Roving Rabbis to Come to Isle of Man

Roving Rabbis Mendel Yaffee and Shimon Kivman are visiting the Isle of Man this week. The Roving Rabbi Project sends out rabbis and rabbinical students across the globe bringing Judaism or a helping hand to communities which either do or do not have a rabbi or a full ledger Jewish community.

This was instituted by The Chabad-Luabavitcher Rebbe with the motto of ‘caring and love for your fellow’.

Chabad-Lunbavitch has grown to be the largest Jewish outreach arm of Judaism, with around 4,000 centres the world over.

On their two-day trip to the Isle of Man, Rabbis Mendel and Shimon were due to meet leaders and members of the Jewish community.

They were also meeting people in their homes, offices and shops.

And today (Thursday) they had an audience with Douglas Mayor Councillor Ritchie McNicholl to bring greetings and blessings to the island.

Rabbi Shimon said before their visit: ‘We are very excited as we know that this is a unique opportunity for us as well as for the Jewish community.

‘Being that it is the first visit of its kind, we are looking forward to meeting the Jewish community.’

Rabbi Dovid Jaffe, of Chabad-Lubavitch Manchester, who is co-ordinating the programme, added: ‘We are looking forward to connecting and inspiring people in the Isle of Man and giving them a chance to connect with their heritage.’

The Roving Rabbis were also available to the wider community, to speak to anyone who wanted to ask questions about the Jewish faith.

Besides home and office visits, there was due to be an open meeting last night (Wednesday evening) at The Rutland Hotel.

Chabad representatives have visited thousands of cities in more than 150 countries.

Hundreds of young students who participate in this annual programme visit outposts in Asia, Europe, the Americas and beyond. Their luggage consists of kosher food, Jewish books and educational material.