Photos: Chanukah on Ice N.E. London and Essex

A crowd of over 350 adults and children joined Chabad Lubavitch of North East London & Essex (Ilford) as they celebrated their Annual “Chanukah on Ice” evening.

Despite the thick fog, and unusually cold temperatures of -2, excited families from all over Essex warmed themselves with an exciting evening of Jewish music, skating, dancing, singing and traditional latkas, doughnuts, piping hot home made soup and much more.

The event is organized by Rabbi Aryeh and Devorah Sufrin MBE, Head Shluchim to the area along with fellow Shluchim, Rabbi Moshe and Brocho Muller and Rabbi Odom and Henny Brandman, Shluchim to Buckhurst Hill, Essex.

This year they were joined by five Bochurim from the Yeshiva in Brunois, France, who came to assist Chabad Ilford with their wide range of Chanukah programs.

The Menorah was lit at the center of the ice-rink. The flames were kindled by Rabbi Moshe Muller, Rabbi Odom Brandman and other members of the community.

Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin MBE commented: “Every year the young and older look forward to this event and gather for an evening of fun and a social get together in an exclusively Jewish environment, which is hard to achieve in the wider community. This event attracts people from across the Jewish Community and like our annual Pesach shop, gives friends and associates a reason to meet in a central venue. It’s a time to reconnect as I meet people from years gone by. This year I met a lady, whom I was involved with 20 years earlier in order to break up a relationship with a non Jewish boy friend. Today she is married to a Yid, living in Eretz Yisroel and has two beautiful Jewish children. She said ‘ in the time of my darkness you were my Chanukah lights, I’m so grateful, thank you’. Others committed to joining other Chabad activities during the year PG”.

Special thanks to all the volunteers who assisted: Howard and Helen, Nina ,Stephanie, Uncle Brian and Aunty Ruth, Esther, Simon and the young Shluchos: Shterni Sufrin (Gants Hill) and Esti Rubin (Buckhurst Hill) who have been coordinating all the local Chanukah events.

Photo by Chavi Sufrin and Rabbi Moshe Muller

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