London Community Celebrates Library’s Reopening

Amid much celebration, the Ohr Hatorah Library in Stamford Hill, London has re-opened its doors on Thursday, 15 Iyar, with brand-new, spacious and state-of-the-art premises in the center of the community.

The event drew over 300 people from the local and greater London community. The proceedings commenced with the Kevias Mezuza by Rabbi M.C.E Padwa – Gaavad of His’achdus HaKehillos of London, Dayan L. Y. Raskin – Rav of Kehilas Lubavitch and Rabbi Yehoshua Raskin – a well respected member of the community.

The evening was chaired by Rabbi Levi Liberow, Director of Ohr Hatorah Library, who thanked the supportive members of Anash who continue to support and encourage this vital work, in particular the few dedicated yungerleit who organized this beautiful Chanukas HaBayis. A special mention went to Rabbi Mordche Vogel, Rabbi Motti Beenstock, Rabbi Yitzchok Austin and Rabbi Yeruchem Raskin.

The crowd then sat down for a Seuda whilst being addressed by Rabbi Padwa about the Mitzva of Ameilim BeTorah, which is mentioned in Parshas Bechukoisai.

Dayan Raskin gave over a story of R’ Shmuel Levitin, OBM, highlighting the value of every Yid through the teachings of Chassidus.

The evening served as an eye-opener to the world of Chassidus to the masses that have not yet experienced and studied the vast writings of Chassidus, in particular those of Chabad. The library offers Seforim and history journals relating to every single Chassidic community and dynasty.

Soul stirring melodies and Niggunim were sung in unison by all participants, and many requested for the library to introduce a regular Seder Niggunim.

The new premises are more user-friendly, central and comfortable for host Shiurim and Farbrengens.

The Ohr Hatorah Chassidic library and resource centre, situated in North London, was founded in Tammuz 5763 (2003), and is the first and largest of its kind in the UK. The library is a major resource centre serving the local Jewish community, which numbers close to 10,000 families.

The Library’s aim: providing the ability to access, learn, explore and research this rich and colourful heritage. One is able to visit the library on a daily basis and have access to the many thousands of publications, magazines, Seforim and audio CDs relating to the teachings, history and traditions of Chassidus.

The library also stocks thousands of journals and periodicals specializing in genealogy, which is of great interest to the many local members of the community who are researching their family origins.

The library offers the use of the Otzar Hachochma program, a popular on-screen library comprising over 65,000 Seforim, books and journals. One is able to use this program to learn, search and print out the relevant information.

A new addition is the Kol HaLoshon program – over 60,000 audio tracks of Shiurei Torah one could download onto an MP3.

In addition to this, a room in the library is dedicated to the viewing of thousands of hours of the Rebbe’s farbrengens and historical moments on video.

The library hosts many Shiurim and lectures on weekdays, particularly on public holidays, and continues to host many programs marking special dates on the Chassidic calendar.

The library has become an extremely sought after and important landmark in the wider London community.

“We are always looking to expand. But with the limited local funding opportunities, we must turn to our funders and supporters worldwide in order to allow us to continue providing our most sought after and popular services,” Rabbi Liberow told CrownHeights.info.

For dedication opportunities, please email leviliberow@gmail.com.