PR

Plans community center to better serve community

 

Lakewood Ranch, FL. —Chabad of Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch is getting ready to celebrate six years of community service in a grand way– with more than five acres of land on Lorraine Road to house its Chabad House.

 

Originally launched in a living room and transferred five years ago to various rental locations throughout Lakewood Ranch, Chabad’s prpgrams are full and expanding. The purchase will enable Chabad to serve more families and expand its diverse social, educational, and religious programming.

 

 "As we continue to grow, expand and inspire, we also continue our commitment to maintaining an environment that serves the needs of the Jewish community in Manatee County," said Rabbi Mendy Bukiet, Executive Director of Chabad of Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch.  

 

Plans for the site at 5712 Lorraine Rd include renovation for the existing 2,300 square foot building already on premises. Total estimated project cost, including land, is five hundred thousand dollars.

 

The fundraising and purchase of the site are a testament to the passionate grassroots following the Center has generated with its dedicated, warm, and inclusive approach to Judaism.

Established in 2004, by Rabbi Mendy & Chanie Bukiet, Chabad has stood strong as an organization that services the community with its various needs. Chabad has been privileged to provide a safety net to families and individuals through counseling, hospital and prison visitations, the Sunshine Committee, adult and youth education classes, hands-on educational programs, holiday enrichment programs, and the Women’s Circle. Chabad is always there for an adult or child in need. Treasuring each individual for his or her unique qualities is Chabad’s hallmark.

This land purchase could not have come at a more opportune time. This land purchase will secure a sound base for Chabad with which to continue providing its vital services to the community. It’s a place of permanence for Chabad, a place Chabad and all Jews in Manatee County, can call home.

 

When the need for a permanent home for Chabad became evident, several community members joined Rabbi Bukiet in the creation of an advisory committee, which spent a great deal of time to plan the purchase and raise the funds to purchase the land.

A special thank you to the committee members for lending their time, energy, resources, and ongoing efforts; Dr. Steve Shapiro, Richard & Lauren Vallone, Dr. Brent Rubin, Joel & Roz Ehrenpreis, Mark Walzer, Frea Cohen, Frank & Moraima Rodriguez, Adam Wieand, David Kasse, and Ron Hyatt.
 

Another special thank you to the very generous donors who made the land purchase possible, as well as many thanks to Russ Tilton from Remax Alliance Group and Go To Options, who selflessly gave of his time, energy and resources to ensure the acquisition of the land.

 

A great success story, Chabad of Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch offers a wide variety of programs and events geared to all ages and stages in Jewish development. The community has warmly responded to its membership-free, open arm approach which welcomes Jews of all backgrounds, affiliations and levels of observance.

The center's mission is to serve the community with unconditional love for every Jew and to ensure Jewish continuity through increasing pride, knowledge, and commitment.