By COLlive reporter
You can call it a Hollywood comeback…
Nearly a year after the HCS Chabad Jewish Center in Holywood, Florida, was evicted, its leaders have announced the imminent return to their original premises.
When shocking news of their eviction took place on the solemn day of Tisha B’Av 5774, with members calling it their own “churban bayis” (destruction of the building), there didn’t seem to be a way back.
“No light at the end of the tunnel,” says Rabbi Joseph Korf and his wife Elisheva, the Chabad Shluchim to Hollywood who lead the center, also recognized as the Hollywood Community Synagogue.
At the time, the banks were unwilling to negotiate and the buyer who connivingly swept the synagogue out from underneath them would not entertain any offers. As the members were packing and moving everything in the sweltering Florida heat on the fast day, the gloom was palpable and destruction took on a whole new meaning.
“Last year,” says Rabbi Korf, “Eicha had a visceral reality and an undertone of wailing could be heard. This was not because we are such tzadikim and feel the ‘churban ha’bayis’ internally but because we felt and mourned for our own “churban”. To be honest, although it wasn’t the first time being at the threshold of doom it felt like it was going to be the last. Obviously this was a death knell. I’m not proud of it but I was forlorn and didn’t know where and to whom to turn.
“Although, some gave up and some left, the loyal base remained. With surprising encouragement from friends I didn’t know I have and Shluchim from all over the world, which really amazed me, we kept on ticking,” said Rabbi Korf.
The daily minyan restarted in a nearby Sefardic shul and Shabbos services were held in the Korf’s home and slowly growing as each week went by. “It’s like we came back to our roots and it was 1990 all over again and we’re beginning anew,” said Rabbi Korf.
From Pesach on, the HCS Chabad Jewish center leased Shabbos and holiday space in a private clubhouse graciously offered by the president of the homeowner’s organization, Stanley Herzek, a longtime member of the synagogue, together with their Board some of who are/were original members of Chabad.
Following that, the Chabad center was approached by Mr. Herzek with the spark of an idea and with his dedicated work and energy to buy back the original property that Chabad was evicted from. The idea was a fairy tale and farfetched, Rabbi Korf notes. “Yet, with his dedicated work and the Rebbe’s support it became a reality.”
Most of all and coupled with that was the bedrock support and financial help of Rabbi Benjy Korf, Dean of Lubavitch Educational Center and Mr. Mendy Korf, president of the Chabad Shul in South Beach and Century Builders & Restoration together with Rabbi Mendel Rosenfeld of Chabad of Aventura, Mr. Morris and Lillian Tabacinic with a nice grant and some others who came to their aid.
The negotiations were arduous and everything had to be done with utmost secrecy and care. At times, the pitfalls were enormous and the road to success was blocked over and over. Many times it was difficult to see if, how and when.
Chabad’s lawyers, Stewart Mirmelli and Michael Bernstein, who both worked totally pro-bono and out of their desire to see Chabad reclaim its perch in Hollywood, were in the trenches even countersuing at one point when it was thought the property would be lost because the owner found out who was “really” behind the purchase and a miraculous outcome ensued.
“Almost to the very end, when the person who bought the house to ‘flip’ and sell suddenly and inadvertently found out through the internet about the relationship between Stanley and myself, the whole deal almost went off the cliff. This was just a mere two months ago, after everything was ready, signed, sealed and delivered and were hoping to have the property by Shavuos,” said Rabbi Korf.
Ultimately everything is by Divine Providence and with much wisdom and counsel from the attorneys and those involved the house was finally signed over for good and Chabad is ready to move in. The actual agreement was signed on 12 Tammuz and some last legal minutia with the key handed over on the 15th.
“So, although the eviction and ‘churban’ of our ‘Mikdash me’at’ was Providentially on the day of our Temple’s destruction ultimately and in a sign of wondrous Providence our liberation and redemption occurred almost a year later on the 12 of Tammuz! Who am I to complain when I don’t even deserve what I’ve been given,” said Rabbi Korf.
The works is far from over. This is really a new beginning.
In order to fully restart and rebuild not only where they were before, but beyond, HCS will not need the help and support from the Hollywood community and beyond. Now that there is a new administration and invigorated individuals they must have the needed funds to rebuild.
They will need funds to restore the inside which was totally gutted and the outside which is ripped up. Some additional improvements must be made as well to the structure and other minor issues.
To accomplish all of this as well as to repay and erase the loan taken to retrieve the shul-house and the possible purchase of the house adjacent to the shul, which originally housed HCS offices and the future pre-school and other projects, for a rock-bottom price, HCS needs to raise a minimum of $500,000.00 quickly to cover all the above.
“There’s no doubt the Rebbe will be there for us,” said Rabbi Korf. “I’ve seen it throughout this surreal story and experienced his constant and magnanimous help. He owes me nothing and I’ve no right to demand anything and yet like a merciful shepherd he’s been here for me, my family and my community through thick and thin. Literally!”
HCS has major plans for expansion as soon as it’s viable and people have expressed interest to move in their beautiful family-oriented neighborhood.
They’ve expressed a desire to be part of Hollywood Lubavitch which has touched so many lives and brought so many people back to yiddishkeit where no other shuls or Torah-classes were available.
The work HCS does as well as with the local hospital is longstanding. For this they are now adding a new Shliach with unique and amazing talents and “mesiras nefesh”, Rabbi Yochanan Klein and more things to come.
HCS-Chabad Lubavitch and Rabbi Korf are reaching out to you and asking you to help them make this a complete “Chag Hage’ula,” and enable them to restore their “Mikdash Me’at” which was destroyed last year on “Tisha b’Av”.
With this selfless act Al-mighty G-d will rebuild the Third and Final Temple with Mashiach. Please don’t wait if you’re moved to help. We’re looking for serious benefactors and heartfelt friends who want to be part of this new and special endeavor. Be a pioneer with HCS as it renews and rebuilds the crown of Chabad and with it the neighborhood and its people.
If you wish to donate or help attract others please contact Rabbi or Rebbetzin Korf at:
305.761.0607 or 954.394.8340
[email protected] or [email protected]
You can donate to HCS through PayPal by linking on through [email protected]
בעז”ה יהיה גדול ויפה יותר…בהצלחה לרב ואלישבע קורף, ד”ש חם לכולם בהוליווד.
So happy for u and ur community! Yeruda l’tzorich aliyah! May u go from strength to strength! Remember: haRebbe midaber, haRebbe yikayem! The Rebbe says, the Rebbe fulfills!
May ur Shul be rebuilt, may the Beis Hamikdosh be rebuilt NOW with the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach at our helm!
Hatzlocho rabo. Schneurs mom
יוחנן קליין איש חסד משכמו ומעלה עוזר לכל יהודי מכל הלב מינסיון אישי יוחנן תודה על כל העזרה והצלחה מרובה בשליחות
תתרמו לארגון שלו בעין יפה
This is amazing news
Yochonon Klein is fabulous! What a great addition!
Thank you I’m in for $180
so happy for you
Rabbi Korf may it be more beautiful and more grandiose then you cann ever have imagined it!!!
Thank you Collive for your positive report on shluchim on shlichus, Thank you for all you do, You have an extremely important position in the world wide Chabad Community. Yashar Koach.
Gut Shabbos
“There’s no doubt the Rebbe will be there for us,” said Rabbi Korf.
That should read, No doubt the Rebbe Is here for us! He is your ultimnate Shliach from Hashem and IS always with you!
May Tisha B’Av be turned in to the ultimate day of joy for you and Klal Yisroel