UK News

Under the direction of Rabbi Mendy and Bunie Chazan, the Leeds Chapter of CTeenUK this week saw the Dare2Care programme swing into action.

Inspired by the theme of ‘Leadership’ the girls took part in an action-packed programme which included meeting with the emergency services to whom they gave cookies; local Cllr Dan Cohen and director of Leeds UJIA – Alexa Harris. They also found out all about ‘life on campus’ from the Leeds Students’ Shaliach Mrs Chana Sorah Danow who, together with her husband Rabbi Michoel, has just marked 10 years of service to the Leeds student community. They also visited with elderly members of the community who reside at Donisthorpe Hall.

It is envisaged that through being connected with leaders of their communities, the CTeen participants will see the importance and value in taking up communal leadership roles for themselves.

Interspersed with their important meetings were visits to Xscape, bowling, and the Climbing Lab. The girls also did a pottery making session and enjoyed a late-night barbecue.

To sum it up, Elana said “It has been a fantastic week, having fun and making new friends. I can’t wait for next year!”

CTeenUK is the local arm of the international CTeen network with more than 280 chapters worldwide; and is the embodiment of the Rebbe’s vision of youth empowerment. So far, CTeenUK has launched chapters in Leeds, Manchester, Borehamwood & Bournemouth with others planned all over the country.

For information and to register for the Boys’ Dare2Care leadership programme from 21^st – 25^th August please call Rabbi Mendy on 07388 907 701.

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For people in a hurry, without a moment to spare (sounds like many of us…) it is always a good thing when Torah classes are made available in innovative ways.

‘Tel-Torah’ – a project of Chabad Lubavitch Edgware – has made the treasures of Torah, Chassidus and Daf Yomi more accessible than ever before. The key to these treasures is in your hands, with the buttons of any telephone. Simply dial the number and a world of knowledge is open to you, at the cost of a local call.

Available in English, Hebrew, Yiddish and French with countless topics to choose from in addition to a daily Daf Yomi shiur.

The subject matter includes a variety from Mishna to Gemara; Chassidic insights to heart-warming stories and even a children’s section. You can listen to the weekly Torah portion or a daily Shiur in Rambam; as well as in-depth studies of the Tanya, the fundamental work of Chabad Chassidus.

With a full menu like this, there is something for everyone. The computerised system enables callers to fully control their own lesson, with facilities to rewind, forward or pause the session according to one's individual speed and needs. One can also listen to previous lessons.

Tel-Torah is available 24 hours a day, and has to date transmitted more than 1.4 million classes with 13,399 in June alone.

Why not give it a try: call 020 8905 3770 or 020 3318 7700!

The Jewish Women’s Leadership Network conference, Kinus Hashluchot UK, largely funded by the National Lottery, took place last week in a stunning spa hotel deep in the tranquil Oxfordshire countryside.

With the theme of ‘Teach | Touch | Transform’ some 70 attendees came together from Chabad Lubavitch UK and other communities, from all over the British Isles for 2 days of inspirational educational workshops, CPD and lectures. Not forgetting time for pampering, relaxation, socialising and vital recharging of the batteries.

Sessions ran the gamut from counselling skills to Montessori education; Chassidic thought to paediatric first aid; as well as being treated to fruit carving & chocolate making demonstrations with thanks to Kennard Chocolates.

In addition to the general everyday co-directing of their communities these leaders/emissaries of the Lubavitcher Rebbe are responsible, invariably, for counselling, giving shiurim, catering & entertaining, fundraising, running nurseries & mother and baby groups, teaching Bat Mitzvah girls and much more – all in addition to providing for the needs of their own families.

The conference was honoured by the attendance of Mrs Fradel Sudak, Head Shlucha, who has been at the forefront since 1959 and addressed the Banquet.

Workshops were delivered by the truly inspirational Mrs Louise Hager of Chai Cancer Care on “Taking Care of our Most Important Asset: Ourselves”; Mrs Judith Nemeth of Al Pi Darko on “Child Rearing Treasures;” Mrs Faigy Lieberman on the importance of and tips on maintaining a good marriage; and psychodynamic counsellor Mrs Freidy Brackman, on supporting others effectively. There was also a general presentation from CHANA.

Louise Hager said “It was truly inspirational to see so many committed and multi-talented women come together from all over the UK at the conference One of the positive mitzvot we have is to take care of our health and to be aware of any changes. It was great to be part of a lively discussion of how the Shluchot could best support those in in their communities who are unwell and to let them know that Chai is there for them too as a valuable resource for advice and guidance.”

International honoured Keynote Speakers included Mrs Chanie Diskin, Chabad of Germany; Mrs Rivki Hazan, Chabad of Milan and her daughter Mrs Sonia Wolvovsky, Chabad of Tuscany. They addressed the theme of the conference as well as other key topics including Jewish education and juggling our busy lifestyles.

Following the Banquet, a lively discussion was held until the early hours of the morning - opened by Mrs Hinda Rader, the co-Chair of the first European Conventions in 1975 and 1979 under direct guidance of the Rebbe.

Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin gave an eye-opening Halocha session whilst Rabbi Eli Brackman from Oxford Chabad Society led an in-depth session on understanding Chassidic philosophy.

Mrs Shaina Wineberg, one of the newest UK Shluchot who together with her husband, established Chabad of Notting Hill earlier this year said “it was truly inspirational, as my first conference I came away fully energized and enjoyed every moment.”

Grateful thanks go to beauty therapist Adi Dekel, a recent arrival from Israel who donated her time to pamper the attendees in between sessions.

Mrs Sora Cohen, co-director of Chabad South London Students & Young Professionals said “as the organiser of the conference it was my pleasure to see the women benefiting and feeling inspired from the wide variety of sessions as well as enjoying the opportunity to socialise & reconnect with their peers.

Undoubtedly, the conference could never have been such a success without the dedication & tireless efforts of my wonderful JWLN committee to whom I owe a huge debt of gratitude.”

Full of smiles and praise for every aspect of the truly wonderful conference the Rebbetzins returned to their communities charged with their mission from the Rebbe and fully prepared for whatever may come their way without any hint or worry of a gender pay gap unlike other parts of the UK economy!

Beis Gavriel shul in Hendon was founded by the local Lubavitch community in 2008 in memory of Rabbi Gavriel & Rivka Holtzberg HY”D who were taken by the tragic attack on Chabad of Mumbai.

The name and ethos of the shul is intended to be a constant reminder of the kind of people the Holtzbergs were; to provide positive inspiration to all. In just 9 years, Beis Gavriel has developed into a warm and diverse community of all ages and backgrounds. Under the attentive and dynamic leadership of Rabbi Menachem Junik, members and visitors are encouraged to play active roles. From shiurim to events, the spirit of unity permeates this exceptional community.

Thanks to assistance and investment of the Federation of Synagogues, as its 26^th constituent shul, Beis Gavriel will be moving into significant premises on Sunningfields Road which will house a purpose-built community centre, shul, mikveh, and new state-of-the-art home for Gan Menachem, the in-house oversubscribed nursery which currently educates 70 children from both the Shul and wider community.

Rabbi Junik commented: “This is a very exciting time for our community. This move and the purchasing of a new building will provide, with Hashem’s help, greater opportunities for growth with increased shiurim, communal activities, and with a strong focus on children and youth programmes. On a personal note, I am honoured to be joining such a strong team of Rabbonim and feel proud to be affiliated with an organisation which provides so many services to the wider community.”

Shul Founder and Trustee, Mr Mendy Freundlich, further added that membership of the Federation will give Beis Gavriel “the opportunity… to provide a greater educational and social programme for our members and the community.”

A comforting and positive encounter on a recent flight from Europe to the United States has gone viral.

On a flight, back from Israel after chaperoning a Mayanot Taglit-Birthright trip, Chabad Lubavitch Shlucha Rochel Groner found herself in a unique position to help a fellow passenger. An hour into an eight-hour connecting flight from Europe—and after a three-hour delay before take-off—a young boy with autism had a meltdown.

“You could hear his cries throughout the plane,” wrote Rabbi Bentzi Groner, who along with his wife, Rochel, co-directs the Charlotte, North Carolina chapter of Friendship Circle and ZABS Place, an upscale charity shop and employment-training centre for young adults with disabilities. A “meltdown,” which appears similar to an extreme tantrum, is a response in people with autism to sensory overload. “You could feel the tension among the other passengers,” he continued in a Facebook post.

The child’s parents seemed overwhelmed by the situation, and despite no overt comments from other passengers, “it was getting very uncomfortable,” related Groner.

So Rochel Groner introduced herself to the boy’s parents as a professional caregiver and extended her hand to the child. He reached out and took it. They walked together to the bulkhead, where she sat rocking and playing with him for a few hours.

The post and photos of the encounter have gotten thousands of reactions and been shared on Facebook more than 500 times.

“Don’t need to see ‘Wonder Woman’ in the theatre,” wrote one commenter. “Just drive on down to ZABS Place. She’s there every day!”

“This is the most beautiful story I have heard about in a very long time. We need more Rochels in this world,” wrote another.

“While most of the passers-by looked on with awe,” wrote Bentzi Groner, “little did they know that for Rochel, this is her life. At Friendship Circle, we’re taught that if we just offer our hand in love and acceptance, miracles will follow.”

There are many ways to lie. Even the truth can lie.

What did they tell you about Chabad Lubavitch and the Rebbe? That Chabad Lubavitch is a wonderful organization with an effective strategy to reach out to Jews alienated by their Judaism and return them to tradition. That it has grown phenomenally in a few decades into a ubiquitous force in the Jewish world and in many parts of the globe has become the default Jewish establishment. That the Rebbe practically invented Jewish outreach and was the major force behind the miraculous resurrection of the Jewish people after the holocaust.

All true and very nice. Like icing without the cake, gravy without potatoes… if you want to know the real truth about Chabad Lubavitch and the Rebbe, go speak to the KGB.

Intrigued? Find the whole article here in 'The Revolutionaries': 

http://www.chabad.org.uk/library/article_cdo/aid/396930/jewish/The-Revolutionaries.htm

More than eighty Chabad Lubavitch Rabbis (Shluchim) from all over the UK came together this week for their annual conference (Kinus) in the Midlands.

The Kinus was graced by the presence of the inspirational Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky from Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters, New York. Among many roles he oversees the educational requirements of the more than 4,000 Chabad religious and educational institutions worldwide.

The Kinus Dinner Guest of Honour - Dayan Shmuel Simons of the London Beth Din - spoke on the unique nature of the Chabad Lubavitch mission and congratulated the Shluchim on their commitment to Anglo-Jewry whilst Rabbi Dovid Katz of West Hampstead delivered the Keynote speech.

The evening was ably chaired by Rabbi Y. Sufrin, Trustee of Chabad Lubavitch UK; with Tehillim led by Rabbi I. Sufrin, Director of Friends of the Small Communities and one of the longest serving Shluchim in the UK.

During the two days of conference the Shluchim took part in more than 20 mainly peer-led sessions on every conceivable aspect of the modern day rabbinate and left energised to serve their communities with renewed purpose and vigour. 

A speaker at the conference was Rabbi Yossy Gordon, Executive Vice President of Chabad on Campus International.

Rabbi Bentzi Sudak, CEO of Chabad Lubavitch UK commented that “the immense growth of Chabad Lubavitch in both numbers of Shluchim and reach of each individual centre is inspiring and invigorating. This is a testament to the vibrant Jewish community here in the UK and to the relevant and cutting-edge programming available to Jews of all walks of life.

The presence of Rabbi Kotlarsky, even for such a short period of time energised the Shluchim and encouraged them to return to their communities with an exciting vision for the future of Anglo-Jewry.”

Rabbi Yossy Gordon, Executive Vice President of Chabad on Campus International flew in specifically for the Kinus. His unique blend of down to earth and humorous advice delivered in a heartfelt manner held the Shluchim spellbound until the early hours of the morning. 

Rabbi Yehuda Pink, Chair of the Organising Committee, thanked all the volunteers who had spend many weeks planning the conference for their hard work and dedication that ensured that this years Kinus was the best attended ever.

Morning prayers at the National Conference of Chabad Rabbis (Kinus haShluchim) this week took an interesting turn with the calling up to the Torah, for the first time, of Shalom ben Avraham.

50-something Shalom works at the hotel where the Kinus has been hosted in recent years. In 2015, during a conversation with a Shaliach it transpired that his maternal grandmother was Jewish and therefore, so is he. Inspired and interested by his discovery Shalom then laid tefillin for the first time.

This year, Shalom's Jewish journey continued when he gladly took up the suggestion of receiving a Jewish name thereby fully joining the Jewish people. Called up for the Torah reading, he recited the blessings with a little help, to a resounding chorus of 'mazel tovs'.

So, mazel tov Shalom ben Avraham from us too!

It was at the wedding celebration of Menachem Mendel and Chana Tzivia Lazar, that the groom’s father, Chief Rabbi of Russia Berl Lazar, announced the start of a special new initiative: The Tefillin Bank.

This follows the extremely successful Mezuzah Bank, which has helped thousands of Jews put up mezuzot in their home free of charge, thanks to generous sponsors. Needless to say, these mezuzot were just the first step for many of these families, who continued to take on more mitzvot as a result.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe started the Tefillin Campaign in 1967. Now, fifty years later, these first three pairs of Tefillin have been paid for and presented to three proud young men who had committed to ‘wrapping up’ daily, but for lack of funds, have been using borrowed Tefillin until now. Their joy at receiving this priceless gift knew no bounds.

As the celebration continued, a few generous individuals stepped up to sponsor more sets of Tefillin, so that even more Jews will be able to take on this special mitzvah, which will undoubtedly lead to the fulfilment of many, many more.

If you would like more information about how to contribute to the UK Tefillin Bank please click here. Photos: Levi Nazarov

Five students from the Lauder Business School were joined by their families from across Europe for a Bar Mitzvah celebration with a difference.

When Chabad on Campus teamed up with Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi to launch a Bar Mitzvah program, they didn’t expect Vienna to be the location for the first graduating group of students. Yet, for five students from Switzerland, Germany, Hungary and Ukraine this was the reality as they were called to the Torah and celebrated their Bar Mitzvahs for the first time, some 10 years later than usual.

The AEPi brothers’ studies with Rabbi Boruch Sabbach covered various areas of Jewish practice, including the observance of Tefillin. On the day itself, Magdolna Várkonyi, an 88-year-old holocaust survivor from Hungary wept as she described how moved she was to see her first great grandchild, Benjamin Pretzer, have a Bar Mitzvah.

For Rabbi Sabbach, the success of the program and the intensity of the event was beyond his expectations. “This program was special in that we were able to see immediately how the impact reverberated to their families as well,” he said. “Several of the parents spoke about a new commitment to Judaism and a desire to send their younger children to Jewish Schools. It was really a very special and moving weekend.”

Peter Vandor, one of the ‘Bar Mitzvah men’, was similarly surprised by the result of the program. "Knowing about my roots and getting closer to them was the main purpose I wanted the Bar Mitzvah program to happen, but even in my wildest dreams I've never thought it would be this successful. I feel like we, as five Jewish students, made a huge step forward with our Jewish identity. I give a huge shout out to Rabbi Boruch for guiding us as our mentor and making this program possible."

Dani Markus, another of the students, spoke about why he decided to have a Bar Mitzvah nearly 10 years after the traditional age of 13. “In my family, Judaism was never a core subject of conversation. However, since I arrived at the Lauder Business School, I felt that I needed to know more about this subject. During the preparation period held by Rabbi Boruch we got to know the hows and whys of Jewish customs and traditions. At the end, we had the honour of having a Bar Mitzvah supported by Chabad and JHC.”

“It was extraordinary to guide these five young men through this important Jewish milestone. They showed a real committed to the lessons and their questions demonstrated a seriousness about the subject and their Judaism.” concluded Rabbi Sabbach.

A Bat Mitzvah program is being planned for next year and six students have already signed up.

Shekoyach Rabbi Sabbach! Kol Hakavod!

With the hot summer weather in full swing, have you been thinking about the long school holidays coming up and what you will do with the children?

Look no further. The Chabad Lubavitch Camp Gan Israel network is the largest and fastest growing network of Jewish Summer camps in the world. Gan Israel enjoys a well-earned reputation as a trendsetter with innovative ideas, creative programs and new activities.

Camps allow Jewish young people from all religious backgrounds to enjoy their holidays to the full and also discover more about Judaism and Jewish life in an exciting and stimulating way. 

A diverse range of outings, arts and crafts, music, team competitions and many more activities are all part of a fun and educational programme.

We have many camps around the UK and hope to welcome your children to one near you soon! Click here for all the details.

Wishing you a fun-filled summer!

On July 2nd 2017, Chabad Lubavitch of Islington hosted the Big Jewish Summer Fete. 

Around 1000 people joined for a family fun summer Sunday at Highbury Fields for a celebration of Jewish culture, from bagels to klezmer, from circle dancing to stand-up comedy

To the soundtrack of live klezmer music by the funky Tantz band, participants were able to explore the wealth of Jewish culture with a series of talks at the ‘speakers corner’ on everything Jewish, from art and dance, to comedy and literature. Learning Krav Maga tactics or Israeli Dance moves, havdala candle making by the Jewish Museum or testing your knowledge in the custom-made Jewish Escape Room were among the many activities for young and old. People indulged in kosher ice cream or grabbed a bagel, brought their little ones for a jam-packed programme of hands-on workshops, rides, Arsenal penalty shootout and storytelling.

The Mayor of Islington, Una O'Halloran said "I really want to thank the rabbi because a lot of work has gone into this and I hope next year it is an even bigger success."

Leader of Islington Council, Richard Watts said "What a fantastic use of Highbury Fields to bring all our local Islington communities together on this Sunday afternoon. It’s brilliant that we at the Council can support the Jewish community in this way."

One of the participants shared "It’s a great event and it’s really good for Islington to have something so public like this."

"We put a lot of focus on planning the event with a wide range of activities to engage all ages and interests, from fun to educational, active to entertaining," said the organisers and Rabbi Mendy Korer of Chabad Islington added "It was a tremendous celebration for our community, we have been steadily growing over the past 5 years and look forward to welcoming many more people to our diverse and cohesive Chabad House."

A big thank you goes to the event sponsors: Islington Council, Islington Square, Gelbergs LLP, Chabad Young Professionals, Carlton Estate Agents and the Co-op. And to the many partners: Jewish Museum, Israeli Dance Institute, Access to Sports, Jerusalem the Golden, Arsenal in the Community, Tzivos Hashem, Prime Krav Maga Institute, London Fire Brigade, NHS, Funzing, Luckylink, George Irvin’s and to the security team of CST and Islington Police.

During PM Modi of India's state visit to Israel this week there was a delightful meeting with PM Netanyahu and Moshe Holtzberg, the orphaned survivor of the Mumbai Chabad House terror attack of 29th Cheshvan 5769 (26.11.2008) 

Click here for video, courtesy of the Israel GPO, where Moshe was invited to accompany PM Netanyahu on the return State Visit when the Mumbai Chabad House will be rededicated.

Click here for full story 

May the memories of Rabbi Gavriel Noach & Rivka Holtzberg serve as a blessing.