Essex UK Expands to Third Center

Chabad Lubavitch North East London and Essex have just acquired their third Chabad House in Epping, adding to its already well known success in its Head Office Gants Hill Centre led by Head Shluchim to Essex, Rabbi Aryeh MBE and Devorah Sufrin, for 35 years and its second Chabad house in Buckhurst Hill now in its 11th year, led by Rabbi Odom and Hennie Brandman.

Following three years of initial seed sowing led by the Sufrins, with monthly discussion groups, numerous Shabbatons, and Yom Kippur services held in nearby hotels, a group of dedicated activists led by Steven and Arlene Klein, together with Rabbi and Mrs Sufrin and the Board of Trustees, saw it befitting to acquire its own premises as a Chabad House.

A three bedroom house has been leased for an initial 12 month period to further develop its Chabad activities and assess the best geographical place in the area for a more permanent Chabad House in due course.

An inaugural Shabbos was held last week, with some 40 adults and 10 children sitting down to a Friday night meal, and some 30 adults returning Shabbos morning for Shabbos davening. The weather was stunning and a beautiful Kiddush was held in the garden sponsored by one of the team Danielle & Jeff Levine, in honor of her mother’s yarzheit.

For now, Shabbat services will be held on a monthly basis, children’s clubs, weekly one to ones, monthly JWC discussion groups for men and women, Hebrew reading groups, mother and toddler sessions are amongst a whole host of activities now being planned.

Rabbi Sufrin says: “watching this development is inspiring as we see the humble beginnings repeat themselves as we experienced in the early days of our shlichus more than three decades ago. Activities beginning in a small house became the foundation to each of our Centres which are now each with large beautiful buildings and dedicated Shluchim making it happen.”

Rabbi and Mrs Sufrin continue to seek interviews with prospective Shluchim families to join the growing success of their Chabad centres across Essex. For more information and any interest in any current shlichus positions available please contact Rabbi Sufrin MBE – [email protected].