By Hadassah Chen for COLlive
When my offer was confirmed, I was ecstatic. Finally, I had the chance to work and explore one of the most successful Chabad communities in the world; Miami and what is known as The Shul of Bal Harbour under the guidance of Rabbi Sholom Ber Lipskar.
Ok, it’s true, I am related to Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar, and I did grow up hearing all about her and when we used to go to Miami as children, I would meet both of them. I remember always hearing very positive comments on how they started this incredible Chabad center, on what they had gone through and about their amazing personalities.
When I was a child and I would go and visit them in Miami, I was so impressed by the incredible occasions that were taking place every other day, whether a bar mitzvah or a birthday, a brit, or a simple first candle lighting of a 3-year-old girl. Everything was so glamourous, so enchanting, not what I thought was part of a Chabad house life!
Ok, I was a child.
Growing up my impression on this powerful couple didn’t change much; although we were less in touch, they still seemed to me world-class material.
Time went by, I grew up and matured and didn’t come back to Miami for a long time. The Lipskars also “grew” up together with their enlarged community which became a spectacular one.
An incredible ‘Hashgacha protis” brought me again, after a long time together with the Lipskars where I spent two intense days (and nights) with them and that allowed me to immerse myself in the project of an extraordinary video for their 38th gala dinner on March 5, 2020.
A dinner which would honor each family of shluchim who contributed to creating the now world-famous “The Shul” which transformed a dream of a Shliach of the Rebbe in a reality through infinite commitment devotion and endless hard work.
I left my family in the middle of a cold Jerusalem night and joined Rachel Belinitzky at Ben Gurion airport, very excited for the experience I was about to undertake.
I don’t like Miami, I don’t like the heat, beach, big shopping malls and the huge Miami style villas don’t really impress me. I’m too European.
My first interview was scheduled at Rabbi Lipskar’s house at 7 pm. I had very little time to freshen up in order to show up on time.
I was jet-lagged and desperately needed a strong black espresso.
No time for going through my prepared questions, too nervous and tired, felt totally unprepared for the first encounter.
We got to this beautiful home in a secured area of Bal Harbour, memories came back to my mind; the Rebbetzin greeted us with a generous smile. She looks fresh, friendly and gorgeous. I feel old and tired next to her. She offers us fresh fruits, brownies, and drinks in those beautiful flowery dishes. Well, I thought to myself, my memory is not so bad, that’s exactly what I remember… A glam Rebbetzin!
As we finally sit down for the interview, I see a woman very much in control of how to portray herself. She checks her makeup, her wig, her clothes, she makes sure the light is right and that the corner of her house we picked for the interview looks beautiful.
Too glam, I think to myself even though I like when my interviewee is very much aware of her presence. As we start filming and I start with my questions, I slowly get to know a different person.
This woman is amazing, I slowly begin to realize. She had incredible energy, positivity and beauty. Almost envious of the knowledge she is transmitting to me, the more we talk the more I am amazed and captured by her strong personality. Her speech flows, her voice is pleasant, while her message is strong, vibrant but at the same time easy to listen to. Her devotion to the Rebbe and her deep chassidishkeit blew me away.
Looks can really be deceiving. I had pictured her completely differently. However, that interview was nothing compared to the one which followed right after. Rabbi Lipskar, her husband.
We entered a beautiful study room. The walls are framed with the previous Rabbeim pictures, in all size and style, and the Rebbe obviously. On the other side the most important political personalities, donors, and special friends. It looks like the office of a government official.
The greatness of the room came very much in contrast with the Rabbi’s straightforwardness and simplicity. He made us feel right at ease, started showing us pictures and books and telling us the stories behind it.
I felt better. Not at all what I had expected. I was sure he was going to come in followed by a private assistant and secretary. He looked more like a sweet Zaidy showing us his grandchildren’s pictures. He welcomed all of us in his conversation, making us feel incredibly at ease.
“Let the interview begin,” I tell the Rabbi who is smiling to me while we are sitting in two comfortable armchairs in the middle of the office.
As I start with the questions I see a man who knows for sure how to talk on camera. He has presence, charm, wisdom, and knowledge. His voice is deep and low, you need to focus to understand him. Every word that comes out of his mouth is well thought and in the right place.
He is enchanting, I can’t seem to stop listening to him even when I want to interrupt him with a question or l think his answer is too long. No, you cannot stop him, it just flows. I feel like I don’t want to ruin the magic.
Yes, magic is the right word, although from what I understand from his story, there was very little magic when they together embarked in their shlichus in the 60’s in Miami. Not glamourous at all.
I start to grasp the incredible work this couple has done in the past 50 years, the incredible amount of self-sacrifice and faith they were bestowed which empowered them to climb the infinite obstacles to build what they have today, to be what they are today.
I had thought when I saw their house, “easy to be a Rabbi when you live like this.” How far I had been from reality.
This Rabbi is an example of total and utter devotion to the Rebbe and its cause. Firm and total faith in his mission whatever the outcome might have been. A leader and a dreamer, who managed to make a reality out of his vision.
Simple.
My two days in Miami flew by, two days that felt like a year!
We were immersed in a bubble called The Shul, a magical place full of energy, surrounded by people and staff all enthusiastic about their mission, busy organizing shiurim, bat mitzvah classes, minyanim, lessons, brunches, women classes, mommy and me, dancing with the seniors, and Aleph Insititute working with the prisoners, soldiers etc.
No one is left behind. Noone.
Of course, they need to enlarge their building, they are in constant working mode! The trucks for the catering are parked outside always busy unloading food, cleaning services, and maintenance and security, this place is a machine that never stops.
You feel the excitement when you are there and you get carried away.
Before leaving I turned to the Lipskars and said, “I don’t want to go.” I got a smile back. “So come back, we’re waiting for you.”
My mind was an explosion of ideas as I left Miami. This will be a great movie, I met amazing people and managed in such a short time to acquire unforgettable experiences and emotions. Miami is not so bad after all.
VIDEO: The Story of The Shul of Bal Harbour
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Fast forward to one month later.
The video is almost ready. I am tempted to fly back for the gala dinner, I feel I need to be there, I want everything to be perfect and under control, no mistakes permitted. My husband surprises me and tells me he will come with me. I am super excited.
Until coronavirus happened. We feared that we will get stuck in France. Five hours before our flight, we decided to cancel the trip. I felt sad.
The dinner is an incredible success thank G-d, and the morning after on my phone, the Rabbi compliments me.
Baruch Hashem, we made it.
Two days later, I get woken up again in the middle of the night with a message that freezes me. Rabbi Lipskar has been infected with coronavirus.
I cry in my office and right away pick up a Tehilim. I will not let my mind wander, I tell myself, I will just focus and pray.
On my phone, I still have the fresh pictures of the Rabbi at the dinner, celebrated like a king surrounded by family, friends and community members.
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Forward a month later.
Rabbi Lipskar has recovered and is back home. A true miracle. The Shul is expected to reopen soon, with Hashem’s help.
I want to go back. The Lipskars promised me. They’ll be there.
Thank you for sharing!
this is so beautifully done and very inspiring
Wow! Great article
Hadassa the article is very well written …. smooth and exciting to read
Keep the great work!!
thanks for making us participate in this fantastic experience!
thanks for making us participate in this fantastic experience
Our super talented Hadassa, beautiful article, very touching, keep up!!!! We are proud of you.
Beautiful and inspiring thank you!!!
Thank you for sharing your incredible talents we love you and we always wait for your next inspiration.. go Patti
I really enjoyed reading the article, and the video was beautifully done!!!
NDN
Really well done!! Enjoyed it!
Beautiful article and really inspiring Video !!
Thank you ..
looking forward for more ..
AC
Come sempre un bellissimo articolo pieno d’ispirazione e molto profondo, grazie per aver condiviso!
Well done, loved it!!
What a Queen!
Z. Sasson