Eton College, England’s most prestigious boarding school – the Royal princes have attended there – recently hosted a Tefillin event.
Rabbi Yossi Simon of Tzivos Hashem and his son Menachem did a tefillin program, teaching about putting on tefillin and the writing of a Torah.
The event was organized by Mr. Mendy Tajtelbaum and Mr. Benjamin Pearl.
The following is an except from a letter received from the school:
My sincere thanks to you and Rabbi Simon for coming to Eton yesterday and achieving such a great Mitzvah. It was a success beyond anything we could have imagined. To see the boys, some for the first time, putting on Teffilin and so keen to understand and take part, was to say the least very moving.
One particular boy is 17 years old, he has never had a bar mitzvah and neither he nor his family observe anything other than his attendance at the Jewish Class, which over his time at Eton has in itself been sporadic. I helped him put on the teffilin for the very first time yesterday and saw he was so moved that tears were in his eyes. It was as if he had finally come home after a very long journey.
The boys very obviously enjoyed trying their hand at being a sofer and using the quill. So much so we almost had to force them to the food. That also has to be a first for Eton boys!
The siddurim and kippot are very much appreciated and several of the boys have asked me to thank you again for these kind gifts. I am sure these items will travel with many of the boys in years to come and remind them of the time they first put on teffilin.
Yesterday saw the most powerful expression possible of Am Yisrael Chai…Even at Eton College!
We look forward to next time!
With thanks & Best wishes
Jonathan
go yossi, shliach in golders green! keep up the gr8 work! good to see you bringing england in the spotlight
your fav niece
xx
A really amazing peulah.
You do get around.
H R in all you both do
Keep up the good work. Hatzlocho Raboh.
From all at no 5
Keep up the great work Yoss and Chani!
You make us proud!
Rabbi Simon this is truly a wonderful mitzvah! I didn’t know there was so much Jewish life at Eton! What a wonderful discovery.
Keep up all the good work you and Chanie do
Rabbi Simon is one of the Rebbe’s best. He and Chanie are a dugma chai for the whole community.
Rabbi Simon is an asset to the UK!
Great job
fr
Rabbi Simon you really keep the Rebbe’s Shlichus alive!
What a Kiddush HaShem. you have no idea how much this effects positivley
mendy you’re the best, such a tzadik, i miss you,
Y.F.
Eton is incredibly classy…it’s situated in Windsor, home to one of the Queen’s favorite castles, where there are 4 magnificent tapestries on display depicting the story of Purim. There are many Jewish boys there & the school has a Jewish “house” I believe (similar to a fraternity, but more formal, without the beer & partying!)
If you want a great tourist experience in London, I recommend spending a full day at Windsor. It is amazing!