This week 84 shluchim, 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.
The conference was held in the magnificent setting of Bosworth Hall Hotel (part of the Brittania Group) in the picturesque village of Market Bosworth, Leicestershire.
The Rabbis had barely arrived when they discovered that the decorator painting the hotel was Jewish and had never had a Barmitzvah. A pair of tefillin were quickly produced and an impromptu barmitzvah was arranged. The decorator proudly joined the ranks of the Jewish people, making sure to tell everyone he spoke to that day about his special event.
Professional presenters at the conference included Mr Phaivish Pink of the Torah Teachers Training Scheme who ran sessions on preventing bullying and reflective listening. The delegates also participated in a special series of workshops delivered by the NSPCC on the issue of child safeguarding.
Spread across two days, the first evening featured the gala dinner where the MC, Rabbi Shmuli Brown, kept the evening flowing with his inimitable sense of humor. The guest speaker was Dayan Yonason Abraham of the London Beth Din, who spoke about his long standing connection with the Lubavitch movment. He praised the Shluchim for their unswerving dedication to the needs of every Jew wherever they may be and encouraged them to continue their important work
Rabbi Yehuda Pink, Chair of the Conference Committee thanked his colleagues on the organising committee 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, Chief Executive of Chabad Lubavitch UK commented, “Once again, the organising committee under the leadership of Rabbi Yehuda Pink, put on an amazing two days of inspiration, where we were able to reconnect, share best practice, and revive in a very special atmosphere. Dayan Yonason Abraham brought a special level of inspiration for which he is well known. The Continued Professional Development provided by various organisations especially the NSPCC was excellent. The conference is leading to an exciting year ahead for the entire network.
