By Nechama “Natalie” Gutman – Outreach Director Friendship Circle
On Shabbos morning at 7 AM, Rabbi Chaim and Chayale Slavaticki were awakened by the sound of the Police at their front door. Their Chabad House was intentionally set ablaze.
The Chabad House was full of Hebrew School Families enjoying an incredible Shabbos dinner together on Friday night. Shabbos morning, as the flames were extinguished, the same kitchen that smelled heavenly just hours before with Shabbos food, now was filled with unbearable smoke.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department swiftly arrested the individual, but our incredible center, built on a foundation of chesed, has sustained immense damage that will take months to repair.
Monday through Friday, we are home to the Friendship Circle Life Skills and Job Training program for adults with special needs. Our kitchen is an integral part of their learning, as they spend two hours daily working in the kitchen and then take turns interacting with the public at our restaurant, The Friendship Grill on Las Olas.
Our Friendship Circle Social Programs are known throughout the community as a place of inclusion. We welcome all families and ensure that our participants feel the love and that our families get the support they need.
Sunday, as our teens arrived for our Teen Scene program, which was held in the park next door, their looks of despair could be felt. “When will the next program be,” one teen asked. “Will I not be able to see my friends for the next few months,” asked another. When we informed our Life Skills families that we would not have school on Monday until a location could be found, their understanding voices came over the line, but the despair and feeling of instability was apparent.
Our Las Olas Chabad Jewish Center isn’t just a Jewish Center, but a house filled with chessed for people of all walks of life! To get up and running quickly, we are turning to the community for help.
While the fire may have burned our building and destroyed the Slavaticki’s family car, it has reignited our purpose of working harder and stronger than ever.
We are committed to continuing our Friendship Circle Programs without a pause, growing our Hebrew School, and infusing our Jewish community with light. We will also continue supporting our Israeli Combat Veterans struggling with PTS through Israel Heart 2 Heart, whose home is also at Las Olas Chabad Jewish Center.
This attack on our shul has shaken our entire community, and to continue doing our work, we are turning to you. We need YOUR help to rebuild our home.
https://www.charidy.com/rebuildfclasolas
This is Golus!!
Bh looks like they saved the Torah!!!