Chassidim Farbreng Together in Stamford Hill, London

Once again, the Chassidic community of Stamford Hill joined with Anash for a fabrengen/melave malka. This annual event was hosted by Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Liberow, director of the Ohr Hatorah Chassidus Library.

This past Motzei Shabbos, over 450 people gathered together in the Yismach Lev Satmer hall, to partake in a fabrengen in preparation of Yud Tes Kislev.

The fabrengen was chaired by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gordon, mashpia of Yeshiva Gedola, Kingsley Way, and was graced with the presence of many prominent rabbonim, including: the Mara D’asra, Harav Hagaon R’ Efraim Padwa (Rov of London), Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin, Rabbi Yitzchok Meir Hertz (Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah Kingsley Way), Harav Pinchas Schneebalg (Rosh Yeshiva of Chaim Meirim Wiznitz, London) and guest speaker and fabrenger Harav Menachem Mendel Foigel, Rosh Kollelei Mayonei Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel.

The overflowing crowd, both from anash and the wider Chassidic community, sat down together to a lavish catered meal accompanied by live music. The keynote speech, delivered by Rabbi Foigel, highlighted the importance of every single individual to learn Chassidus, and to learn it b’rabim where one is able to reach a greater clarity by discussing concepts of chassidus with other people.

The entire crowd joined together and sang soul stirring niggunim, concluding with the Alter Rebbe’s niggun daled bovos. Just before benching, the crowd arose and burst out into joyous dancing. People were moved to tears by this ultimate expression of achdus of all Chassidic circles dancing together.

The thirst for Chassidus was evident by the amount of interest shown in the display of seforim on sale.

The active participation of the shluchim and bochurim of the Yeshiva Gedola, Kingsley Way enhanced the atmosphere of the fabrengen.

After bentching, which was long beyond midnight, Rabbi Foigel continued to fabreng until 4:00 in the morning.

The melave malka was preceded by a Friday night fabrengen at the home of Rabbi Nachman Yosef Wilhelm, and Sunday night there was also a fabrengen there until the early hours of the morning. Many yungerleit and yeshiva bochurim attended these late night night fabrengens.

Rabbi Foigel returned to Eretz Yisroel Monday morning, leaving the London community with a greater enthusiasm to pursue the teachings of chassidus. He inspired many to take upon themselves to learn Chassidus as part of their daily schedule.

Ohr Hatorah has received numerous requests to host more of these shiurim and fabrengens, and this highlights the necessity of Ohr Hatorah’s programmes for the Chassidic community.

Ohr Hatorah is open every evening for the benefit of all those looking to access the world of Chassidus. The library has an extensive collection of thousands of Chassidic seforim, journals and publications, and a special room in the library has been dedicated for viewing the many thousands of hours of Farbrengens and distribution of dollars etc. Ohr Hatorah also hosts Farbrengens and shiurim regularly in its warm and friendly environment.