Crowd Toasts Chabad of Baka

A large, excited crowd gathered at the magnificent Artemisia wedding hall in Talpiyot for the 9th anniversary dinner of Chabad of Baka, a neighborhood in southern Jerusalem.

The vibrant community is comprised of olim to Jerusalem from around the world, who feel like a close-knit family through the minyanim, Torah classes, farbrengens, and wide range of programs and events that they share.

A gourmet dinner was prepared by Kinamon Catering, and uplifting music was played by Sharon the DJ and talented violinist and community member, Yitzchak Hurwitz.

Alex Traiman, the congregation’s charismatic Gabbai, was master of ceremonies. He applauded the expansion of Chabad of Baka’s activities, including the addition of a daily Maariv minyan with Torah learning and the growth of the South Jerusalem Friendship Circle, a project of Chabad of Baka.

Traiman noted, “Where else in Jerusalem do you have people walking for 40 minutes to go to shul, passing tens of other shuls along the way? It’s only here at Chabad of Baka!” Traiman’s observations were also personal, as he and his family have a 45 minute trek every week to get to the Chabad of Baka shul.

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After a touching video presentation, Rabbi Avraham Hendel, who directs Chabad of Baka with his wife Nechama Dina, addressed the crowd with words of chizuk and gratitude to Hashem and each community member for reaching this milestone.

The keynote speaker was Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gluckowsky, dynamic shliach of Rechovot and member of the Chabad Beis Din. His personal stories with the Rebbe brought tears to many eyes, and his message of ahavas Yisrael and “giving the shirt off your back” for another Jew stirred positive resolutions amongst attendees.

It was an honor to have two Jerusalem City Council members join the dinner and share inspiring words. Rabbi Yaakov Halperin, head of the party Yahadut Ha’Torah and a member of the City Hall Committee & Administration, and Fleur Nahoum, senior member of the Yerushalmim Party, are both impressive activists, who have shown their friendship to the Chabad of Baka community.

About 200 names of participants were written down at the event and were brought to the Rebbe‘s Ohel for prayer and blessings.

Community members joked that each year the dinner is upgraded to a more beautiful location. “Where will it possibly be next year?” they asked.

The shluchim replied, “The only appropriate upgrade would be the Beis Hamikdash itself- may we be able to celebrate there with the coming of Moshiach speedily!”