Chief Rabbi Dedicates UK Chabad House Extension

Last Thursday, April 7^th, the Chief Rabbi of the UK, Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, attended a special service and ceremony to consecrate and officially open the new extension to Chabad of Buckhurst Hill, a suburb of London.

The Chief Rabbi put up a beautiful silver Mezuza, donated by Shliach Rabbi Odom Brandman‘s parents, and unveiled a plaque commemorating the special visit and official opening.

This is believed to be the first Chabad Centre in the UK to receive an official visit by the Chief Rabbi to perform a “Consecration and Official Opening.”

Over 130 guests, members and supporters attended the uplifting and inspiring service, which was led by guest Chazan Rabbi Zali Rodal of Hendon. The assembled were welcomed by Rabbi Odom Brandman, the Centre Rabbi and Director, who spoke about the important milestone being celebrated and how honored the community was that the Chief Rabbi had participated, recognizing and acknowledging their contribution to Anglo Jewry.

Rabbi Brandman said “sometimes such celebrations are commemorating the end of a project, they were marking a new beginning and the opening of many new possibilities and opportunities for the community to expand, as long as there was a Jew in the neighborhood not being served, there was more work to be done.”

Words were also shared by Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin, director of Chabad Northeast London and Essex, Mr. Paul Groman-Marks, trustee of Chabad and Gabbai of the Shul, who introduced the Chief Rabbi, and a vote of thanks was proposed by Mrs. Larraine Warren, who praised the Rebbetzin of the Community, Mrs. Henny Brandman, their resident Shlucha and helper Bassie Sacks, and a strong team of ladies in the community who do a huge amount to help.

In his speech, the Chief Rabbi spoke about the amazing community that had been created literally out of nothing, and he blessed the community to continue to grow from strength to strength.

Rabbi Brandman made a presentation to the Chief Rabbi of a new set of books, some recently selected talks from the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

Both proceeding and following the ceremony, guests were treated to champagne, wine and an impressive array of canapés, including mini shepherd’s pies, triple decker salt beef sandwiches, latkes and some sweet treats.  Food was also prepared at the Chabad by one of its members, Chef Neil Cohen.