By COLlive reporter
The saddest day on the Jewish calendar was particularly mournful for Jewish residents in Hollywood, Florida.
On Tuesday morning, congregants prayed at the Hollywood Community Synagogue – Chabad Lubavitch and recited the kinos lamentations, as customary on the Tisha B’Av fast day.
And then, they packed up the synagogue’s prayer books, furniture and belongings. This was their last day at the one-story building on the 3,912 square foot property at 2215-2221 North 46th Avenue.
After many months of bank negotiations, the institution registered as Hollywood Community & Synagogue Inc. was not able to meet the bank’s demands to clear a debt of $485,000.
With their eviction date set for Wednesday, August 6, the synagogue’s spiritual leader Rabbi Joseph Korf and his congregants said goodbye to the location that helped them grow spiritually and was a second home for many.
The synagogue was founded by Rabbi Korf and his wife Elisheva Korf who have been active in the Jewish community for over 24 years. They opened the center to serve as a beacon of Torah study and a social venue used by hundreds of people.
Mrs. Korf recently resigned from her successful practice as a wig stylist for religious Jewish women in Broward County to become the full-time activity director of the synagogue.
“Every Jewish holiday was brought alive by the Korfs and the Hollywood Community Synagogue,” said Vivian Rivera who was a member with her husband Eddy. “There was always delicious food and fun activities planned.”
On a regular Shabbos, the synagogue is often buzzing throughout the day. It begins with an early morning Chassidus class with Rabbi Korf, continues with services and a Kiddush meals and ends with Maariv and screening the weekly inspirational video “Living Torah.”
“Rabbi’s Korf’s famous farbrengens were passionate and honest,” recounts George Albo, a former Miami-Dade County police officer who today sports a full chassidic beard.
Albo said he’s one of many whom the Korfs helped to reconnect with their Jewish roots and grow in their spiritual journey in life. “They touched the listeners deeply and encourage us to make real shifts in our lives,” he says.
To offer assistance, email [email protected] or [email protected].
reminds me of gush katif; happened at about same time of year, nine years ago. may both situations be resolved l’maalah me’derech ha’teva.
I do not know al of the circumstances. I know you have tried and tried. Eviction is not new to Jews. That doesn’t make it any easier. It is like saying to someone at the loss of a loved one, “he or she lived a great life.” You will grieve. G-d will open doors when you least expect it. It is time for reflection and to give yourself some time to process. I am deeply sorry r your loss.
Anshel Bomberger
Georgetown, CO
Guys please contact [email protected] if you are serious about matching any donations. As you can see we are serious and i set up a crowdfunding site to accomplish our goals. If anyone is serious about their comments of matching all donations, that would be a tremendous huge benefit.
Please help HCS by going to the crowdfunding site we set up and donate whatever you can. Every dollar helps. Please send it to your friends as well.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-new-hollywood-community-synagogue/x/8371949
I cried at seeing this. The whole of world Jewry was mourning on this day when your Mikdash Me’at was dismantled. May it be HaShem’s Will that you will speedily find a better and more beautiful place to rebuild. Chazak veamatz!
Wrong email address? Please repost…thanks
To comment number one: why would you accuse the shuls community of not helping financially? Do you realize how much half a million dollars is. Both my husband and I work the limit and can give at most 1-2,000 a year to put shul over the whole year. It is admirable that you are offering to help but unless you know for sure dont assume it’s members didn’t do everything possible to save the shul they love.
Our hearts are with you all we were there just a few years ago before we made Aliyah to Israel may Hashem bless you and give you strength to build a stronger community and rebuild
I don’t know how to set it up, but I would like to contribute if someone gets it going.
Is there a website where I can donate?
Its only an upgrade….wait and see
Aren’t there other Chabad Houses thay can help this community? From the pictures it seems like it was a very modest moised and there’s got to be more affluent moisdes that can help?
How can you be contacted to arrange matching funds?
This is very sad to see but IY”H will lead to a new and better shule. Yerida litzorech aliya. Hatzlacha Rabba!
I am very sorry for your loss
I am very sad this happened to your shul. I am a Non-Profit Fundraiser , who has spent many years working with Chabad’s in California, perhaps I can help…[email protected]
they are moving to yerushalaim iy”h
So sad, wish I could help
I was there it is the first time in my life seeing a shul being closed it’s so sad
good luck finding a good and nice one sincerely
mendel w.
To Rabbi Korf and Community
Hoping that this is a stepping stone for a bigger and more precious community. When a door closes another opens.
I spy Moti helping and assisting!
I can’t believe this happened on Tisha B’av. May Hashem give Rabbi Yossi Korf many brochos as I know he has many balei Teshuva and he deserves revealed good.
To get to a bigger and grander shul iyH
the churban is only there for the Binyan so too this is only a step for a huge and gorgeous shul and chabad house iyH
Chazzak vAmetz!
Several years ago, our community also went through this on the same day, enough distraction!
BS”D
does not make sense that this should happen
but let’s hope that every arida is for the sake of an Aliya
There seem to be so many people helping them move…these people don’t give tzedakah?
I am willing to organize a group of people to match the community’s contributions to get the building or another building but the community members must be involved