By COLlive reporter
It was an evening of mixed emotions at the Lubavitch of Scotland’s 43rd Anniversary Dinner held this week.
Some 160 people packed the Giffnock Shul Hall in Glasgow to celebrate and be uplifted by guest speaker Leibel Zisman, a Holocaust survivor of New York.
The evening began with a showing of a video presentation encapsulating the activities of Lubavitch in Scotland over the last 43 years which was followed by dancing.
A moving message was delivered via video by former Giffnock Shul minister Rabbi Jeremy Rosen who was responsible for bringing Lubavitch to Scotland.
At the time, Rabbi Chaim Jacobs was employed as Youth Rabbi to the synagogue and his wife Sora Jacobs taught in the Shul Nursery School.
Rosen noted the feelings of Glasgow Jewry when the first Lubavitch chossid walked on Scottish soil. He too was skeptical at first but stated that the Jacobs’ achievements surpassed all expectations – including his own.
Dinner chairman Stephen Jacobs welcomed the guests including Lord Provost the R.H. Councillor Sadie Docherty, and the provost of Eastwood Councillor Allastair Carmichael.
The toast to Lubavitch was given by supporter Dr. Bernard Groden who listed the numerous programs and achievements of Lubavitch, noting that Rabbi and Mrs. Jacobs were the longest serving Rabbi and Rebbetzin in Scotland.
They are joined by Rabbi Mendel and Tzirl Jacobs.
REMEMBER, DON’T FORGET
During his 45 minute address which left not a dry eye in the house, Zisman spoke about the miracles of his survival, despite seeing his parents and siblings being taken away, the numerous beatings, shootings and killings and the inhumane conditions in which he survived.
More than once a gun was held to his head but he miraculously survived, Zisman said and recalled how a Jew, moments before he was killed, told him, “When you get out from here, tell the world of all the suffering of our people.”
Zisman said he does not know the name of that man but the message still rings in his ears and this is why he travels telling people of the horrors that befell the Jewish people 60 years ago.
He explained how proud he is to be a Lubavitch chossid and a religious Jew and how his belief in G-d keeps him going each day. His survival and everything he has today is only thanks to G-d.
He told over about the special blessing he received from the 6th Lubavitcher Rebbe when he first arrived in the United States and how it inspires and gives him the strength to carry on.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
In his address, Rabbi Chaim Jacobs welcomed the guests including chairman of the first two Lubavitch dinners held in January and November in 1972, Bill and Alte Talbot when only 36 people were in attendance.
The “Kindness to Mankind Award” was given to the Lord Provost and Provost for the Glasgow City Council and East Renfrewshire Council in appreciation of the way the cities welcomed the Jewish refugees over the years.
In responding, the provost of Glasgow presented Lubavitch with the Glasgow City Council Coat of Arms in recognition of all their efforts.
The event was catered by Lubavitch’s Lchaim’s Kosher Catering, organised entirely by Sora. The evening concluded with a vote of thanks by long-standing friend and supporter of Lubavitch Michael Samuel.
The event was sponsored by the Sholom and Pessy Jacobs family foundation promoting Jewish awareness. This enabled the ticket price to be kept at a price everyone could afford.
Truly beautiful and well deserved tribute to a fantastic couple!
May Hashem shower His blessing on you so that you can continue with all the good work you do.
Best wishes
Benzion, Gita and family
Three cheers for Manchester and London. What wonderful achievments by this previous young couple. May HaSh-em give you the strength to carry on your wonderful work biz 120. Rabbi M.H.and F. Sufrin
We are proud of all the work you have done over the years; May Hashem give you strenght to continue your amazing Shlichus for many many years to come.
True dedicated Shluchim, as the rebbe attested they have distributed millions of inyonim of Torah and mitzvah and laid the foundation that even others made a Kollel, the Rebbe continued (and the pictures prove it) they are recognized by the government, and they have what to be jealous of.
Keep up your good work, we are so proud of you guys!
Go from strenght to stength , Chaim. a true Chayal!