By: Reuven Arazi
Chabad of South Broward, leaders in Jewish education, social services and outreach, invites the community to their 26th Annual Dinner, Sunday, March 11th, at the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa, 3555 South Ocean Drive, in Hollywood, Florida.
This year’s dinner will benefit physically challenged women in South Florida, as Chabad of South Broward is constructing Florida’s first Mikvah, ritual bath, especially for women with disabilities. It will be one of only a handful of such Mikvahs in the entire world. "Many women who suffer from paralysis, multiple sclerosis or cancer either shy away from this beautiful ritual or carry out the mitzvah with great difficulty and humility," says Rabbi Raphael Tennenhaus, Chabad’s executive vice-president. Sharon Shapiro, Founding Director of Yad HaChazakah- The Jewish Disability Empowerment Center in New York City- says the importance of such a Mikvah is extremely significant. "You have a double issue. You have the issue of not wanting to impose upon people, and the other issue is tzniyut," privacy. Without a lift, specially trained Mikvah assistants, or properly positioned grab bars, women with physical disabilities must call upon friends and family for help using the Mikvah, shattering any semblance of privacy so integral to the Mikvah experience.
Dinner co-chairs are Dr. Barry Alter and Mr. Bernie Friedman. Dinner vice-chairs are Mr. Steve Kerzer, the Honorable Eleanor Sobel and Mrs. Karen Firestone.
Honorees at the upcoming dinner are Avi and Sharon Frier, who will receive the Young Leadership Award, the Honorable Jennifer Gottlieb, who will receive the Leadership in Education Award, and Mrs. Margie Szerer, recipient of the Aishet Chayil- Woman of Valor Award.
Chabad of South Broward are the trailblazers of Chabad in Broward County, where they opened the first Chabad center in 1980. Today, Chabad of South Broward operates 11 centers and 35 agencies in 10 Broward cities.