St. Vincent Ferrer would double the size of its school (top right) and add a new portico to the church sanctuary (bottom right). Rendering provided
By Tim Pallesen
St. Vincent Ferrer Church is asking the 2,800 families in its parish for $6.5 million to double the size of its growing Catholic school.
Monsignor Thomas Skindeleski describes the fundraising campaign as “an exciting opportunity to build upon our wonderful heritage and expand our mission” because of the growth that both the parish and the school have enjoyed in recent years.
“This is both a challenge and a hidden blessing for us, as it will enable future generations to enjoy what has been handed to us,” he said.
Enrollment in the pre-K to eighth-grade school has increased from 265 students before four temporary modular classrooms were added in 2013 to 340 students this year. Some students might be turned away when enrollment reaches the school capacity of 360 students next year.
The “Living Our Faith, Building Our Future” campaign includes $5.6 million to construct a 23,000-square-foot building equal in size to the existing school, which will be renovated.
An additional $900,000 is included to build a portico entrance and narthex for the church sanctuary.
INSET BELOW: Rabbi Josh Broide
A Boca Raton rabbi has been honored by making the 2015 list of America’s Most Inspiring Rabbis.
Rabbi Josh Broide, the new Jewish Federation community engagement director, was one of 33 on the list of rabbis “who move us” announced by the national Jewish Daily Forward newspaper.
“Rabbi Broide is truly a gift to our community,” said Larry Feldman, who chairs the federation’s marketing committee.
“He has an amazing ability to connect with people and he’s never met a stranger. His brilliant smile, vibrant energy, positive attitude and joy in his heart are truly contagious.”
Broide was nominated for the honor by Judith Klau, an 80-year-old volunteer at Florida Atlantic University who wandered into Hillel lounge to ask him where she could find a Passover seder. “I met the Energizer Bunny of rabbis,” Klau said.
Broide has been in Boca Raton since 2000. when he was hired to be youth director at the Boca Raton Synagogue. He later became its outreach director. He became the federation’s first community engagement director last year.
“Rabbi Broide is renowned throughout our South County community for his dedicated, vibrant, innovative work to personally connect with Jewish residents of all ages,” federation CEO and President Matthew Levin said.
Broide downplayed the personal honor.
“This is a recognition that our community is headed in the right direction, that we’re succeeding in finding what they’re looking for — a place for every Jew to learn, to grow, to connect, to feel at home,” he said.
“When I see people who have been so unconnected to Jewish life and community get so on fire, I just get energized to do more and more.”
INSET BELOW: Shawn Berry
Unity of Delray Beach has hired a well-known music leader as its new director of music.
Shawn Berry is co-founder and artistic director of the Young Singers of the Palm Beaches, which features 350 singers ages 8 to 18 performing at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts twice each year.
He also is the arts and cultural education manager for the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. He previously served as pianist at the United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches for 25 years.
“Shawn not only brings with him a wide range of musical talent, but also a joyous spirit,” Unity associate minister Laurie Durgan said. “He is deeply committed to using his gifts to create an atmosphere of sacredness and worship.”
INSET BELOW: Rabbi Efrem Goldberg
The Guinness Book of World Records has recognized the Boca Raton Synagogue for the world’s largest Jewish prayer shawl.
The massive 1,472-square-foot prayer shawl, known as a tallit, was created in 2012 for all children under bar- and bat-mitzvah age to receive a special blessing on the holiday of Simhat Torah.
Parents and grandparents added names of children who are able to look up under the shawl to see their names during the blessing.
“We are blessed to have close to a thousand children in the synagogue, which necessitated a tallit of this size,” Rabbi Efrem Goldberg said. “While we are proud of the record, we hope to break it ourselves because we will need a bigger one to fit even more children.”
INSET BELOW: KristenMurtaugh
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has increased its salary offer as it renews its search for a new rector.
A search last year didn’t produce a candidate who the search committee felt could lead St. Paul’s as its neighborhood on South Swinton Avenue in Delray Beach becomes gentrified with redevelopment.
“The neighborhood has been changing very fast now,” search committee vice chairman Kristen Murtaugh said. “We’re looking for someone excited by change who can help us envision what our role is going to be.”
The committee updated that need for help in its community ministry profile sent to candidates. Applications are due May 15.
“There’s a little more money, too,” said Murtaugh. Officials would not say how much.
Tim Pallesen writes about faiths, their congregations, causes and community events. Email at tcpallesen@aol.com.
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