New Shluchim to South Florida

By COLlive reporter

Rabbi Shmuli Heidingsfeld and his wife Nechama (nee Kravitsky) have joined Chabad of Greater Fort Lauderdale in Florida to focus on outreach activities.

Founded over 33 years ago and led by Shliach Rabbi Aron Lieberman, the community is known for growing into a sizable Anash community based out of Synagogue of Inverrary – Chabad at 6700 NW 44th Street.

The new Shluchim have already begun reaching out and bringing meaning to Jews from all walks of life living in the area. Among the activities are visiting businesses and offices, assisted living communities, connecting with teens and giving Torah classes.

“We are very excited to be dedicating our lives to helping the Jewish community here,” said Rabbi Heidingsfeld says. “His smile and warmth bespeak joy as he speaks about the endless opportunities there are to reach out.

Rabbi Heidingsfeld said he met a woman named Terry at Walmart and offered to visit her father who will soon be turning 90. At the visit, the elderly man put on Tefillin for the first time since his Bar Mitzvah.

“My heart feels so filled with meaning and love. Thank you so much,” Terry said. “I am so happy to have met a warm personable Rabbi who cares so much about each individual.”

She is just one of the many people that have been so grateful to be touched by the work of Rabbi and Mrs. Heidingsfeld and their son Mendel.

“This is what we love to do. Spread joy, love, and meaning to as many Jews as we can,” Nechama Heidingsfeld laughs and adds, “Baby Mendel is better at spreading love and joy than anyone else can.”

They recently went to lead Shabbos Services at a local assisted living facility. “As soon as we got there, just seeing the baby made their eyes light up. We sang and we danced and the Jewish residents felt a special pride,” the rabbi said.

At one point Rabbi Heidingsfeld heard about a family that was interested in finding a Rabbi to assist them in providing a Brit Milah for their father who had passed away. Happy to help, he also inquired as to whether they would be open to giving him a traditional Jewish burial. They replied that they were open, but did not have the means to do so, and so they planned to cremate. Within hours Rabbi Shmuli put them in contact with people who were able to assist in ensuring that a Jewish burial would take place.

“I have no words to thank you Rabbi. My heart feels settled. I’ll forever be grateful that he received this honor and that his soul is at peace,” his daughter said after the funeral. This is the kind of work the Heidingsfelds dedicate their time and energy to.

“There are so many Jews we can reach around here,” Rabbi Heidingsfeld says. He visits the many Jews in the businesses across town. He shares uplifting thoughts on the weekly Torah portion, puts Tefillin on those that haven’t already and offers to help out with the needs of the Jewish population however he can. “Some Jews don’t make it to synagogue. But G-d isn’t only in the synagogue. He’s at the workplace too. He’s at home too. And so its my job to go out there and bring inspiration to Jews wherever they are.”

“It’s our joy to be helping out the Jewish people here. After all, we’re family. We take it as our responsibility to dedicate our lives to look out for each other,” Mrs. Heidingsfeld said.

To support their activities, visit ChabadFtLauderdale.com/4107630, PayPal [email protected], or Cashapp $CgflOutreach