London’s ‘Johnnies on the Spot’

By Leibel Baumgarten

If you’ve been to London, there’s a good chance you’ve heard about my aunt and uncle, Dr. Bunim and Sandy Weinbaum. Though it was never officially their position, the Weinbaums are quintessential Shluchim. We’ve all had the mantra, “Every Yid is a shliach” drummed into our heads. But the Weinbaums actually live that life. Whenever a need arose within the community, they found a way to meet that challenge.

When the Rebbe founded Tzivos Hashem, they managed the London branch and worked out of a shed in the back yard to educate and inspire thousands of children.

Despite not running a mossad, they put up a giant menorah and built and decorated sukkah mobiles – because they were needed.

For decades, they lived just a block away from the Yeshivah on Kingsley Way, serving as a home away from home for countless bochurim.

Over 20 years ago, they once again responded to a vital need in the community with perhaps their most ambitious project yet. They beautified and renovated a decrepit, dilapidated building to create the London Jewish Family Centre, a place for kids and parents to come play and enjoy fun programs in a welcoming, kosher environment.

The Weinbaums never drew salaries from the Center, this was simply a labor of love, a passionate dedication to fulfilling their shlichus wherever they saw a need.

As the years went by, Sandy started to become aware of far more pressing needs behind the smiling faces of the mothers, fathers, and children walking through her doors. There was the mother suffering addiction, the abusive father, the teenage girl who ran away from home, and so many more struggling families.

Slowly, the Center started adding more and more services. No longer just a place for kids to play, the Center is a vital social services provider. From counseling, therapy, and family support to guiding families through the complicated labyrinth of government social and family services.

When Covid put a stop to play programs, the Center went into overdrive with their social services. Over the past months, the need for a full fledged social services center became clear, and plans were made to change locations from the old Center to a brand new home better able to house and facilitate the new and growing services.

This is where you come in. The Weinbaums are one day into a 36 hour fundraising campaign to cover the costs. I know we are all Charidy-fatigued, but if you’ve ever been to London and recall a moment when the Weinbaums were there for you, I urge you to be there for them today. Every penny they raise will go to building the Center. It has never occurred to them to draw a salary for their work. They are just living their lives as Shluchim, always on a mission, looking for a way to impact the community and better the world around them.

I couldn’t be a prouder nephew. Please join me in supporting them today at https://charityextra.com/ljfc/weinbaum

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