Almost 100 people came together in the Midlands last week for the UK National Conference of Chabad Lubavitch Rabbis.
During two days of conference 82 rabbis took part in more than 20 sessions on every conceivable aspect of the modern day rabbinate and left energised to serve their communities with renewed purpose and vigour.
It was announced that there are currently 127 Chabad Rabbis posted throughout the country on Campus, at Chabad Houses, as pulpit rabbis, as educators and youth workers in 60 centres and that in the last 6 months alone, new centres have been opened in Notting Hill, Bromley, Crouch End and on the South Bank to serve their growing Jewish communities.
Guests of Honour included Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky from Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters who oversees the development of more than 4,000 Chabad religious and educational institutions throughout the globe.
Dayan Shmuel Simons of the London Beth Din who congratulated the unique nature of the daily work carried out by Chabad Lubavitch UK for Anglo-Jewry, where, in many locations around the country the local Chabad rabbi is the only Jewish leader to call on.
Rabbi Yossy Gordon, Executive VP Chabad on Campus International, added his unique blend of down to earth and humorous advice, delivered in a heartfelt manner and held the Rabbis spellbound until the early hours of the morning.
Rabbi Mendy Chazan, a recent addition to Chabad of Leeds and co-director of CTeen Leeds, (the youth movement arm of Chabad Lubavitch) said: “For me the networking aspect of the Kinus was great. An opportunity to learn from, discuss and share ideas of best practice with such a variety of colleagues. It really is wonderful to be able to rely on such a large pool of peer talent while also working on your own projects wherever you may be in the country.”
Rabbi Bentzi Sudak, Chief Executive of Chabad Lubavitch UK commented that “the immense growth of Chabad Lubavitch in both numbers of personnel and reach of each individual centre is inspiring and invigorating. This is a testament to the personalised ,genuine and non-judgmental approach of each Shaliach, inspired by the Rebbe ZY”A renowned for his vision and his care for each individual Jewish person, and to the relevant and cutting-edge programming Chabad has on offer to Jews of all walks of life. Also ourwell-earned thanks go to the tireless volunteers of the organising committee, without whom nothing could have been achieved.”