In this inspiring episode, Michael Miller sits down with Rabbi Ari Werbler, Rabbi of Chabad of Southwest Miami, for a thoughtful and engaging conversation centered on doing good, faith, and the role of scripture in everyday life. Together, they explore how timeless teachings and spiritual values can guide individuals toward purpose-driven living, stronger communities, and positive impact in today’s world.
Rabbi Werbler shares insights drawn from Jewish tradition and scripture, offering practical wisdom on kindness, responsibility, and the power of small good deeds. The discussion reflects on how faith-based principles transcend backgrounds and beliefs, creating common ground rooted in compassion, service, and moral clarity. Michael Miller guides the conversation with a focus on real-life application, making the dialogue both relatable and meaningful for viewers.
This episode highlights the importance of community, reflection, and leadership grounded in values, providing viewers with an uplifting perspective on how doing good can shape both personal growth and collective well-being.
About Miami Community Newspapers Miami Community Newspapers is a leading local media organization dedicated to covering community news, civic engagement, and meaningful conversations across Miami-Dade County. Through in-depth interviews, podcasts, and original programming, Miami Community Newspapers connects residents with local leaders, businesses, and organizations making a positive impact. Watch more shows and interviews at CNewsTV.com.
Pictured here surrounding Jingle Bells Run honoree, Mercy Hospital Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gilbert Beauperthuy-Rojas, are members of the hospital staff including CEO Allyssa Tobitt, Mercy COO Jessica Miller (in a standout costume), and Mercy Director of Communications, Annabel Beyra.
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Pictured here at CGWC’s Holiday Dinner meeting are Carol Horowitz, Carmen Suarez and Dr. Iris Torres Rivera.
Pictured here are Scott and Belinda Sime at the couple’s annual holiday toy drive party celebrating the hundreds of toys party guests brought for children in need this holiday season.
Pictured here surrounding Jingle Bells Run honoree, Mercy Hospital Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gilbert Beauperthuy-Rojas, are members of the hospital staff including CEO Allyssa Tobitt, Mercy COO Jessica Miller (in a standout costume), and Mercy Director of Communications, Annabel Beyra.
Pictured here at Coral Gables Bar’s holiday mixer hosted by Banesco are Erbi Blanco-True, Banesco’s Community Relations Director, with Coral Gables Bar President Danny Fors.
If you are like me, the calendar of festive events is packed with amazing ways to celebrate the season. The first week in December, the Coral Gables Woman’s Club’s Gringo Bingo on December 2nd, helped raise funds for The Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bells Run. The run on December 6th was a smashing—and hilarious—success. Held at Tropical Park, there were costumed holiday characters everywhere you turned. The morning run drew a great crowd including a strong team from HCA Mercy Hospital, whose orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gilbert Beauperthuy-Rojas, was the event honoree. On hand to cheer on participants were Mercy CEO, Allyssa Tobitt; Mercy COO Jessica Miller (in a standout costume); Mercy Director of Communications; Annabel Beyra; and Arely Ruiz, President of the Coral Gables Woman’s Club—just a few among the hundreds who took part in the lively morning run.
As for Gringo Bingo, kudos go to the club’s longtime volunteers, Steven Bradley, the much-loved “Gringo,” who calls the numbers each month, and Corey Tennyson, who provided DJ services that day. What began in 2019 as a one-time bingo fundraiser for veterans—created by Steven and this writer—quickly grew into a monthly tradition that has since raised well over $100,000 for dozens of nonprofits. The club continues this success thanks in large part to Steven, who donates his time despite a demanding schedule as managing partner of Vivo Sports and Social at Dolphin Mall, and the support of Community Newspapers to promote the events.
From the run, we move on that December 6th to The Villagers Holiday House Tour, presented this year as a festive Stroll in the Grove. Before the event, Villagers President Gina Guilford and Past President Kelly Schild (Gina’s sister) joined Gloria’s Gab LIVE to highlight the event and the extraordinary impact The Villagers has made in historic preservation. Kelly, who co-chaired this year’s tour with Merlin Ebbert, shared that the group has awarded $2 million in grants to 200 organizations, an astonishing achievement for an all-volunteer nonprofit. With record attendance this year (1,000 tickets sold), 2026 promises to be even more impactful for preservation projects.
The historic Coral Gables Woman’s Club, itself a past Villagers grantee, recently showcased both history and artistry by hosting Her Art Basel on December 3. Curated by Arts & Culture Chair Alex Guillen, the exhibition featured works by women artists, including her mother, Celia Guillen. While one ballroom became an elegant gallery, the other hosted the club’s annual Holiday Dinner Party catered by celebrity chef Chris Valdes. Guests enjoyed cocktails, admired the art, then returned for dinner and beautiful performances by Margarita Parsamyan, an operatic soprano and the founder of MP Miami Music School, with one of her students, Elizabeth Rojas.
Sime Realty’s annual holiday party is like few others as Scott and Belinda Sime open their impressive home to hundreds of friends and family to collect toys for children at Lighthouse for the Blind and other charities. The Ugly Sweater theme created lots of fun as guests enjoyed vising with old friends, enjoying festive music, food and drinks. Best of all, this party with a purpose collected more than 500 toys and $1,300 in checks for the Lighthouse for the Blind from generous donors that night.
Coral Gables Community Foundation also held its annual holiday party on December 9th for donors and board hosted once again by Bill Bonn and Ruben Ceballos at their beautiful home on Alhambra. During the evening, CGCF’s new CEO Mauricio Vivero presented CGCF 2024-25 Chair, Michael Walsh, with a gift and thanks for his leadership and service. Among the many enjoying the evening were Ron and Anita Shuffield, Bill and Lynn Kerdyk, David and Cristina Lama Evensky, Jeff Flanagan, John O’Rourke, Matthew Meehan, Roy Gonas, Don Slesnick, III and Cecilia Slesnick,
Coral Gables Bar Association also celebrated the season with a party hosted by Banesco in Coral Gables. Among the many guests enjoying the affair were Banesco’s Community Relations Director Erbi Blanco-True, Coral Gables Bar President Danny Fors, President-Elect Elina Magaly Santana, Immediate Past President Alberto Manrara, Bruce Bounds, Jerry Kavulich, Brian Barakat, and Vanessa Michaud, to mention a very few.
The Merrick Festival Caroling Competition wrapped up with short programs by the winning choirs on December 9th on a rainy evening that forced the final performances inside. This year’s annual competition provided our community with a week of great choral performances by 30 choirs from all over the county vying for more than $17,000 in cash prizes. Festival Executive Director Sally Baumgartner Goodman has been producing thisevent that showcases talented children from across the county for decades and appreciated the generous sponsors including Miami Dade County, City of Coral Gables, Holtz Children’s Hospital, Coral Gables Community Foundation, the Rotary Club of Coral Gables, and so many others. St. Theresa in Coral Gables came home with grand prize for the Middle School Full Choir, a choir that also won the Rotary Club of Coral Gables Award and performed at the December 18, Rotary meeting at the Hyatt.
For a complete list of the prize winner, go to carolingcompetition.org.
Check out these upcoming events and mark your calendar!
Currently running through March, 2026 – South Florida PBS Pharaoh Immersive Experience, at the Boynton Beach offices. For tickets, go to www.southfloridapbs.org ›pharaohs (Look for a new Titanic Experience coming in January, 2026)
Now thru Dec. 31 – Festival of Trees at Miami International Mall Doral – Free admission
January 3 – 6, 2026 – Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Tournament – Biltmore Golf Course, 8 a.m. daily
January 4, 2026 – Annual King Mango Strut Parade – Coconut Grove
January 10, 2026 – Voices for Children Gala- Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne
February 7, 2026 – Coral Gables Woman’s Club’s Annual Children’s Festival – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 1001-9 East Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables. Admission is free.
In closing, remember to count your blessings, share a kind word and a smile, and make a difference.
On December 10, the Doral West Dade Woman’s Club celebrated the holiday season with a cookie and gift exchange at the club’s general meeting where plans for 2026 were the topic of conversation including participation in the General Federation of Women’s Club Florida Arts Competition. Maria Prado, the club’s 1st Vice President was appointed by the club president, Gloria Burns, to also serve as the chair of the Arts & Culture Committee. In addition, the Club’s 2nd Vice President and Membership Chair, Nadya Gribanova, advises that since incorporation with 14 founding members, it looks several others will be added before year’s end. Among the members joining the club’s support for the Marine’s Toys for Tots event at the Intercontinental Hotel with this writer were Ruth Martinez, Stacy Alonso, Nubielena Medina,Emma Machlin,Carmen Siman, Rosemary Ravinal, Liz Wiegandt, and Margarita Parsamyan.
Speaking of the Intercontinental Hotel, the December 4, the White Arts Festival the combined with the Marine’s Toys for Tots event also served to celebrated the hotel’s being named the “Best Hotel in Doral”. Kudos to Randal Pasut and staff for earning this honor and for the hotel’s community outreach. Doral Mayor Christi Fraga attended the event to present the award during a short program that night. It was certainly well deserved.
In other service club news, Doral resident and Vivo Managing Partner, Steven Bradley, continues to support numerous charities by volunteering his talent every month at Coral Gables Woman’s Club (CGWC) Gringo Bingo. This month the club shared the proceeds with the Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bells Run held at Tropical Park on the morning of December 6. On site to present the check was CGWC President Arely Ruiz. That day hundreds of runners and walkers participated in this fun run dressed in all sorts of holiday attire that provided lots of laughs and all for a great cause. Among the highlights of the morning was an opportunity to recognize HCA Mercy Hospital’s orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Gilbert Beauperthuy-Rojas, an event honoree.
Meanwhile, the Merrick Festival Caroling Competition filled the community with music as 30 choirs competed for cash prizes including Doral Academy Prep that won the $1,000 Grand Prize for Senior High School Full Choir. Led annually by Sally Baumgartner Goodman, the event showcases young talent from across Miami-Dade, supported by sponsors including Miami-Dade County, the City of Coral Gables, Holtz Children’s Hospital, Rotary Club of Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Community Foundation, to mention a few. For a complete list of winners, visit carolingcompetition.org.
The 42nd Annual King Mango Strut Parade had ten thousand or more participating in the parade and lining the streets of Coconut Grove on January 4, 2025. Spoofing current events in comical ways is a must for all who want to participate and these groups always deliver. It all started when a group was not allowed to be in the King Orange Bowl Parade decades ago; so, they decided to do their own and the rest is history. Look for more on this online.
Check out these upcoming events and mark your calendar!
Currently running through March, 2026 – South Florida PBS Pharaoh Immersive Experience, at the Boynton Beach offices. For tickets, go to www.southfloridapbs.org ›pharaohs (Look for a new Titanic Experience coming in January, 2026)
Now thru Dec. 31 – Festival of Trees at Miami International Mall Doral – Free admission
January 3 – 6, 2026 – Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Tournament – Biltmore Golf Course, 8 a.m. daily
January 4, 2026 – Annual King Mango Strut Parade – Coconut Grove
January 10, 2026 – Voices for Children Gala- Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne
February 7, 2026 – Coral Gables Woman’s Club’s Annual Children’s Festival – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 1001-9 East Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables. Admission is free.
Finally, remember to count your blessings, share a kind word and a smile, and make a difference!
From Left to Right: Kayla Quesada, Community Outreach Specialist at Chapman Partnership; Chapman Partnership Resident; Scott Hansel, President & CEO of Chapman Partnership; Juan Chipoco, CEO of CVI.CHE 105 Restaurant Group with his son and his daughter; Chapman Partnership Resident; and Candice Myles, Community Relations Manager at Chapman Partnership
In the spirit of the holiday season and his commitment to serving Miami’s most vulnerable communities, renowned Peruvian Chef Juan Chipoco, Founder of CVI.CHE 105 and The Juan Chipoco Foundation, prepared and served more than 500 warm holiday meals to residents at Chapman Partnership’s Downtown Miami Center.
For many individuals and families experiencing homelessness, Chapman Partnership is more than a shelter – it is a pathway to stability and a place that offers support, dignity, and hope. Chef Chipoco aims to make the holidays feel a little more like home by sharing a comforting meal and spending time with residents during one of the most meaningful times of the year.
“It’s a privilege to give back,” said Chipoco. “Everyone deserves to feel joy and the comfort of community – especially during the holidays. Providing a warm meal is just a small way to remind our neighbors that they are not alone. If I can bring even a moment of comfort and joy, or a small sense of home during the holidays, that’s what this season is truly about.”
The event, held on Tuesday, December 16, continued a heartfelt holiday tradition for The Juan Chipoco Foundation. Last year, Chipoco and his team served more than 250 meals to healthcare heroes and essential personnel at Holtz Children’s Hospital at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center.
The Juan Chipoco Foundation focuses on addressing food insecurity, improving healthcare access, and providing mentorship and resources to children and families in need. The foundation often collaborates with institutions focused on children’s health, ensuring vulnerable individuals and families receive the care they need.
About Juan Chipoco
Juan Chipoco is one of the most renowned Peruvian chefs in the United States, celebrated for his culinary mastery and pivotal role in promoting Peruvian cuisine globally. An immigrant with an inspiring story of hard work, determination, and visionary leadership, Chef Chipoco has significantly contributed to the global expansion and positioning of the Peru brand. He is recognized as one of the most successful and influential Latinos in the country. Chef Chipoco’s accomplishments have garnered widespread media attention, with features on major networks such as Fox and ABC, solidifying his status as a key figure in the renaissance of Latin cuisine in Miami. Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Chef Chipoco’s influence extends far beyond his distinguished culinary achievements; he is a prominent leader in South Florida’s Hispanic community, inspiring many with his journey from humble beginnings to culinary excellence.
With Peru always in his heart, Chef Chipoco continues to lead Miami’s gastronomic revolution, expanding his culinary empire across South Florida and the U.S. He currently operates nine thriving restaurants, with three more in development. His flagship restaurant, CVI.CHE105, has been recognized as one of Miami’s best restaurants for over a decade, attracting nearly 6,000 diners daily and remaining a must-visit for both tourists and locals. For more information, visitCeviche 105 orJuan Chipoco Foundation.
When a teenager arrives at Lippman Youth Shelter, they step into a place that has quietly stood as a safe harbor for more than four decades. They’re met with a bed, a warm meal, a listening ear and a team ready to help map a route back to family and stability. Now, thanks to a $630,000 grant from The Jim Moran Foundation to support renovations, the shelter’s walls and grounds will better reflect the care happening inside.
Automotive pioneer Jim Moran established the Jim Moran Foundation in 2000 to ensure his compassionate philanthropy would continue for many generations to come. To mark its 25th anniversary, The Foundation has proactively awarded more than $10 million in special grants – with more to be announced in the coming months — that reach beyond its traditional giving.
Lippman serves more than 100 young people each year and is the only shelter in Broward County licensed specifically for teens. At the shelter, LSF’s trained staff provide on-site counseling, group therapy and case management for adolescents who arrive with trauma, family instability or nowhere else to go. The program’s focus on stabilization and family reunification isn’t just a driving force; it is a recipe for success. This success can be seen in Lippman’s outcomes: 93% of youth are successfully reunited with their families.
For all the quiet, life-changing work that happens in Lippman’s programs, the building itself has begun to show its age. After years of housing countless teens, the facility needs repairs and updates: everything from landscaping and lighting to interior improvements so that the space feels safer, calmer and more welcoming for the young people who live there.
Small changes can be big signals. A brighter doorway, a freshly painted room and a safer outdoor space are the everyday comforts that tell a teen they are seen, valued and worth investing in.
The Foundation’s investment preserves a program that has long been a bellwether for teen recovery in Florida and gives LSF the chance to align the shelter’s physical space with the high-quality care its staff provide every day. It is, in many ways, an act of compassion that will ripple outward for years to come. Brighter rooms and safer grounds lead to steadier families and stronger futures.
The mission of The Jim Moran Foundation is to improve the quality of life for the youth and families of Florida through the support of innovative programs and opportunities that meet the ever-changing needs of the community. Since its inception, The Foundation has invested more than $300 million in education, elder care, family strengthening and transitional living initiatives in Broward, Duval and Palm Beach counties. Additional funding has been committed through multi-year grants. Through a long-term Grant Agreement, The Foundation’s significant funder is JM Family Enterprises, Inc. Learn more by visiting www.jimmoranfoundation.org.
If you’d like to be a part of this renovation, please consider supporting Lippman Youth Shelter. Your gift will help make the shelter a more restorative place for young people during one of the most formative times in their lives. Become part of Lippman’s story by visiting lsfbuildinghope.org/lippman.
About LSF
LSF is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to helping the most vulnerable Floridians. We do this by reducing the suicide and drug addiction rate, giving families in crisis the support they need to persevere, and making sure those in poverty get the education they need to close the achievement gap. We have three lines of service, Head Start, Family Focus and Health Systems. For more information about LSF and its programs, please visit www.lsfnet.org or contact LSF Director of Communications, Savannah Hill, at savannah.hill@lsfnet.org.
About the Jim Moran Foundation
Automotive pioneer Jim Moran established The Jim Moran Foundation in 2000 to ensure his compassionate philanthropy would continue for many generations to come. To recognize its 25th Anniversary, The Foundation has already proactively awarded more than $10 million in special grants – with more to be announced in the coming months – that reach beyond its traditional giving guidelines to support nonprofit partners in Broward, Duval and Palm Beach counties.
The South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SFLHCC) honored Aida Levitan, Ph.D. with the Mentorship – Making a Difference Award at its annual Hispanic Women’s Society Network (HWSN) awards luncheon on Friday, December 5, at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. HWSN is a group within SFLHCC focused on empowering, supporting, and connecting Hispanic women in business and leadership. The luncheon celebrates the strength, leadership, and achievements of women in the community.
“Aida’s mentorship strengthened my confidence and helped guide my career path,” said Lily Lopez, SFLHCC. “Her leadership and generosity continue to inspire me every day.”
“Aida embodies the kind of visionary leadership that inspires everyone around her and is a remarkable mentor whose influence strengthens our entire U.S. Century Bank family,” shared Martha Guerra-Kattou, EVP, Director of Sales and Marketing at U.S. Century Bank.
Dr. Levitan serves on the board of U.S. Century Bank, headquartered in Miami, which has $2.8 billion in assets and is one of the largest community banks in Florida. She served as chairman of the board from 2017 to 2021. Levitan founded the Coalition of Hispanic American Women and has mentored women for decades. As founder and president of ArtesMiami, she also champions Hispanic arts and culture and serves on several prominent boards, including the Perez Art Museum Miami and FACE (Facts About Cuban Exiles).
About U.S. Century Bank
Established in 2002, U.S. Century Bank is one of the largest community banks headquartered in Miami, and one of the largest community banks in the state of Florida. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of USCB Financial Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: USCB) and rated 5-Stars by BauerFinancial, the nation’s leading independent bank rating firm. U.S. Century Bank offers customers a wide range of financial products and services and supports numerous community organizations, including the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and ChamberSouth. For more information or to find a banking center near you, please call (305) 715-5200 or visit www.uscentury.com.
Start the new year with your best foot forward! Move, stretch and recharge with Galleria Fort Lauderdale’s new Get Fit 2026series of yoga, Pilates and Zumba classes. Beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, guests can enjoy complimentary classes offered in partnership with Powerhouse Gym and BeYogaFit Studio. It’s the perfect way to stay active or get started, joining friends and neighbors to exercise and meditate for increased energy, reduced stress and relaxation.
“Galleria Fort Lauderdale is proud to offer this free fitness series led by top health and movement professionals,” said Melissa Milroy, marketing manager at Galleria Fort Lauderdale. “It’s a wonderful way to improve well-being and kick off the new year with positive energy, all in the heart of the mall. We invite the community to come exercise, make friends, and enjoy shopping and dining every Saturday.”
The series, designed to inspire health and wellness in an accessible, welcoming and climate-controlled setting, will take place every Saturday at 9 a.m. in the mall’s center near Swarovski. Classes will alternate weekly led by expert instructors – restorative yoga with Beth Shaw, energizing Zumba with Sandra Fuller, and flexible Pilates with Pauline Case. The January 17 class will kick off with Zumba, followed by yoga on January 24 and Pilates on January 31. The cycle repeats every Saturday through April 11.
Beth Shaw
Beth Shaw is the founder and CEO of YogaFit Training Systems Worldwide, Inc., the world’s largest yoga, mind, body, and education company, and a trailblazer in the global wellness movement, as well as an entrepreneur, author, and visionary who has redefined the approach to yoga, fitness, and mindful living. She has built the world’s largest Yoga Alliance-approved mind-body education school, training over 250,000 instructors in more than 60 countries. She is the author of four best-selling books, each exploring the intersection of body, mind, and spirit through an empowering and practical lens: YogaFit, YogaLean, Healing Trauma with Yoga, The YogaFit Athlete, and YogaFit Basics & Back Health. As a leading voice in mind-body wellness and health coach, Shaw shares her expertise and inspiring journey through numerous speaking engagements at corporate events, conferences, and universities, as well as television appearances and podcast interviews. From the UN to USA Today, Beth has presented and spoken on a multitude of topics to empower a diverse range of audiences globally.
Sandra Fuller
Sandra Fuller is a passionate Zumba instructor with over eight years of experience in the fitness industry. Certified in Zumba, Zumba Gold®, Zumba Toning, Zumba Kids and Aqua Zumba, she offers high energy classes that blend fun, rhythm, and effective workouts. Her goal is to create classes that get people moving, smiling, and feeling great, offering enjoyable and engaging workouts.
Pauline Case
Pauline Case is an experienced fitness and wellness professional with over a decade of teaching across South Florida’s top gyms, luxury residential buildings, and wellness spaces. She specializes in strength training, Pilates sculpt, barre, yoga, and breathwork, blending intelligent movement with mindful awareness to create classes that are both empowering and transformative. Known for her clear cueing, athletic flow, and encouraging presence, Case’s classes focus on building strength, improving mobility, and enhancing posture, while helping clients feel confident and connected in their bodies. Her background in breathwork and somatic practices allows her to guide students safely and effectively—whether they’re pushing through a challenging workout or learning how to recover and reset. She believes fitness should support the whole person—body, mind, and nervous system—and her goal is to help every client leave class feeling stronger, more balanced, and energized for life beyond the gym.
Participants of all ages and fitness levels are welcome to join. Registration is required at bit.ly/galleriafitness2026, and attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable attire, bring water, a yoga mat and towels.
For details on the class schedule and additional upcoming events at Galleria Fort Lauderdale, call (954) 564-1015 or visit www.galleriamall-fl.com.
About Galleria Fort Lauderdale
Galleria Fort Lauderdale, recognized as one of South Florida’s premier shopping destinations, features a variety of popular dining and retail options. Macy’s, Dillard’s and H&M anchor the center which also is home to Altar’d State, Apple, Banana Republic, Free People and Pandora. The center features a fine roster of dining establishments such as Seasons 52, The Capital Grille and P.F. Chang’s. Powerhouse Gym can also be found at the property. Just steps away from Fort Lauderdale’s world-famous beach, it is minutes from the airport, port, downtown, hotels and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center with easy access from Sunrise Boulevard, U.S. Highway 1 (Federal Highway), Interstate 95, Interstate 595, and U.S. Highway A1A (Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard). Located at 2414 East Sunrise Blvd., it is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mon. through Sat. and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sun. Restaurants and anchors enjoy varied hours. More information is available by calling 954-564-1015 or by visiting www.galleriamall-fl.com.
