Delegation from UK Visits Auschwitz
Chabad-Lubavitch of Northeast London and Essex led an emotional and inspiring trip to Poland by chartering a full plane with 144 participants.
Led by Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin MBE, Regional Director of Chabad Essex, UK, and Rabbi Barry Marcus of the Central United Synagogue, London, accompanied by fellow Shluchim Rabbi Odom Brandman (Buckhurst Hill) and Rabbi Rafi Goodwin (Barkingside), the trip took the participants to Auschwitz 1, Auschwitz –Birkenau, Shindler’s factory and concluded with a visit to the Remo Shul and cemetery in Krakow.
Three special minyonim were held throughout the day. The first, Shacharis on the early flight to Poland, with the shluchim working hard to ensure every opportunity was utilized for Mivtza Tefillin at 25,000 feet. Mincha followed the concluding ceremony at Birkenau, as the day was waning at the foot of the tracks that took, R”L, millions to their final fate al Kiddush Hashem. Maariv was davened at the Remo shul, within feet of where the Remo Hakoidesh stood in his holy Tefillos.
“This trip was the brainchild of Chabad Trustee Mr Daren Burney and his friend Malcolm Webber in consultation with me,” said Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin. “As well as the benefits of this kind, it is part of the five-year strategy and development plan for Chabad-Essex to reach further afield beyond those who may otherwise attend services in our two Chabad Houses in Gants Hill and Buckhurst Hill. The range of people participating, background and age group proved that this approach of our fellow trustees is exactly right. Coming specifically during the year of Hakhel, this was an ingenious way to bring together men, women and teenagers for pure inspiration, both up in the skies and the harsh realities of historic anti-Semitism repeating itself R”l across Europe today. Our response is strengthening our commitment to Yidishkeit and doing good. This was achieved, for which we are grateful,” said Rabbi Sufrin.
“Following the success of this trip, plans are underway to organize annual trips to historic places of interest, and in particular to visit other Chabad Centers and be Mechazek each other,” Rabbi Sufrin said.
