“From Eretz Yisroel, to Miami, Florida there are no borders.”
In an expansive, soaring concert hall reverberating in soulful melody, these words were loudly applauded by over 1,000 people who had gathered to demonstrate solidarity with our brethren in Eretz Yisroel and to support quality Jewish education at Lubavitch Educational Center’s annual dinner in Miami, Florida.
The theme—On The Front: One Torah, One Nation, One Land—highlighted the tireless efforts of the institution’s staff and over 2,000 students in the spiritual and material support of Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael, and their commitment to a vibrant future of our people. “After the massacre on Simchas Torah, our students really rose to the occasion,” says Rabbi Benzion Korf, head of school. “We are immensely proud of their work on the spiritual front lines.”
Students from the school’s ten divisions introduced the evening’s feature presentations, beginning with a d’var Torah from Yeshiva Gedola Miami’s Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Leib Schapiro, and a proclamation by Oliver Gilbert, chairman of Miami Dade county.
An emotional point of the evening came after a video greeting from LEC alumnus and IDF soldier Sholom Brook, who is currently fighting in Gaza. After the video, during a musical presentation by Yonatan Razel accompanied by the LEC Boys Choir, Brook himself stepped onto the stage to surprise his parents who had not seen him for several months, with thunderous applause and tears from the excited crowd.
Eitan and Jennifer Zimerman were honored at the event for their generous support of LEC. Morah Leah Barouk and Mrs. Sharon Mirmelli ob”m, two devoted educators who recently passed away, were remembered for their decades of impact in a touching tribute by their former students.
Israel’s former Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau inspired the attendees with an uplifting keynote address and the event culminated in a grand musical presentation by singing sensations Avraham Fried, Yonatan Razel and Chief Cantor of the IDF, Shai Abramson.
Also attending the event were representatives of the Israeli Consulate and the office of Senator Rick Scott, and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson.
Lubavitch Educational Center thanks our staff, parents, and supporters for making this incredible event possible.
