Emotional Group Trip to Poland

A group from London and Essex, UK embarked on an emotional trip to Poland, visiting and praying at the sites where millions of lives were lost Al Kiddush Hashem. Full Story

November 18, 2015 – 6 Kislev 5776

A group from London and Essex, UK embarked on an emotional trip to Poland, visiting and praying at the sites where millions of lives were lost Al Kiddush Hashem. Full Story

Chabad Lubavitch N. E. London and Essex led a trip to Poland by chartering a whole plane with 144 participants.

Led by Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin MBE Regional Director of Chabad Essex, UK and Rabbi Barry Marcus of the Central United Synagogue, London, accompanied by fellow Shluchim Rabbi Odom Brandman (Buckhurst Hill), Rabbi Rafi Goodwin (Barkingside), the trip took in Auschwitz 1, Auschwitz –Birkenau, Shindler’s factory and concluding with a visit to the Remo Shul and cemetery in Krakow.

Three special minyonim were held throughout the day. The first, Shacharis on the early flight to Poland, with the shluchim working hard to ensure every opportunity was gained for Mivtza Tefillin at 25,000 feet.

Mincha following the concluding ceremony at Birkenau, as the day was waning at the foot of the tracks that took R”L, millions to their final fate al Kiddush Hashem. Maariv was davened at the Remo shul, within feet of where the Remo Hakoidesh stood in his holy Tefillos.

This trip was the brainchild of Chabad Trustee, Mr. Daren Burney and his friend Malcolm Webber in consultation with Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin.

“the trip is part of the 5 year strategy and development plan for Chabad Essex to reach further afield beyond those who may otherwise attend services in our two Chabad Houses in Gants Hill & Buckhurst Hill,” said Rabbi Sufrin.

“The range of people participating, background and age group proved that this approach of our fellow trustees is exactly right. Coming specifically during the year of Hakhel this was an ingenious way to bring together men, women and teenagers, for pure inspiration, both up in the skies and the harsh realities of historic anti-Semitism repeating itself across Europe today. Our response is strengthening our commitment to Yidishkeit and doing good, this was achieved, and for this we are grateful,” said Rabbi Sufrin.

Following the success of this trip, plans are underway to organize annual trips to historic places of interest and in particular to be able to visit other Chabad Centres and be mechazek each other.