On Tuesday evening the 3rd Tammuz (July 9th) an inspiring evening marking 30 years since Gimmel Tammuz was held in Essex, UK, gathering many Chabad communities.
The evening with a joint project of regional Head Shluchim Rabbi Aryeh & Devorah Sufrin of Gants Hill, Ilford with Rabbi Odom & Henny Brandman of Buckhurst Hill, Rabbi Yanky & Rochel Abrams of Loughton, Rabbi Mordechai & Blima Wollenberg of Woodford and Rabbi Rafi & Chaya Brocho Goodwin of Chigwell. The event was hosted by Chigwell and Hainault Synagogue, where over 100 friends joined together to listen to stories of inspiring messages learned from the Rebbe’s leadership and enjoy some beautiful Chabad Niggunim played by musician and singer Mendel Moses.
The opening remarks were made by Chigwell Rabbi, Rabbi Rafi Goodwin who shared the story of his early transition from a hopeful Law student to being influenced by Chabad in Leeds and becoming a Shliach.
Tehillim for the security of Eretz Yisroel were led by Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg, Shliach to Woodford Forest Synagogue.
Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin MBE, Head Shliach to Essex shared three inspiring stories of his interactions with the Rebbe, beginning with his first encounter as a pre Bar Mitzvah boy of 12 in a unique private audience where the Rebbe gave him his first Shlichus. He then recounted how the Rebbe’s had chosen and given his blessings for he and his wife to move as a newly married couple as shluchim to Ilford, Essex, now in their 42nd year.
A video by JEM was shown, highlighting how every individual has the potential to teach by example sharing their experiences.
Rabbi Yanky Abrams, Rabbi to Loughton Synagogue introduced and explained in great depth two “Nigunim” taught by the Rebbe which were then sang and played by Mendel Moses.
Rabbi Odom Brandman, Shliach to Buckhurst Hill, shared a fascinating story of Hashgocho Protis from his early days of shlichus with his wife Henny, now in their 20th year.
The evening concluded with Mrs Devorah Sufrin, Head Shlucha to Essex, sharing her personal story having met the Rebbe as a seminary student aged 17 in a private audience. She highlighted the Rebbe’s vision and encouragement to make Jewish woman realise that they are leaders in their own right and recognise the influence that every woman has on her environment & beyond.
The event was catered as a joint event of all the local shluchos who put on a delicious spread to keep everyone equally nourished physically as they were being spiritually.
Numerous of the attendees undertook as a result to strengthen their observance, by undertaking additional mitzvot and attending learning opportunities. The event was a great show of Achdus among the local Shluchim who joined together to put on this event.
