Construction of New Visitor Center to Begin at Jerusalem's Western Wall

Aguiar to Introduce Project at The Shul of Bal Harbor, Thursday evening, April 14, 8:00 p.m.

MIAMI, Fla., April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Florida entrepreneur Guma Aguiar is preparing to announce plans for a visitor center now under development at Jerusalem's Western Wall.

Aguiar, 33, who made his fortune in energy, will share his vision for the project Thursday evening, at The Shul in Bal Harbor, at an event honoring the 109th birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of blessed memory.

The Brazilian-born businessman has decided to dedicate several properties he accumulated in one of the world's prime real estate locations to a space that will reflect the Rebbe's vision and love for Jewish unity, Jerusalem, Israel and humanity at large.

The concept, he says, is to help visitors to Israel's holiest site "walk away with something enduring" so that the spiritual experience at the wall sustains them beyond their brief visit. Multi-media exhibits on the Rebbe's interaction with Israel's leadership, his ideas about Israel, its relationship to the Jewish people, and its broader relevance will offer visitors a deeper perspective on their visit to Jerusalem.

"This is my way of helping to enrich the lives of others as the Rebbe has enriched my own life," said Aguiar, who, raised as an Evangelical Christian, eventually discovered his Jewish roots.

"The beauty of the idea for 770 Western Parkway"—the name Guma has given the project—"is that it's a partnership between a lay-leader like myself, and Chabad-Lubavitch, with a universal message of relevance to people from all walks of life."

With design plans now well underway, construction on the projects is set to begin shortly. The center will feature outdoor space for social events, with direct views of the Wall and the Temple Mount.

Rabbi Moishe Meir Lipszyc, director of Chabad of Ft. Lauderdale, says "I expect that this will become a destination on the itinerary of every visitor to Jerusalem."

Aguiar will share more about his plans at The Shul of Bal Harbor, 9540 Collins Avenue, Thursday evening, April 14, at 8:00 pm. 

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SOURCE Lubavitch News Service/lubavitch.com