Florida Is Shining and Vibrant

Inside the Sukkah

Recently at Beit Edmond Jacob Safra Synagogue, we welcomed the arrival of Rabbi Galimidi, our new rabbi, who uplifted the spirits of the local community. We also welcomed a new cantor, Yonathan Hen, who has enhanced the sounds of our prayers.

This year, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur were exceptional in Florida despite the fact that our state has been hit the hardest, not by a hurricane, but by the real estate debacle. Yet our synagogue was totally sold out.

During the first hour of the holiday, you could see and feel the unrest in the faces of our congregants, but the minute the warm, sincere incantations and the exultations and trust in the Almighty were experienced by the entire congregation, we felt the electricity and were uplifted. That night, as we exited the synagogue, we felt we could handle and overcome anything that would be thrown at us. We were resilient and invigorated; the rabbi and the cantor both did a great job.

Despite the real estate problem, houses are selling because Florida includes (in the sale of every house and apartment) things that no other state has—lush trees, plants and flowers, warm weather and sunshine all year-round. That is a commodity that will never disappear.

This year, Sukkot was the best ever. We built a Sukkah of 3,600 square feet on our driveway and a second one on our world-famous balcony on the Intracoastal waters. We were able to feed over 500 people, a complete menu consisting of hot meals of the very best of Middle Eastern cuisine catered by Sara’s Tent. Mr. Altit went the extra mile to provide us with delicious foods such as kibbeh, lahmabaagin, stuffed artichokes, stuffed eggplant, a variety of chicken dishes, fried fish, bamiah, cold cuts, sweets, fruits and more.

We built a sukkah nonpareil in all of Florida as far as size, quality of foods and service. Everyone walked away amazed and psychologically uplifted. Many people donated generously toward this endeavor. We did not charge any money for those partaking in the sukkah on the driveway, due to the generosity of the people sitting on the balcony. I wish everyone in Brooklyn could have been here with us to enjoy this wonderful holiday week. We served 10 meals for Sukkot and every meal was similar to a bar mitzvah buffet.

The children were given bags for Simchat Torah full of candies and toys, thanks to the generous businessmen of our community.

There is a French saying, “après la pluie le beau temps”—after the rains come the beautiful sunshine. This is true in Florida.

We all have to think positively. Be a visionary. We have survived the bad times and we are going into the sunshine—with the arrival of the Mashiach. We are ready!

Here’s wishing you all a very happy and healthy new year.
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Clement Soffer is vice-president of the Beit Edmond Jacob Safra Synagogue.