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UK News

The latest news stories about Chabad Lubavitch from around the UK.

Giant Menorah Lighting in Stamford Hill Draws Record Crowd of Over 1,200 People

 

Stamford Hill, London – December 30, 2024 – The 5th annual Giant Menorah Lighting in Stamford Hill took place on the 6th night of Chanukah, Monday, December 30th, and set a new record with over 1,200 attendees of all ages—from infants to seniors. The event, organized by Lubavitch Stamford Hill and the Lubavitch Children's Centre, was a spectacular celebration of Jewish tradition, unity, and community spirit.

The evening began with joyous singing and a welcoming address by the shliach to Stamford Hill Rabbi Sholem Ber Sudak, the Master of Ceremonies, who guided the crowd through the night's festivities. Rabbi Shmuel Lew, Senior member of Hanholah, also delivered an inspiring speech, reflecting on the significance of Chanukah and the strength of the local Jewish community.

One of the special highlights of the night was when children  were called up to recite the 12 Pesukim (verses). The crowd joined in, echoing the children’s recitations, creating a powerful communal moment. This beautiful display of unity was followed by a recitation of Tehilim (Psalms) by Dayan Levi Y. Raskin, a beloved community leader, who also delivered an inspiring address before leading the crowd in song.

A special video presentation of the Lubavitcher Rebbe was shown live on a large screen, offering the audience a deeply moving connection to the Rebbe’s message, helping to further elevate the spiritual experience of the evening.

Thanks to the use of a boom camera and a drone, the event was captured from every angle, ensuring that all attendees had a clear view of the proceedings, with live footage streamed on the large screen. This technology provided an immersive experience, allowing everyone to feel involved in the communal celebration, no matter their location.

The centerpiece of the evening was the lighting of the Giant Menorah. In a heartwarming moment, long-time educator Rabbi Dovid Karnovsky was honored with the privilege of lighting the menorah on the 6th night, marking his decades of dedication to the Stamford Hill community. The Menorah was  designed by renowned artist Yitzchok Moully. _DSC7970.jpg

Singer Shloimy Gertner, together with Yehudah Potash led the community in the song of Haneros Halalu. After the lighting, Moully led the crowd in creating an interactive art piece called “An Overflowing Dreidel,” where attendees contributed to the artwork, which will soon be displayed outside Lubavitch House.

Rabbi Mendel Sudak, local shliach, project manager and organizer of the Giant Menorah, ensured the smooth execution of the event and oversaw the lighting of the menorah each night of Chanukah, with Meir Sudak leading the nightly lighting using a cherry picker.

Community Voices:

"This is what Stamford Hill is all about—coming together as one," said Miriam, a local mother who attended with her children. "It was truly beautiful to see so many people from all different backgrounds and ages, all celebrating together as a community. This is what Chanukah is meant to be—unity, light, and joy."

"I’ve never seen anything like this before," said Daniel, a long-time resident. "The number of people who came out tonight, from all parts of the community, was incredible. It’s amazing to witness such a huge gathering, especially in such a tight-knit area like Stamford Hill. It really felt like one big family."

"It was a breathtaking experience," said Rachel, who brought her grandparents to the event. "The sense of unity, the excitement, and the way everyone was so connected in the moment—it was like the whole community was one big celebration of light. The live streaming of the event on the big screen made it feel like no one was left out, no matter where they were standing."

This year’s Giant Menorah Lighting was a resounding success, not only for its record-breaking attendance but for its strong sense of unity, joy, and community engagement. The event has firmly established itself as one of Stamford Hill's most anticipated annual celebrations.

Lubavitch House and the Lubavitch Children's Centre extend their thanks to all who attended and contributed to the success of this unforgettable evening. A Special thank you will go to the police department for securing our event and we were honoured by the attendance of superintendent Mr Jai Singh

 

JLI: Rohr Jewish Learning Institute

In June, Chabad Lubavitch UK marked the fiftieth anniversary of the fateful week that redrew the map of the Middle East forever. Half a century later, Israel continues to face numerous existential threats. The summer course offered by the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute Survival of a Nation: Exploring Israel Through the Lens of the Six-Day War offered a fascinating & captivating insight into what was at the time considered by many to be the most improbable and astonishing victory in military history. Topics covered the ideas of Jewish homeland, anti-Israel sentiment, ethics of war, capturing territories, and peace-making.

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As with all JLI programmes, this course was designed to appeal to people at all levels of knowledge, including those without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning. JLI, the adult education branch of Chabad Lubavitch, offers programmes in more than 1,100 communities across the world and is undoubtedly the largest Jewish education network. More than 156,000 people have taken JLI courses in English, Hebrew, Russian, Spanish, French & Braille.

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Forthcoming courses for 2018 include ‘Communication: Its Art and Soul’ which will contrast Jewish thought with scientific discovery to unearth the essence of communication and how to utilize its powers to better ourselves, our relationships, and all of society; and ‘Existence’ a philosophy series which challenges us to rethink everything we know about our universe. To explore the nature of our world and the meaning of the human condition and contemplate existential questions about consciousness, the physical, and the metaphysical, to unveil the hidden unity and pervading truth of our existence.

To sign up or find out more information about the next course, click here

UK Launch of CTeen

CTeen is a global family of Jewish teens, dedicated to changing the world through acts of goodness and kindness. Through a fusion of fun, friendship building events, humanitarian outreach, mitzvah observance, and engaging Torah study, teens are empowered to actualize their inner infinite potential, while cultivating a strong sense of Jewish identity, pride and mission.

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Launched in the UK this year, CTeen programmes and youth groups are now accessible in 26 countries around the world in hundreds of locations. CTeen delivers a comprehensive curriculum based on a three-part framework: Educational, placing education at the forefront, ensuring every programme is designed to enhance the development of important life skills; Humanitarian, helping teens build compassion toward others by giving back to the community through various humanitarian projects; and Social, assisting in the building of social skills though positive affiliations, ensuring personal growth in a society where working together is the key to advancement.

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Currently operating in Birmingham, Borehamwood, Bournemouth, Essex, Leeds, London & Manchester, more groups will spring up all over the country in early 2018. Click Here for more information or to find a group near you.

Chanukah throughout the UK

Thanks to many individual sponsors and our wonderful corporate friends we held, for the first time, a Chanukah lighting in the heart of the City at New Street Square in addition to celebrations at various offices throughout London.

Thank you to all at Charles Russell Speechlys, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, Grant Thornton, Linklaters, London & Regional Properties, Mishcon de Reya, PricewaterhouseCoopers, TaylorWessing, and Weil for either sponsoring or hosting an event.

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Aside from the London lightings, Chabad Lubavitch UK were also proud to hold more than 60 public Chanukah lightings throughout the country from Edinburgh (with First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon) to Bournemouth and from Cardiff to Solihull – and everywhere in between.

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Chanukah in the Square

Continuing with our theme of squares… we were privileged to present alongside the Mayor of London, Jewish Leadership Council, Jewish News, the London Jewish Forum & CST the Chanukah event to top all others - Chanukah in the Square – with more than 1,000 people of all ages coming together to celebrate.

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The crowd were treated to free doughnuts and a performance by the Maccabeats before joining in with the Chanukah songs ahead of the lights being switched on. This was the tenth year that the Menorah has been installed in Central London. It is one of the largest in the world, and shines brightly for the 8 day duration of Chanukah, reminding the city of the miracle of the Festival of Light and the religious and cultural contribution of the Jewish community in the capital.

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Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: “Fantastic atmosphere at the Chanukah in the Square festivities in Trafalgar Square this evening. The enormous contribution the Jewish community makes to our city is a shining example of London at its best. To everyone celebrating - Chanukah Sameach #Chanukah #Hanukkah

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Sukkah in the Square

This year, the Sukkah in the Square was as successful as ever. In partnership with Deloitte, Weil, TaylorWessing, Linklaters, Mishcon De Reya, The PR Office, Charles Russell Speechlys, and Hogan Lovells, Chabad Lubavitch UK were proud to build the Sukkah in the Square, (located in New Street Square EC4), for the seventh year in a row.

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On the Monday of Chol Hamoed, a lunch sponsored by Deloitte & Weil was held for over 400 city workers and on Tuesday, thanks to an anonymous sponsor, a Sushi Lunch was offered to a similar number.

Guest of Honour was Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis who said that such a publicly located Sukkah is “a wonderful celebration of the mitzvah… allowing people to show pride in our faith whilst reaching out to gather others around us.”

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Rabbi Bentzi Sudak added that the Sukkah was so tightly packed you could “really feel its embrace.” The Sukkah is open each year on every intermediate day of Sukkot and hosts a variety of events including Young Professionals evenings and Breakfasts in addition to the main lunches.

 

Chabad Seeks to Reclaim the Lost Art of Human Connection

How are our almost constant interactions with devices affecting our relationships?

This question is what drove  Chabad Lubavitch UK to offer Communication: Its Art and Soul in 14 locations around the UK. Beginning January 2018, they will present the first lesson of this new six-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI).

 “Jewish wisdom includes many powerful and original insights into the art of communication that are more relevant today than ever,” explained Rabbi Bentzi Sudak of Chabad “The goal of this course is to mine these texts and seek out their golden teachings. I believe this can help us reclaim the lost art of deep human connection in spite of our devices.”

 “Can you think of a more timely and pervasive issue?” asked Rabbi Zalman Abraham of JLI’s Brooklyn, New York headquarters. “Many people take communication for granted, but it is the very fabric of our society. The goal of the course is simply to make us better parents, better spouses, better co-workers, better friends, and better people across the board.”

 In Jewish philosophy, communication is more than just a tool: it is who we are. Humans are defined as communicative beings with a communicative soul, and aligning ourselves with this soul is our raison d’être. In Communication: Its Art and Soul, we contrast Jewish thought with scientific discovery to unearth the essence of communication and how to utilize its powers to better ourselves, our relationships, and all of society,” rads a description of the course on JLI’s website.

 The course has received rave reviews from relationship professionals, including Harville Hendrix, founder of IMAGO Relationship Therapy and author of the best-selling book, Getting the Love You Want. Hendrix refers to the course as “truly artful and soulful—an absolute must.”

 “The integration of these two streams of knowledge—the secular/psychological and Jewish tradition—is remarkable,” writes Mona Fishbane, former director of couple training at Chicago Center for Family Health, endorsing the course. “The approach is sophisticated, practical, and sure to be helpful to students.”

Such is the course's acclaim, that in the United States, Medical and mental health professionals, including social workers and family therapists, can earn continuing education credits for attending.

 Like all JLI programs, this course is designed to appeal to people at all levels of knowledge, including those without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning. All JLI courses are open to the public, and attendees need not be affiliated with a particular synagogue, temple, or other house of worship.

 Interested students may call 020 7078 7469 or visit www.myJLI.com for registration and for other course-related information. 

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JLI, the adult education branch of Chabad-Lubavitch, offers programs in more than 800 locations in the U.S. and in numerous foreign countries, including Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Panama, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Venezuela. More than 400,000 students have attended JLI classes since the organization was founded in 1998. 

WATCH THE KINUS BANQUET: LIVE!

 Live Broadcast: Conference Banquet of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries

 

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Sunday, November 19, 2017 at 22:45 UK TIME

CLICK HERE TO BE ALERTED IN TIME TO WATCH AS IT HAPPENS

 

Quick Mitzvah to Unite Communities

A quick mitzvah to bring communities together.

Today I have a small but important favour to ask. In July Chabad Islington wants to hold The Big Jewish Summer Fete 2018 on Highbury Fields, which is a festival that brings the Jewish and non-Jewish community together in a celebration of Jewish culture (you can see last year’s here.)

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The Big Summer Fete has been given the chance to win £25,000 from the Aviva Community Fund to make it happen. It only takes two minutes to register and vote by clicking here. Please give all 10 of your votes to 'Islington Together - The Big Jewish Summer Fete'.

If you have an extra 30 seconds, please also share it on social media, you could say:

“A really easy good deed, vote for The Big Jewish Summer Fete to win £25,000 from the Aviva Local Community Fund, it takes two minutes, I just did it, https://goo.gl/ERG18t.” 

THANK YOU

New centre opens in Radlett

High street location will enhance work of the organisation

Lubavitch’s high street premises in Radlett opened with a display of inter-denominational unity.

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Located prominently in the former Post Office building, the centre offers visitors hot drink and kosher snack options to eat in or take away. They can also browse or buy Judaica and gifts.

The premises will additionally be used for after-school clubs and informal courses and discussion groups for children and teenagers.

Rabbi Sendy Dubrawsky, who heads the centre, thanked the many people who had helped to make it a reality and said it would “enhance the community of Radlett and beyond”.

Radlett United officer Dr David Glover wished Rabbi Dubrawsky and his wife Rochel "all the success in the world, I am sure we will form a great partnership to build Radlett into a great centre of Yiddishkeit.”

Yom Kippur Without Guilt

From the Chabad Magazine:

"I want to know, what does the process of examining one's past deeds undertake for someone who abandoned a religious lifestyle because she was abused by the authority figures of that system?

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Or someone who grew up in a world where there was no moral standard, and just now is starting out on a path guided by Torah and mitzvahs?

Or for someone struggling with trauma or depression? Someone who already feels rotten about herself?

In all these cases, beating your chest and crying out, “I have sinned! I have sinned! Forgive me!” seems a mockery at best, and could even be self-abusive.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

Alumni in Focus: New Centre in Sudbury MA

During a mid-winter night in 2006, shortly after Rabbi Yisroel and Shayna Freeman moved to Sudbury (outside Boston, USA) to open a Chabad centre, the rabbi woke, chilled to the bone. In the morning, he discovered he’d left their front door wide open.

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That open door became both a metaphor and a guiding philosophy for the co-directors of Chabad of Sudbury—about 30 minutes due west of Boston—as it has for Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries around the world. And it eventually led them to the establishment of a brand-new building, based on welcoming local Jewish residents of all ages to pray, learn and celebrate the beauty of their traditions and of Jewish history.

The grand opening of the new 5,000-square-foot building, which was attended by more than 300 people, took place on Sept. 10.

“This dream became a reality thanks to the dedicated people, including our advisory committee, who went the extra mile with their contributions, support and hard work,” the 39-year-old rabbi said. “It’s built by the community and is the pride of our community.”

 

Guests including local politicians Carmine Gentile and Len Simon participated in the celebration and witnessed Rabbi Freeman affix a mezuzah to the main entrance. Together with his wife, 36, and four of their five children, the rabbi also cut the ceremonial ribbon, officially opening their new doors.

Located on two acres of land (an ideal spot for outdoor weddings and other festive celebrations), the new Chabad facility is also connected to a 54-acre nature preserve. Inside the center is a large multipurpose room, which serves as both the synagogue and the community room, in addition to a library, classrooms, offices, commercial kosher kitchen and guest suite for the visitors they expect on a regular basis.

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The Freemans serve an estimated 800 Jewish families in Sudbury, which has a total of approximately 5,500 households. Incorporated back in 1639, the town is home to a growing Jewish community in Boston’s far suburbs.

And the new building, noted the rabbi, “is a tremendous game-changer.”

Click Here for the Full Story

 

 

Photo of the Week

Fire Alarm Doesn't Stop pre-Yom Kippur Shiur in the City! 

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Sukkah in the City

Please join us at our Sukkah, New Street Square London EC4 from 9th to 11th October.

There will be 'something for everyone' and we are particularly honoured to have Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis as our honoured guest  on Monday 9th October. Please see below for full details.

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Chabad in the News #3

Following on from the recent UK JLI Conference which will see the world's flagship Jewish education programme rolled out fully across the UK this autumn there was an excellent piece of coverage in this week's JC also. For full details of the courses on offer please click here

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