History was made this week in the Florida Panhandle, as an official Kaparos event was held for the very first time in the region. Fifty-five chickens were brought in from a local farm, as Yeshivas Lubavitch Northwest Florida hosted bochurim, staff, community members, and shluchim who traveled in from across the Panhandle, and even from Alabama, to take part.

The Yeshiva bochurim took an active role in hosting the event, distributing chickens, assisting community members, and staying late into the night to process the chickens. The bochurim were extremely respectful, bringing a sense of kavod and chassidishe warmth to the proceedings, and their dedication helped ensure that the experience was uplifting for all who attended.

Under the leadership of Rabbi Yoseph Wernick and under the spiritual auspices of Rabbi Schneur Oirechman, the establishment of Yeshivas Lubavitch Northwest Florida has created a vibrant and growing hub of Torah, avodah, and chassidus, which is serving and impacting the entire Panhandle region.

Benny Zigelbom, resident shliach of Yeshivas Lubavitch Northwest Florida, served as the shochet for the evening. The entire program was deeply meaningful, with one Chabad shliach remarking that it was reminiscent of the well-known story of the Baal Shem Tov washing his shechita knife with tears.

Additional Yeshiva staff, including Rabbi Baruch Lipovenko, shliach Dovi Wilhelm, and administrator Misha Leah Bertch, were all present and instrumental in ensuring the success of the event.

“This is more than just an event,” said one Chabad shliach who drove in to participate. “It’s a vital part of Yiddishkeit flourishing in the region; the Yeshiva has become a central hub for the local shluchim.”

Adding to the chayus of Tishrei, four bochurim from Shiur Daled in Oholei Torah Zal have joined the Yeshiva for Yom Kippur and Shabbos. Their presence is already infusing the community with extra warmth and energy.

In its first year, Yeshivas Lubavitch is making a tremendous impact on locals, on the bochurim who learn there and their families, on the shluchim, and on the entire region. With bein hazmanim underway, the inaugural zman has already left its mark, and the excitement continues to grow.

A limited number of spots remain open for serious bochurim who wish to grow in learning and chassidishkeit while being part of a groundbreaking makom Torah.