbi Raphael Tennenhaus, Chabad’s executive vice president, thanks everyone who helped sponsor, pack and distribute the Purim gift packages. Chabad of South Broward Headquarters, located in Hallandale Beach, is home to over forty institutions and programs, and oversees 12 Chabad Centers in South Broward. “The smiles we put on peoples faces were priceless! There were thousands who attended Megillah readings and Purim carnivals and feasts at Chabad Centers throughout Broward County, but the biggest Nachas (pride) we get from Purim, is the joy we bring to those who are less fortunate. This is how the Rebbe (the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M Schneerson, zt”l), educated and trained us,” Rabbi Tennenhaus remarked.

Founded as the first Chabad House in Broward and Palm Beach Counties in 1980, Chabad of South Broward, leaders in Jewish education, outreach and social services, will celebrate their 30th Annual Dinner this Sunday, March 27th, with Cocktails at 5 PM and Dinner at 6 PM. The Dinner will honor Ethan Bortnick, as Child of the Decade, Andre Dawson as Humanitarian of the Year, Endi Tennenhaus as Eishes Chayil – Woman of Valor, and Suzzane Friedman, as Parent of the Year.