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Chabad of West Bloomfield Celebrates 38 Years

Rabbi Israel Mayer Lau, former Chief Rabbi of Israel, talks about his childhood in the Holocaust.

The Chabad Torah Center of West Bloomfield, MI celebrated its 38th annual dinner on Monday night, May 21, at the Novi Sheraton Hotel.

An overflow crowd of over 500 friends and supporters was mesmerized by guest speaker Rabbi Israel Mayer Lau, former Chief Rabbi of Israel, current Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv and Chairman of Yad Vashem Holocaust Center in Jerusalem, who was introduced by Dr. Dov Schuchman, president of the synagogue.

Rabbi Lau talked about his personal experiences after being liberated from the Buchenwald concentration camp at the age of eight, and poignantly related the story of a fellow nineteen year old survivor, who saw himself as the embodiment of Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones that were returned to life.

In their remarks, Rabbi Elimelech Silberberg and Rabbi Shneur Silberberg gave tribute to the contribution of Holocaust survivors in establishing Bais Chabad 38 years ago, and spoke about the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s mission of building a community based on the importance of valuing each individual, and bringing him or her closer through Torah education and Ahavat Yisrael.

In a surprise and very exciting announcement at the dinner, Mr. Martin Goodman announced that an anonymous donor had commissioned the writing of a Sefer Torah in honor of Rabbi Elimelech Silberberg and the entire congregation

Dinner honorees were Dr. Ken and Marilyn Kohn who received the Keser Shem Tov – Crown of Good Name – award, and Dr. Stanley and Sandra Boykansky who received the Chovevei Torah – Lovers of Torah – award.

Rabbi Lau visited the Zekelman family Holocaust Center in Farmington Hills earlier in the day, and attended a luncheon there sponsored by Mr. Alan Zekelman.

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21 Comments

  • Go silberberg!

    Rabbi Silberberg is the most wide ranged good “doo’er” in Detroit!! may he be blessed!

  • a talmid and community member

    True appreciation to Rabbi Avraham Wineberg, shliach and mentch par excellence, devoted heart and sole to his shlichus, the real man behind the success of this very special event.

  • Beautiful

    Wow! Looks beautiful! A true kiddush hashem that a shliach bases his shichus on Torah learning. All of us shluchim can use a little more of that.

  • Mazal tov!

    Rabbi and rebitzen Silberberg are true examples of shluchim who spread yidishkeit with warmth and passion.

  • Kiddush Lubavitch

    A truly beautiful event and Kiddush Lubavitch Rabbi Silberberg . May you be able to continue the Rebbes Shluchis for many more years without Agmas Nefesh from people who are looking to harm you.

  • Friend

    Go Rabbi Berel Shemtov!!! Your energy and input to this dinner, and the kind friendship that you’ve shown Rabbi Elimelech Silberberg throughout his Shlichus is AMAZING!!!!

  • beautiful

    looks very nice, if i am not mistaken i believe his son schneur silberberg is NOT a shliach.

  • kiddush hashem

    Rabbi Silberberg is someone who talks the talk and walks the walk. A walking kiddush Hashem. Hatzlacha Raba in ALL inyanim…

  • Inspirational

    Thank you for posting this beautiful event for us to see.
    These wonderful Shluchim can be looked up by all, to learn how to treat other yidden, how to devote themselves to each and every Yid, how to spread Torah and yidishkeit, in a selfless manner.
    May you continue to lead your congregation for many years, until the coming of moshiach.

  • Steve

    Rabbi Lau’s speech was absolutely an incredible experience! There was not a dry eye in the room!

    Thank you rabbi for making us a part of this wonderful community.

  • Me

    The Silberberg are true examples of shluchim that really selflessly spread Torah to the world.

  • To number 9

    Thats what I’m talking about! a positive vibe to a negative situation.

  • Re: #9

    Reminds me of a an old saying: “With friends like these who needs enemies” Dok Vetishkach.

  • A shul Goer

    Rabbi Wineberg is truely a selfless individual who works quietly behind the scenes making sure everything runs smoothly and flawlessly.
    Yasher Koach