Boca Shluchim Celebrate Landmark Win After 20 Years

Thank You Hashem. With the Rebbe’s brachos, Didan Notzach. There are moments in a shliach’s life when years of tefillos and hard work come together with clear Hashgacha Pratis. Nearly

Thank You Hashem. With the Rebbe’s brachos, Didan Notzach.

There are moments in a shliach’s life when years of tefillos and hard work come together with clear Hashgacha Pratis.

Nearly twenty years ago, Rabbi Naftaly and Henya Hertzel arrived in Boca Raton, Florida, as shluchim of the Rebbe with one mission: to do the Rebbes Ratzon to bring Jews closer to Hashem.

They had no permanent building, only the Rebbe’s brachos and a deep commitment to the Rebbe and every Jew.

Over the years, a warm and growing community developed. Families joined, children grew up in a strong Jewish environment, Torah classes expanded, and many strengthened their connection to Yiddishkeit.

But one dream remained constant: establishing a permanent home for the Chabad Israel Center.

One of the greatest challenges was opening a Chabad House within the community itself. For years, the governing documents of the Loggers’ Run, where the Chabad in located, HOA included language that effectively treated a shul as a prohibited use, preventing the establishment of a Chabad House in the neighborhood.

After twenty years of effort, an opportunity finally emerged to purchase a beautiful property outside the area. The stunning 10,000 square foot building on a full acre of land seemed perfectly suited to serve as a permanent home for the growing community.

Renovations began, but the process quickly became complicated. Multiple county approvals remained unresolved as Rosh Hashanah approached, making it seem unlikely the building would open in time.

During those critical weeks, Rabbi Naftaly and Henya Hertzel received tremendous support from many individuals throughout Palm Beach County, including attorney Josh Spoont and Mike Caruso, the elected Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller for Palm Beach County, who played an important role in helping move the process forward before Yom Tov.

With three major issues still unresolved, ten community members traveled with Rabbi Hertzel to the Rebbe’s Ohel to daven for a brachah.

“As soon as we walked out of the Ohel, we received a call that all three issues had been resolved,” Rabbi Hertzel recalled. “Then, on Erev Rosh Hashanah, only two hours before minyan, we received the Certificate of Occupancy.”

The first Rosh Hashanah in the new building became a powerful and emotional moment for the community. Many davened with tears in their eyes, filled with gratitude to Hashem for the unbelievable miracles that had made it possible. During Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, hundreds gathered for the grand opening of the new center.

Several months later, another miracle happened.

After years of legal proceedings, the Chabad Israel Center’s lawsuit against the Loggers’ Run HOA concluded with a historic settlement. The HOA agreed to remove anti religious language from its governing documents that had effectively treated a shul as a prohibited commercial use. As a result, Chabad Houses can now operate within the HOA community.

The Hertzels expressed hope that the settlement will help other shluchim facing similar HOA restrictions throughout Florida and beyond, helping open the door for additional Chabad Houses within HOA communities.

In addition to removing the discriminatory language, the settlement included significant financial compensation that will help strengthen and expand the Chabad Israel Center’s activities, including plans to open a preschool for local Jewish children.

The legal effort was led by attorney Jeremy Dys from First Liberty Institute and attorney Eliot Pedrosa from the Jones Day law firm.

Throughout the journey, the Hertzels drew strength from the Rebbe and the friendship and support of fellow shluchim, including Rabbi Zalman Bukiet, Rabbi Moshe Denburg, and Rabbi Yossi Schapiro.

A 77 year old Jewish man arrived at the Chabad Israel Center this past Shavuos, and it was discovered that he had never celebrated a Bar Mitzvah.

On Shavuos, the day of Matan Torah, he was called to the Torah for an aliyah and celebrated his Bar Mitzvah for the very first time. His daughter stood nearby, overcome with emotion, as tears filled the room. Afterwards, everyone danced with him in tremendous simchah.

“The building is important. The legal victory is important,” Rabbi Hertzel said. “But moments like this remind us why we do what we do. Everything is about helping another Jew connect to Hashem.”

Twenty years after arriving in Boca Raton, the Hertzels are watching a dream become reality. The halls of the Chabad Israel Center are filled each day with Torah and tefillah, daily minyanim, children learning, Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations, Yom Tov gatherings, youth programs, and families growing stronger in Yiddishkeit. What began with years of tefillos, sacrifice, and unwavering emunah has become a living and growing center of Jewish life.

“Thank You Hashem. Thank You Rebbe,” say the Hertzels.

Donate to the Chabad Israel Center https://share.google/9fT2ybnNU7fZZSpSk

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