Remembering a South Florida Legend: 23rd Yahrzeit of Rabbi Dovid Bryn zt”l

Sunday, 6 Iyar – May 4, 5785 (2025), marks the 23rd Yohrtzeit (anniversary of his passing) of South Florida legend, the beloved Rabbi Dovid Bryn zt”l, founder of Chabad Chayil and the California Club Shul.

Mostly known for his unending acts of kindness and genuine love for every human being, Rabbi Bryn is truly missed by all who knew him. Some rabbis are known for their gigantic shuls and temples, but Rabbi Bryn had a much bigger Shul—one not bound by walls. His shul was in the flea markets, on the soccer fields of the JCC, and in people’s homes. A typical Sunday afternoon was spent in a teenager’s living room with a pair of Tefillin and a group of friends. His shul lived in the community’s hearts.

Rabbi Bryn was a Chabad rabbi and emissary of the Rebbe to North Dade, whose life was tragically cut short at age 40 by Marfan syndrome, a condition that affects the body’s connective tissue. For over a quarter of a century, Rabbi Bryn—himself the son of Holocaust survivors—courageously battled the fatal disease that decimated his heart, yet managed to minister to, counsel, and inspire tens of thousands of Jews and non-Jews alike.

He fed the hungry and poor, counseled the sick and the troubled—all with great courage, fortitude, and self-sacrifice. He arranged marriages, taught Torah and ethics to thousands, and bridged the interfaith gap by working closely with people and clergy of all faiths. He was the living embodiment of kindness and bravery.

Some might be troubled by the precariousness of constantly living on the edge of existence, but Rabbi Bryn’s overflowing concern for others left no room for worry over his own well-being. He lived the equivalent of 120 years of good in a third of the time.

One friend wrote on RabbiDovidBryn.org, a site created to honor this legendary Chassid:

“If he could breathe, then he would talk to others about G-d’s good, the beauty of a Mitzvah, or life’s bright spots. If he could walk, then he would go to share life with others and show positive perspective as it should be seen. If he could drink, then he would toast L’Chaim to all things positive and constructive. If he could sing, then he would. If he could do, then he did. He showed strength not owned by men who appear stronger. He showed love that is only written about. He lived a full life of treating others as one would treat themselves. When I need an example of the unrelenting power of love, I think of him.”

For the past 22 years, we’ve gathered annually for a Farbrengen—to say a L’chaim, reminisce about the good times, and most importantly, reflect on how his chesed, his loving kindness for every human being, could be emulated.

Please join us on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 10:00 AM for an hour-long Farbrengen & inspiration. The Breakfast Farbrengen will take place at Chabad Chayil’s temporary location behind 2601 NE 211 Ter, in the Highland Lakes section of West Aventura.

Shacharit services will be at 9:00 AM, followed by the Breakfast Farbrengen at 10:00 AM. At 11:30 AM, we will proceed to Mt. Sinai Cemetery on Opa-Locka to say Tehillim with a Minyan at his resting place.

The Farbrengen will be broadcast live on Facebook Live, YouTube Live, and at RabbiDovidBryn.org.

To view or share photos or experiences of this remarkable man, please visit RabbiDovidBryn.org. You can also learn about the new Chabad Chayil center being built in his honor by calling 305-770-1919 or visiting the site. To dedicate a part of the new building—or even 1 square foot for $180—please visit BuildChabadChayil.org.

Please dedicate this day to doing an extra mitzvah by going out of your way to do someone a favor. You can be his hands and feet in making this world a better place. Think global, but act local! Don’t push it off until tomorrow—do something today! Your act of kindness will help heal a wounded world and bring it closer to perfection—with the coming of Moshiach. May that happen today!

About the Author:
Rabbi Moishe Kievman, together with his wife, serves as the Rebbe’s ambassador to Highland Lakes, FL. They are the founders of Gan Chabad Preschool, your local CTeen & CKids chapters, and CHAP—an afterschool program for Jewish children in public schools. Rabbi Kievman also directs Chabad Chayil and serves as the rabbi at The Family Shul.

He can be reached at (305) 770-1919 or [email protected]. You can support the community by partnering at ChabadChayil.org/Partner.