Nearly half a century ago, Rabbi Yosef Y. and Bayla Biston were entrusted by the Rebbe with a bold mission: to lay the foundations of Jewish life across Broward and Palm Beach Counties. With vision, warmth, and unwavering commitment, they opened dozens of Chabad centers and nurtured Jewish infrastructure throughout the region. They were guided by a simple but powerful belief: that a strong community is built when every Jew has a place and a purpose.
In 1998, they moved to Parkland, a small equestrian town which was just beginning to blossom. What they saw was not only open land and new homes, but the potential for something far greater. They would nurture a deeply connected Jewish community rooted in unity: with many voices yet one heart. Just a few short years later, they were joined by Rabbi Mendy and Estie Gutnick, along with Rabbi Shuey and Sarah Biston, forming a leadership team devoted to building Jewish life with heart, vision, and inclusivity.
A major milestone was reached in 2019 with the opening of the Michael and Betsy Brauser Center for Jewish Life, a 20,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility. The sprawling campus quickly became the hub of Jewish life in Parkland, a place alive with learning, celebration, prayer, and connection. Today, it is already operating at full capacity, which is a powerful reflection of a community that has grown beyond expectations.
Over the past several years, that growth has continued with the addition of Rabbi Bentzion and Rochel Chanowitz, Rabbi Mendy and Miriam Freund, and Rabbi Zalman and Esther Abend. Their leadership and energy have added new voices to the community, each strengthening the same shared heart.
Today, Chabad of Parkland is the beating heart of Jewish life in the region. Enter through our doors and you will encounter Jews from every walk of life. From young families to seniors, newcomers to lifelong residents. Whether the deeply observant or the newly curious. Each voice is different. Each journey is unique. Yet together, they form one vibrant, unified community.
From caring for our youngest children to supporting individuals with special needs and seniors, Chabad of Parkland is a living ecosystem of Jewish life. Its many moving parts work in harmony to ensure that every Jew has a place, a program, and a path forward. Among these are:
A premier early-childhood school, with waitlists for enrollment. This highly regarded program nurtures creativity, confidence, and Jewish identity at the earliest stages of life.
The largest Hebrew school in Florida, this program educates over 220 children and brings Jewish knowledge and pride to families across the community.
From our Parkland day camp to our sleepaway camps for girls in Lake Worth and boys on a new 100-acre campus in Central Florida, each summer nearly 1,000 children experience joyful, values-driven Jewish living.
Serving children and adults with special needs, Friendship Circle embodies the very heart of our community. Its next chapter, the Friendship Café, now under construction, will be fully staffed by adults with special needs, thereby creating dignity, opportunity, and true inclusion.
This is aunique mentoring initiative for gifted high-school juniors and seniors. This incredibly successful program cultivates ethical leadership, personal growth, and moral clarity in the next generation.
Our newest and fastest-growing effort, which expands Torah study across all levels. From Lunch & Learn, to choices of in-depth classes in Tanya, Talmud, Navi, and Jewish history. This program is positioning Chabad of Parkland as a Torah center for the entire region.
Through our Chanukah Ambassadors of Light and Pesach Ambassadors of Freedom, thousands of menorahs and thousands of pounds of shmurah matzah are distributed annually, thereby reaching Jews who may otherwise feel disconnected and reminding them that they are part of our collective heart.
Beyond education and services, Chabad of Parkland thrives as a social and spiritual home. Teen programming, C-Teen, Jewish Learning Institute classes, Kiddush & Cocktails, Taste of Shabbat, and an ever-expanding slate of women’s and children’s programs create countless entry points into Jewish life. Each of these immensely valubale initiatives allows every member of our community to express their own voice and contribute in their own way.
This gala evening celebrates exactly that. We are a community drawn from many places and backgrounds, expressing many voices, yet bound together by one heart: a heart devoted to Torah, mitzvot, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to one another.
As we continue to grow, it is our hope that Chabad of Parkland will inspire every individual to find their voice, strengthen their connection, and help our shared heart beat even stronger for ourselves, for our community, for our children, and for generations to come.