Commander Recalls Entebbe Raid

Over the past three years, Chabad Lubavitch of Glasgow Scotland has transformed Jewish family life on a Friday evening in their community with their ‘Friday Night Shabbos spectacular dinners’.

“Three years ago, we were struggling to fill our restaurant on a Friday night with 35 people, today we attract as many as 80 people each time plus a waiting list,” said Shliach Rabbi Chaim Jacobs.

This past Friday night, the local Shul hall was packed with 80 people who came at 7pm and left for home at 11pm. The event was open to the community and none were turned away due to lack of funds.

The evening began with all ladies lighting Shabbos candles led by Shlucha Sora Jacobs. This was followed by kiddush and a ‘fine dining’ lavish four-course meal served with wine, soft drinks, tea coffee and chocolates. A tremendous atmosphere of Shabbos and family friendship prevailed throughout the evening.

The highlight of the Shabbos evening was a speech by Rami Sherman, a former member of the Elite Israeli army commando unit. He was second in command during the raid on Entebbe in 1976 and took over command of the raid when Yoni Netanyahu was killed.

VIDEO: Raid on Entebbe

During the evening, much stress was made of the miracles that took place during that mission as were stressed by the Rebbe at the time. Rabbi Jacobs mentioned how the Rebbe fasted that entire Shabbos day and was engrossed in saying Tehillim for much of the day for a successful outcome of the raid.

Many life-threatening risks were involved and as Sherman explained, there was no plan ‘B’, the mission had to succeed with Hashem’s miraculous help.

Lubavitch friend and supporter Steven Kayne gave a vote of thanks on behalf of the guests to the Shluchim, their son Rabbi Mendel Jacobs, the catering and waiting staff.

Close to the end of Shabbos, another 25 people gathered at the home of the Jacobs for Mincha, refreshments, Maariv and Havdala. Sherman continued to give further insights into hostage rescue mission.