Chief Rabbi Mirvis Visits Scotland

By COLlive reporter
Photos by chiefrabbi.org

The Chief Rabbi of Great Britain Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has just returned from a visit over the Northern Border to Scotland.

The Chief Rabbi started his visit at Edinburgh University Chaplaincy where he had a ‘lunch and learn’ with Jewish students and the Jewish Student Chaplain.

On Wednesday evening the Chief Rabbi and his wife Valerie were guests of HRH The Earl of Wessex and Sophie Countess of Wessex at the Palace of Holyrood House.

Thursday morning began bright and early with a broadcast for @BBCRadio4 #TFTD from BBC Edinburgh.

After the close of the General Assembly the Chief Rabbi left Edinburgh and headed to Maccabi Glasgow where he would be meeting with Jewish students studying at the University of Glasgow. On the same campus are the Cosgrove Care and Jewish Care facilities, the Chief Rabbi was deeply impressed by the excellent provision made for the elderly and those in need within in our community as well as the dedicated staff and volunteers who work to deliver top quality care and activities.

Later that afternoon the Chief Rabbi visited Giffnock Synagogue where he met with the local Rabbanim and community leaders, including Head Shliach Rabbi Chaim Jacobs and Lubavitch Outreach worker Rabbi Mendel Jacobs.

He was very interested to hear about the work of Lubavitch in Scotland for 45 years.

“His visit greatly inspired the community and they look forward to forward visits from him in the future,” Rabbi Chaim Jacobs said.

Before his main lecture event for the entire community Lubavitch L’Chaim’s Restaurant opened the Restaurant for people to come and eat supper before the event. This was attended by some 23 people.

The Chief Rabbi enjoyed supper with the community’s synagogues board members, staff and executives and then addressed the Glasgow Jewish community.

On Friday morning the Chief Rabbi davened shacharit at Newton Mearns Synagogue after which he enjoyed breakfast with the Scottish Rep Council and other communal leaders.

From Newton Mearns Synagogue the Chief Rabbi went to Calderwood Lodge Primary School where he was greeted by the pupils at the school gates. The Chief Rabbi addressed all of the pupils at their Kabbalat Shabbat assembly and then toured the school with the headteacher. The Chief Rabbi then headed to the airport for his return flight to London.