By COLlive reporter
South Florida and Panama were recently the focal points of a speaking tour by Rabbi Yossy and Rochel Goldman, senior Chabad Shluchim in South Africa since 1976.
In a whirlwind tour over Yud Shevat and beyond, the Goldmans were Guest Scholars-in-Residence at Central Chabad Boca Raton, The Shul of Bal Harbor, Lubavitch of Aventura South, and Panama.
The first stop from Johannesburg was Boca Raton with Rabbi Moishe and Rivka Denburg. A Friday night dinner for South African expatriates, a major address in Shul on Shabbos morning, and a Kiddush Farbrengen were the main attractions. Quite a few of the South Africans reminded Rabbi Goldman that he had officiated at their Chupahs back in their home country. “Well, you’re still married, and still talking to me, so I guess I did a good job,” quipped the Rabbi.
The Goldmans were most impressed with the large, comprehensive campus at Chabad Central consisting of a most beautiful Shul, School, Mikvahs for women and men and spacious social halls. “A warm, personal atmosphere pervades the campus and people from a wide spectrum all seem very happy to be there,” said Rabbi Goldman.
And the people, for their part, were very happy to listen to the Goldmans.
“Rabbi Yossy Goldman is a ‘rabbi’s rabbi’,” said Rabbi Denburg. “He may be soft-spoken, but he delivers a powerful message and is always entertaining. He has the knack of delivering the right message for even the most diverse crowd.” Having served as Senior Rabbi of the iconic Sydenham Shul in Johannesburg for over 35 years, Goldman is certainly no stranger to diverse audiences.
From Boca, it was onto The Shul of Bal Harbor in Surfside under Rabbi Sholom and Chanie Lipskar for a special Yud Shevat Farbrengen.
“What a center of Yiddishkeit The Shul is today! The Minyanim were packed with Jews from all over! A new building is nearing completion to enhance the beautiful Shul Campus even further,” said Mrs. Goldman, who also spoke for a women’s group. “We were hosted very graciously by Rabbi Shea and Dobie Rubinstein, and we saw how many activities take place in this bustling community,” she added.
The Yud Shevat Farbrengen went quite late. Rabbi Lipskar who introduced Rabbi Goldman described the evening. “In his usual articulate way, Rabbi Goldman conveyed a real feeling of Chassidic fervor, empathy, and joy as he wove an extraordinary tapestry of stories and philosophical insights that left the community asking for more.”
From there, it was to Aventura South where Rabbi Mendel and Raizel Rosenfeld have created a beautiful, large, and active center of Jewish life. This time, the topic was one which is all too timely, Antisemitism.
“In his lecture entitled “Why the Jews?” Rabbi Goldman presented this painful subject with intelligence, clarity, sprinkling it with humor and leaving the audience motivated to live as proud Jews despite the difficulties of being Jewish today,” said Rabbi Rosenfeld. “My favorite part was the Q & A, where each questioner was answered with insight, care, and respect.”
Following the talk in the big Shul, an informal Farbrengen continued in the Social Hall. “It was fascinating to see the versatility of a speaker who moved smoothly from a formal lecture into a “heimishe farbrengen,” added Rosenfeld.
And, finally, it was across the Caribbean Sea to Panama City, Panama, for the Beth El Ashkenazi Shul headed by Rabbi Ari and Fradel Laine. Sermons in Shul, a Friday night dinner talk, a lecture in the afternoon, and Farbrengens for both men and women kept the Goldmans busy.
“What a magnificent Shul and community the Laines have built up, and what a strong, proud, warmly traditional Kehilla we found in Panama,” said Rabbi Goldman.
Mrs. Goldman was so impressed by the community’s Kashrus infrastructure. “For a community of some 15,000 to boast 30 kosher eateries is astounding. We saw the massive SuperKosher Food Market, which has anything one could ask for. Whatever products you can find in New York are available in Panama,” she said. South African Jewry is famous for being strongly traditional, but the Goldmans were very pleasantly surprised to see such a vibrant communal life in Panama.
Although the local language is Spanish, everyone understood the Goldmans’ English. “Our members really enjoyed Rabbi Goldman’s talks,” said Rabbi Laine. “He is a first-class orator – insightful, clear, and witty. And Rochel really inspired the women with her energy, enthusiasm, and stirringly positive messages.”
“All in all,” Rabbi Goldman reflected as he prepared to return to his Makom HaShlichus back home, “our Shlichus has expanded far beyond the borders of South Africa. We look forward to being able to partner with, and support so many more of our colleagues across the globe, in our final Shlichus, to prepare the entire world to greet Moshiach Tzidkeinu!”
