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Why we can't have mirrors in our new Shul

Dear Friends,

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Breakthrough was redefined this week for our community as we literally burst the walls of our new Shul with 22 windows and doors. Heavy equipment, tractors, bulldozers, bobcats and massive chainsaws are all working hard as we speak, to cut the openings through our rock solid walls.

Soon we'll be ready to install our hurricane glass windows and our Stained Glass Windows committee is just about to give the go ahead to our world class artist to begin working on custom designing stunning windows for the entire House of Fire!

On the interior, the wall framing is complete. starting window.jpgFPL is ready to connect full electric power to the Shul- so we're going live, bringing fire into the former Fire House. Certainly making good progress with the help of G-d and the help of your generous donations!

What is the difference between a window and a mirror? Both are made of clear glass, however one allows you to see others, while the other allows you only to see yourself.

Why is this?

The answer lies in a thin film of silver that lies behind the mirror. Sometimes all it takes to prevent one from seeing others lies only in a thin silver lining allowing one only to see oneself.

It's an important reminder that wealth, is not just a gift from Heaven, it's actually a test!

The Rebbe teaches us that whilst poverty is a test of our faith, wealth is an even greater test of faith. How will you react when G-d sends you a film of silver? Will you turn into a 'mirror' or continue to be a 'window'?

The more successful we are in passing the test, in being selfless and sensitive to others despite our wealth, the more wealth G-d sends us to test us even more.

One such window was Mr. Sami Rohr of Bal Harbour, Florida. The more gold and silver G-d sent him, the more he gave to others. This week was the first Yahrtzeit of this giant of a man- read about his amazing life at www.JewishGardens.com/SamiRohr

rubble.jpgEthics of the Father's clarifies; 'Who is rich? One who is happy with his lot.' Remember, wealth is not only financial assets. If you have your health, a roof over your head, your family and friends, you have your health. We all have what to give others. What matters is that you never forget to keep looking out that window and not allow the silver lining to blind you to their needs.

So whilst we'll have beautiful mirrors in our Shul, our warm and caring community is made up of 'windows' who care and not of 'mirrors' who don't!

As we break through our windows, prove to G-d that you are a 'window' and not a 'mirror'! Help us to help others:

  1. 1. Mail a check to Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens- Building Fund4106 PGA Blvd. Palm Beach Gardens Fl 33410

2. Donate online at www.JewishGardens.com/Donate

3. Browse the available dedication opportunities at www.JewishGardens.com/BuildingTheDream

4. Have a conversation with one of the friendly chairmen of our building committee:
Mitch Zachary:
561-209-1101 - [email protected]
or Michael Paolercio:
914-760-5219- [email protected]

Wishing you a Shabbos of passing all your tests with flying colors!!

Rabbi Dovid and Chana Vigler

www.JewishGardens.com/BuildingtheDream
www.FaceBook.com/JewishGardens
4106 PGA Blvd.
Palm Beach Gardens FL 33410

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Why we wasted $30,000 this week

 We are rapidly making progress in the construction of our new Shul on the South Western Corner of PGA Blvd. and the Turnpike. Having concluded most of the exterior work for now with a water tight building, we have installed the interior framing of the walls HVAC.jpgand the wall roughs for the plumbing and electrical. All air handlers have been installed,copper condensing pipes have been run and 90% of the ductwork is now in. 

Next week you'll be seeing the 18 (chai) windows and doors cut out on the perimeter of the building so that the interior framing can be finished. 

It's so exciting to see so many members of the community pull up randomly just to 'kvel' and 'shep nachas'. This Shul is truly a community project and we all are its guardians.

Upon noticing all the copper pipes, thick insulation, aluminum sheets and duct work of the highest quality being installed, it truly got me thinking. Why should perfectly good money and time be wasted on things that no one will ever see, things that will forever to be hidden behind sheet rock and drop ceilings?!

The answer obviously, is that in order to have beauty on the outside, it is imperative to have beauty on the inside.

A truly beautiful person is one who is beautiful on the inside. Exterior garments and features are worthless if the interior is of inferior quality. 

As the wise King Solomon states: 'Grace is false and beauty vain, but a thoughtful and sensitive woman, she is to be praised'. It is what goes on in our minds and hearts that is the real indicator of the kind of person that we are. It is the thoughts we think, the words we speak and the feelings we feel that attest to who we are.

Interior framing.jpgHow many minutes a day do you spend thinking? I don't mean reactionary thinking, I mean focused, quality, pro active thinking. Perhaps seconds?

Kaballah, and now modern science, tells us that the thoughts that we think are made of energy. They are real even though they are hidden. High quality thoughts effect high quality actions.

If we can spend tens of thousands of dollars on top quality drywall insulation and piping that never sees the light of day, surely we can realize the great power and potential that top quality thoughts and speech can have on the quality of our day to day lives. So go ahead and do an inspection on your soul, see how beautiful it is or if it may need some slight remodeling.

 Please help us complete this historic and important community project!

Here's how you can help:

 Thank you for your support! 

Wishing you a Shabbat of fresh thinking,

Rabbi Dovid and Chana Vigler

Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens
www,JewishGardens.com 
4106 PGA Blvd.  
Palm Beach Gardens Fl 33410 

Have you ever done anything that will last forever?

Whilst Jews communities around the world commemorate the saddest day Pouring Concrete 07102013.JPGof the Jewish Calendar on Monday night, we as a community have good reason to transform that sadness into joy.

Tisha'Bav is the day that both our ancient temples were destroyed and so we fast and mourn. But in Palm Beach Gardens, we are reversing that sadness bybuilding our Temple!!

Cement Truck.JPGThis week, we poured the concrete throughout the new Shul, began installation of HVAC and passed the electric inspection allowing us to connect full power to the Shul.

I was inspired as we watched the five cement trucks pump concrete into our Shul. Concrete is made up of mere sand, each grain so weak and weightless on its own. But when joined together, many grains of sand form the strongest and most enduring substance known to mankind!

Our Temples were destroyed 1900 and 2400 years ago, because of disunity amongst our people. But today, we unite as a community on a shared dream and vision for a brighter, happier tomorrow! Concrete on plumbing 07102013.JPGTogether, we harness the power of synergy, to build a Center to last a lifetime.

Join our concrete!! We need your help to create a Center that wil last forever! Together, we are changing the future of the Jewish Nation!

Please help us reach our goal by making your dedication in our new Shul:

What I found when I returned home from vacation

overcoming-obstacles.jpgHave you experienced great obstacles in your life recently? Does it seem like reaching your goals is near impossible? I did last week.

 

Having just returned from an incredible trip to Israel, I was looking forward to the exciting project of completing our new Shul. Construction began while I was away, but many meetings needed to be set, funds solicited and pledges collected in order to complete the dream.

 

As I arrived home, I was stunned to discover the harsh reality of living in Florida. The air conditioner at our home had malfunctioned in our absence.....oy vey!  My week was consumed with calls to AC contractors, mold specialists, insurance claims and many more. I got a real education in home ownership!

 

Feeling overwhelmed by the daunting task of restoring order in our home, I sought the meaning in the madness. Why would G-d send me these tzorress right now, at such a critical time of construction for the entire community?!

Then I recalled our forefather Abraham. On his way to carry out his final and ultimate sacrifice of bringing his beloved son upon the altar, Satan put as many obstacles in his way to make his mission impossible. The midrash even tells of a river Satan created to block his journey, but when the waters reached Abraham’s nose, a sign that nothing, even these waters would deter him, the river disappeared and he carried on his travels. Thus, Abraham was able to prove his absolute faith in G-d, passing his tenth and most difficult challenge with flying colors.

 

There is a Talmudic teaching: 'the pleasure is proportionate to the reward'. When something is really important, it’s then that the Satan, G-d's angel in charge of testing us, will send us the greatest challenge. When something's not important, there really is nothing to distract us from it!

 

So instead of feeling dejected and despondent by the challenges I faced, I was strengethed and enthused. By the size of the obstacles before me, I could tell that my destination was of great importance.

 

So the next time you feel overwhelmed with challenges, transform your conniption into calm and your enmity into enthusiasm as you realize the great importance of the destination that awaits you!

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