UK News

Olympic Memorial Ceremony takes place in Islington

Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 5:39 PM

Last Friday, Chabad Islington held a memorial ceremony to remember the eleven Israeli Olympic athletes and coaches that were massacred during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Germany.

The event took place at Islington Green Memorial just prior to the Olympic opening ceremony in Stratford. Everyone who took part felt the power of the ceremony and understood the importance of the cause. One lady who partipated said, "I think that this was such a great initiative and a most worthy cause".

Olympic Memorial - Islington Green 1.jpeg The event was organised by Chabad Islington. This branch of Chabad opened in 2011 and serves the Borough of Islington. It is run by Rabbi Mendy and Rebbetzin Hadasa Korer.

Rabbi Korer said, "The energy and unity in Islington in preparation for the Games is truly phenomenal. Let us not forget one of the darkest moments in the history of the International Olympic Family".

Shluchim Convene for Annual Chabad UK Conference

Tuesday, July 10, 2012 - 9:33 PM

This week 80 emissaries, educators, community and campus rabbis from all over the UK convened for the Annual Chabad Lubavitch UK Conference.

Spread over two days, the conference provides an opportunity for Chabad's numerous Shluchim from across the UK to meet for discussions and workshops on various aspects related to their work.

This year it was held in the magnificent setting of Bosworth Hall Hotel (part of the Brittania Group) in the picturesque village of Market Bosworth, Leicestershire.

The theme of the conference was Hafatzat Hamaayanot, harnessing modern technology in the quest to spread Judaism to as broad an audience as possible. It was appropriate therefore that one of the first sessions was a video link up with the staff of Mayanot in Jerusalem who briefed the Shluchim about the programmes that they run and discussed how closer working relationships could be developed between the Yeshiva and UK Shluchim.

Other workshops included one led by Rabbi Chaim Rapoport of Machon Mayim Chaim. Renowned for the quality of his shiurim, he shared his expertise in a session he led on Shiur preparation. Guidance as to effective use of Social Media was given by Daniel Saunders and Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin led a session on practical halocha relating to issues that might arise when running a Shabbaton. The conference also provided an opportunity for Chabad Lubavitch UK to launch their new branding which will be rolled out across the organisation in the coming year.

The highlight of the Conference was the evening dinner where Rabbi Hershi Vogel of West London/Ealing shared anecdotes relating to his work as chaplain at Heathrow Airport. The Key Note Speaker was Rabbi Nissan Dovid Dubov of Wimbledon who delivered a moving and inspiring address.

Following the Dinner the Shluchim continued with an informal Farbrengen led by Rabbi Elchonon Cohen of the Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies. Having flown in specially from Jerusalem Rabbi Cohen created a vibrant and uplifting atmosphere that saw many Shluchim singing, dancing, talking and inspiring each other until the early hours of the morning.

Rabbi Yehuda Pink, Chair of the Conference Committee thanked his colleagues on the organising committee rabbis outside.jpg for dedicating an enormous amount of time and energy to ensure that the Conference would be a success. He said that the feedback has been extremely positive and commented on the importance of the conference as a platform for learning and growth.

Rabbi Bentzi Sudak of Chabad Lubavitch UK said, 'At each Kinus the continuously increasing number of young shluchim continues to bring new innovation and fresh ideas to our work across the entire organisation. Rabbi Yehuda Pink and the organising committee have once again done an excellent job coordinating the event and we look forward to another successful Kinus in Summer 2013.'

FOR COMPLETE PHOTO GALLERY CLICK HERE

Chabad of South London Serves At Wimbledon

Friday, July 6, 2012 - 12:54 PM

For the 4th consecutive year, Rabbi Dovid Cohen -of Chabad SLSP (South London- Students and young Professionals) has "served" Tennis fans from around the globe with delicious hot and cold kosher food at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.

Situated just minutes away from the legendary Centre Court, the Kosher stand offers burgers, hot dogs, kebabs, strawberries and (parev) cream, and much more.

Rabbi Cohen said "Its amazing to see people from across the entire spectrum of the Jewish community coming here to eat. And the most satisfying thing for me personally is when someone who never expected to see us spots the Kosher van, and we see their face light up!"

This year the international singing star Dudu Fisher made a surprise appearance. Dozens of customers, Jewish and non, have been enjoying the great food every (week)day of the Wimbledon fortnight.