Chabad Growth Celebrated in Essex

Chabad Essex, UK held their annual fundraising dinner on Monday, 26th June, 2017 at the Prince Regent Hotel in Woodford Green, Essex.

The theme of the evening was “celebrating Chabad’s growth across Essex,” highlighted by the announcement that the much awaited, brand new building to house the new Chabad Centre of Gants Hill, is near completion and will be ready for the High Holy days in September.

Rabbi Odom Brandman, Branch Director of Chabad Buckhurst Hill, shared a thought with the assembled guests relating to the Lubavitcher Rebbe whose 23rd anniversary of his passing fell the same night, whilst highlighting some of the success elements of the programs and attraction of the Buckhurst Hill Centre.

Mr. Ivor Perl, a holocaust survivor himself, having lived in the area for over 30 years was initially surprised to learn that Chabad were placing an outpost in Buckhurst Hill, and now 11 years later had a thriving centre, something he would never have believed could survive.

Mr. Steven Klein, representing the newest Chabad community in Epping, highlighted the activities and services already being made available by Rabbi Aryeh and Devorah Sufrin and all were looking forward to securing a permanent Chabad House during the next 12 months.

News of increased activities in the Westcliff and Southend communities of Essex were also shared, all indicating success and a commitment to continued growth.

Guests were greeted by Mr Yossi Negin, Chabad’s own fiddler, creating a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. The hall and setting was all beautifully co ordinated and the event was catered by Reich caterers always a delight.

The guest speaker, Mr David Weiss from Los Angeles, writer of such popular films such as Shrek 2, The Smurfs 2 and Rug Rats movie, held the audience spellbound and in stitches of laughter as he told his personal story of his journey which saw him become a Christian, met and married a Christian woman, and by turning to Judaism, she proclaimed she felt as though she was coming home, and he followed, returning to his roots. They and their family are regulars at their local Chabad communities as well as speaking for Chabad and beyond across the globe.

Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin MBE, Head Shliach to Essex and the Exec Director of Chabad N E London & Essex closed the evening with a vote of thanks to all who made the evening’s successful dinner possible; including Dinner coordinator, Mrs. Mandi Dobias, the small but effective dinner committee, the trustees and all the guests and partners who helped raise some £55,000.

The funds raised are earmarked to support the ongoing work and development of Chabad across Essex. On the night of Gimmel Tammuz, the anniversary of the Rebbes’ passing, he asked that all toast with him a Lechayim as he asked them to join in a prayer that he with his wife, Head Shlucha, Rebetzen Devorah and fellow Shluchim families “have the Koiach, physical and emotional strength to fulfil their pledge to continue with added vigor to ensure that the growth and success of Chabad across Essex, continues to be the success story that it is enjoying with all of its friends and supporters who have become real partners in this holy work.”

Mr Daren Burney, chair of the Trustee Board, and auctioneer for the successful auction held said: “watching and having an active part in seeing the successful development and growth of Chabad across Essex is pure inspiration. My wife Paula and our family are delighted to be a part of this living dynamism. This annual event is now part of the Essex Jewish Community social calendar and the enjoyment of the guests for this fantastic evening is proof of its continued success.”