Chabad of East Boca Raton shared its vision, mission and plans today for its new Boca Beach Chabad and My Israel Center at a preview reception held on the grounds of the new location at 770 East Palmetto Park Road. Those attending included local, regional and global dignitaries as Consul General of Israel to Florida and Puerto Rico Chaim Shacham; Chabad congregants; Jewish community and thought leadership and others dedicated to building the first-of-its-kind blended model that unites Jewish spirituality, culture and education. The progressive dual site vision is designed to serve as a beacon of enlightenment that can be replicated by Chabads around the country and globe.

As shared by Rabbi Ruvi New, the founder, director and spiritual leader of Chabad of East Boca Raton, the new site that has been gifted by Irving J. and Judy Litwak will be a home to both The Harry & Celia Litwak Chabad (named in blessed memory of Irving’s parents) and the international debut of My Israel Center, a dynamic, world-class, interactive educational and cultural destination. He noted that address of the property is ideal for many reasons, but most providential is that it bears the same building number as Chabad’s headquarters in Brooklyn, New York at 770 Eastern Parkway. Its current East Boca location (for the past 13 years) is in the heart of Downtown Boca, across the street from Sanborn Square, in a 2,300-square-foot facility it rents at 120 NE 1st Ave.

“Chabad has called Downtown Boca home as its easternmost location in the City for the past 15 years and is ready for a new permanent home,” noted Rabbi New. “We started off slowly and humbly, with programs and services being run out of my home living room. Gradually, the positive energy, caring, and sense of community drew more people. Different types of Jews of all ages and backgrounds and interests found a home – with classes, Shabbat meals, children’s programs, holiday celebrations, singles events, and more.”

The new location is within a convenient 1.5 mile walking distance for Chabad’s current congregants that live along AIA, Mizner Village and The Golden Triangle; guests staying at the Boca Raton Resort & Club as well as those moving into the many new residential condo and rental apartment buildings under construction in the burgeoning urban renewal in Downtown Boca Raton. The Chabad Center, just a mile off I-95 in East Boca Raton and blocks from AIA, will be the only Jewish center in one of the fastest-growing Jewish areas in South Florida that is steps from the ocean, and a close commute to Jewish schools and kosher restaurants.

To ensure that the architecture and site planning fit within the charm and character of its new East Boca neighborhood, Chabad retained the highly-regarded architect Derek Vander Ploeg, a longtime Boca Raton resident and business owner who has planned and designed many iconic assets built within the City. He has designed the site for the two-story 18,000-square-foot building that will house the two separate entities of Chabad and the My Israel Center with ample underground parking even though most of those visiting, attending services and tours will be walking or arriving by school buses and vans.

Boca Beach Chabad To Be Empowering 

“Boca Beach Chabad will be a vibrant and creative center for Jewish life and community in East Boca Raton, where each person is welcomed with open arms and love, and empowered to seek and find their path to Jewish spiritual fulfillment and happiness,” shared Rabbi New. “It is to be a home away from home for East Boca residents and visitors that provides them with an ‘intimate’ setting with quality programs, services and events that serve their spiritual, educational, and social needs.”

Features of the Harry & Celia Litwak Chabad include a Main Sanctuary with seating, Hi-Tech Simcha Hall, Daily Chapel, Library and Learning Center, Garden of Reflection, Youth Center and classrooms.

My Israel Center Experience Designed To Be A ‘Game Changer’

My Israel Center will be a dynamic, interactive, state-of-the-art experiential center where Israel comes to life. Through personal, interactive, soulful and immersive experiences thorough multi-media, My Israel Center will share the beauty of the land and its people, the richness of its history and heritage, the wisdom of its sages and intellectuals, the sanctity of its place as a light unto the nations, the miracle of its existence and the global impact of its technological advances and medical breakthroughs. Senator Joseph Lieberman serves as the Honorary Chairman of the Board of the My Israel Center with Alan Dershowitz serving as the honorary Vice Chairman of the Board.

“For those who have not yet visited Israel, My Israel Center will serve as their first link,” noted Rabbi New. “For those who have visited, the Center will provide a deeper and more personal experience. For all of us, it will ‘bring Israel home’.”

Designed in collaboration The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) and Jewish Children’s Museum, the Center will feature intimate-sized sections for optimal exploration flow for small groups, including beginning with an introductory Prologue Main Lobby that leads to a Main Square, an Inspiration Hall, an Interactive Hall, The Explorium, a Virtual Reality Theater, and Mini Israel to conclude at an Epilogue Hall.

“My Israel Center couldn’t come at a more crucial time, at this critical juncture in the history of Israel and the Jewish people,” noted Rabbi New. “To many, Israel is foreign, distant, misunderstood, maligned, disconnected from our reality, and so it is vital that we tell the real story of Israel, take control of the global narrative and define its legacy. Through ingenuity and interactive programming and exhibits, My Israel Center is designed to serve as an inspiring public symbol and powerful education tool as a ‘game changer’ in how the landscape of connectedness to Israel and Jewish identity forms for this and next generations.

Beyond The Doors: Boca Beach Chabad and My Israel Center Continues Outreach

As Chabad and My Israel Center serves the greater community-at-large, it will continue to host large groups off-site for celebrations, concerts, and holiday festivals at the Mizner Park Amphitheater, public parks and at private venues like the Boca Raton Resort & Club that support its kosher culinary requirements. Since its humanitarian outreach is mobile and goes beyond its doors directly to those who need of spiritual support and guidance, these two entities will continue to provide prayer sessions and educational programming at area hospitals, assisted living facilities, youth centers, and the like.

For more information, to discuss sponsorships and dedication opportunities for Boca Beach Chabad or My Israel Center, contact Rabbi Ruvi New at (561) 394-9770 or [email protected], visit ChabadBocaBeaches.com and Boca Beach Chabad on Facebook.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Kaye Communications (561) 392-5166

Bonnie S. Kaye, [email protected], (561) 756-3099-cell

Jon A. Kaye, [email protected], (561) 756-3099-cell