Shabbos TCUKE in Leeds, Shabbos Parashas Vo-ero 5783

KOLLEL IGNITES SHABBOS SPARK IN LEEDS

The greater Leeds community has just enjoyed a beautiful, inspiring Shabbos arranged by the Leeds community Kollel.

The congregants of the various shuls in Leeds, as well as the kollel families, were all invited to join in the special Shabbos with the well known Travelling Chassidim, where unity, joy and classic Jewish spirit were once again the trademark themes of the day. Approximately 300 people participated in the Shabbos events in total, including some kollel families who used to live in Leeds, and have since moved to Manchester or Gateshead, who came back to Leeds to join this special Shabbos.

Friday night saw many women arriving to the UHC shul in Shadwell Lane, where tables of tea-lights had been beautifully prepared for the women to light. Seeing so many Jewish women of all types, bringing in Shabbos together in the time honoured way that Jewish women have always done, was a very moving experience for many.

Rabbi Aharon Kramer of the Leeds kollel, who organised the Shabbos, arranged for an inspiring guest speaker, Rabbi Ozer Mashkofsky, aish campus Rabbi at Leeds University, to join the special Shabbos, and indeed, his warm words were very well welcomed by the Shabbos guests each of the three times he spoke.

The lively Kabbalas Shabbos was led by the UHC Rabbi/Chazzan, Rabbi Alby Chait, together with the TCUK men who stood on the bimah with the chazzan and sang and harmonised with him. This was followed by a beautiful Shabbos dinner, professionally catered by the Kollel wives. The Shabbos seuda was punctuated by much spirited singing and dancing, as well as Rabbi Mashkofsky’s fascinating drosho.

On Shabbos morning, davening was held at the BHH on Street Lane, with a much larger turnout than usual. TCUK member, R’ Hershi Stark of Stamford Hill, davened for the amud, and as well as the regular Shabbos sermon from the BHH Rabbi, Rabbi Kleinman, Rabbi Mashkofsky also spoke after davening.

The drosho was followed by a really nice cholent Kiddush, catered by Yoeli Wreschner of Manchester, and then mincha. The Kiddush was so enjoyed, with the Leeds members enjoying interacting with the Travelling Chassidim families, that mincha actually started quite a bit later than planned.

 A lower key Mincha and Shalosh Seudos were held in Eitz Chaim later in the afternoon, for the TCUK men, and whoever of the Leeds men who wished to join.

For many people, the highlight of Shabbos was the havdala ceremony with accompanying concert, also in Eitz Chaim. Everyone in the hall had their own candle, and as each candle was lit from the one before it, the darkened room gradually filled with the beautiful light of over one hundred havdala candles, clearly symbolising how we all spread light to each other, and around the world.

Chazzan Chait made havdala, with the TCUK singing their well loved havdala refrain. The concert which followed featured Mr Nesanel Bamberger playing keyboard, and the Travelling Chassidim men leading the singing, first in kumzitz style songs, and then progressing to lively singing and dancing, on both sides of the mechitza.

Rabbi Mashkofsky once again inspired the crowd with his warm words, and the evening ended on a high note with pizza being served and enjoyed by one and all, and finally, a lovely group photo to memorialise the wonderful feelings of achdus that the Shabbos engendered.

About The Travelling Chassidim

Ø  TCUKE / Travelling Chassidim UK & Europe is a branch of the Traveling Chassidim in America. Originally founded in America, it is the brainchild of Rabbi Aryeh Royde of Monsey, New York the UK branch was formed by volunteers in London, Westcliff, Manchester in England and Antwerp, Belgium.

Ø  Inspired by the teachings of the late Rabbi Noach Weinberg זצ"ל (ZTZ”L) of Aish HaTorah - especially by his innovative initiative Project Inspire, this young Manchester-born Avreich (young Rabbi) set out to create a new flavour on the outreach scene.

The Travelling Chassidim is a part of the World of Belz Institutions, whose headquarters are based in Kiryat Belz, Jerusalem in the Holy Land.

Ø  The Belz Chassidim community operates under the guidance and leadership of the Rebbe of Belz שליט"א (SHLIT”A).

Ø  The USA-based Travelling Chassidim travel across North America, from San Antonio, Texas in the south to Côte Saint Luc in Canada up North, whilst their UK partners have so far reached the Scottish borders and even hopped across the North Sea – all the way to Berlin, Germany.

Ø  The UK branch of Travelling Chassidim do pretty much the same: we visit Jewish communities in the Provinces of the United Kingdom, and wherever else we are invited around Europe.  TCUKE has so far visited – amongst others: Glasgow, Redbridge, Dalston, Chigwell, Woodside Park, Leeds, Manchester, Kenton, Woodford Forest, Leytonstone, Radlett, Bushey, Borehamwood, Stoke Newington, South Tottenham and of late we even hopped across the Channel for an unforgettable Shabbos in Berlin.

Ø  Yes, we travel with our families – our wife and children are equal partners in our mission – and in the fun.

Ø  Apart from Yiddish (aka mamme‑loshen), some of our members also speak Hebrew (and French, Dutch, German and English).

The Travelling Chassidim is a purely Voluntary Organisation

Ø  One special feature of the Travelling Chassidim is a not-for-profit organisation: we do not charge for our services.  The host community’s only expenditures would cover travel, Kosher food and [where there is no private lodging available] accommodation.

Ø  Here's has a trump card for anyone who is thinking of having the Travelling Chassidim over for a Shabbos – in the words of one of its founders:

“Any community that hesitates to invite us on the assumption that costs would be beyond their budget should feel free to reach out to us anyway. Firstly because of the minimal expenditure involved and secondly as there are generous people who are prepared to help out; many a memorable Shabbos have thus made a dream come true.".

With thanks to R. Deutsch in Manchester for preparing this press release.

ShabbatUK at Woodford Forest United Synagogue

 The Travelling Chassidim of London were privileged to spend Shabbos with the warm and welcoming community of Woodford Forest, East London, who has at its helm the tireless Rabbi and Rebbetzin Wollenberg and their family.

We arrived shortly before Shabbos and were warmly welcomed by the Rabbi.  The assistant Esther showed us to our comfortably prepared rooms, which were to be our lodging quarters for the duration of ShabbatUK.

Friday night we met the members who came to daven and were eager to welcome us and make us feel at home in every way possible. We enjoyed a spirited Kabbalat Shabbat, replete with singing and Maariv davening was filled with warm songs and followed by dancing in unison – the Travelling Chassidim and members of the local community coming together in a rare show of unity!

We were then escorted to the Rabbi's house where a lavish meal was served - all cooked and prepared by the Rebbetzin, the assistant Esther and the Wollenberg children.  Stories and Divrei Torah were shared and in spite of our different backgrounds we bonded over insightful conversation and delectable food and wine.

Shabbat morning we listened to the Rabbi's shiur on Tanya, whose insightful yet practical words of inspiration and Jewish thought were relevant and meaningful to all. It was then that we met Shul members who had not been in shul the night before; what a welcome we received!

Shacharit followed with the Chassidic touch, Rabbi Aron Weingarten leading the prayers with songs that created a cohesive and inspiring atmosphere. The reading of the Torah was interspersed with Mazel Tov wishes and singing for the 85^th Birthday and for the birth of a great-granddaughter – both Simchos of locals. A festive atmosphere permeated the whole assembly and was upped to the next level by the Rabbi’s warm words of inspiration. Rabbi Wollenberg's uplifting words about the power of the Shabbos - specifically the impact of a nationwide ShabbatUK - as a time to inspire others to find meaning in Shabbat and their everyday lives, empowered the audience to raise the bar for Yiddishkeit.

After Mussaf we were led to the eating area where a lavish sitting down kiddush lunch was lovingly prepared by the Rebbetzin and the ever-present Esther. It was then that the atmosphere peaked with the Travelling Chassidim singing traditional oldies as well as Chassidic songs. We also spent the time meeting and getting acquainted with each other, discussing our lives, communities and histories. Friendships were forged as young and old bonded finding the things that bring us together rather than the differences that set us apart.

One shul participant remarked "it's never been this atmospheric before", another said "you made our Shabbos atmosphere" - everyone was in good spirits and palpable energy was felt throughout the whole Shabbos.

The Travelling Chassidim were again escorted to the Rabbi's house where we were given the traditional 'chulent', kugels and dessert. Family Wallenberg's hospitality is really legendary!

Mincha followed after a Shabbat nap together with a cozy Shalosh Seudos - again prepared in style, sparing no effort. Traditional Zemirot was sung as well as other Jewish niggunim; the atmosphere was one of friendship and cohesion!

Shabbos ended too quickly but with fond memories of this wonderful opportunity to meet such a hospitable and loving community and to bring different sectors of the Jewish community together is really unforgettable!

Huge Shoutout to Rabbi and Rebbetzin Wallenberg, Esther Odze and the wonderful Wollenberg clan for going all out to make this happen! See: Selichot 5783 - YouTube

Remembering the “Miracle Rabbi” of Czenger

Rabbi Asher Anshel Halevi Jungreis זצוק"ל—The Menuchas Asher of Czenger — Yahrtzeit on Sunday, ה' כסלו

This Sunday, December 4th, marks the 142nd Yahrtzeit of the saintly miracle worker, the Menuchas Asher of Czenger. Known in his time throughout Hungary and even across Europe as a tzadik who was imbued with Divine powers, his memory continues to warm hearts in the service of Hashem today. He was particularly known for his segulos and blessings that healed the sick and aided the needy with a touch of the supernatural.

Born in Secze, Hungary in 1806 into a family of rabbinic aristocracy, Reb Asher Anshel quickly earned a name in his own right. He studied for two years under the saintly Maharam Ash, who later described his student as “the outstanding rabbi and wonder worker.” At the tender age of 28 Rabbi Jungreis was accepted as rabbi of the city of Czenger.

During his early years in Czenger the rabbi suffered from an appalling level of poverty. Without sufficient funds to purchase firewood, he suffered through the worst of the freezing European winters. Nights were spent cuddling up with his sons under blankets so they could study Torah together.

Somehow, though, the tzadik nevertheless managed to find money to support numerous widows and to marry off orphans. He also sent large sums of money for the poor of Eretz Yisrael. After his death, a receipt for the unbelievable amount of 25,000 gold coins was found in his possession. In appreciation, the people of Yerushalayim sent Rabbi Jungreis a fine garment of the type worn in their city. The rabbi made a point of wearing it all the time, and it can be seen in the famous photo of the Czenger Rav.

Beginning in 1842, when the Czenger Rav was 36 years old, his reputation spread throughout Hungary and beyond. People streamed to him from all over to receive the rabbi’s blessings and advice, and everyone knew that whoever followed the tzadik’s advice would be crowned with success. He offered segulos to heal the sick and blessed the barren with child.

Rabbi Jungreis had an uncanny ability to immediately reveal the cause of every health problem that was brought before him, even in cases where the top professors were completely stymied. It was obvious to all that he merited Divine Providence due to his wisdom and saintliness.

Among the many tzadikim who expressed their highest regards for Rabbi Asher Anshel Jungreis was Rabbi Meir of Premyszlan. He sent the Czenger Rav an invaluable gift: a handwritten siddur prepared a G-d-fearing scribe. Rabbi Jungreis treasured this gift, which remains in the possession of his descendants to this day, and he made it his practice to daven specifically from this siddur. The Czenger Rav wasalso praised highly by the Divrei Chaim of Tsanz, who often sent his sons to visit and learn from Rabbi Jungreis, as well as the Yeitiv Lev of Sighet.

On the night of the fifth of Kislev in 1873, Rabbi Asher Anshel Halevi Jungreis finished Maariv as he usually did and sat down to deliver a shiur on the Talmud in Shabbos that describes the experience of Moshe Rabbeinu when he ascended on high. Then the Czenger Rav lay down in his bed and passed away later that night in his sleep. He led the Jewish people for over 40 years.

Ever since his funeral the following day, the kever of the tzadik in Czenger has been known as a place where tefilos are accepted. Many people have enjoyed wonderful yeshuos after visiting the final resting place of the renowned Baal Mofes.

In addition to his seminal work Menuchas Asher, Rabbi Jungreis’ history is recorded in Niflaos Asher and Toldos Anshei Mofes. His legacy is carried on by his many descendants who for generations have provided guidance and leadership to Jews all over in their positions as rabbis and Torah leaders. (Over 80 of his descendants who were killed during the Holocaust, הי"ד, were leading rabbis and teachers in Hungary.)

Outstanding among these is Rabbi Mordechai Jungreis שליט"א, the Niklesburg Rebbe. The Niklesburg Rebbe is a fifth-generation descendant of the Menuchas Asher through a direct patrilineal line. His work in spreading the warmth of Torah and Chessed through the “Niklesburg Chessed Center” and in the summertime through the Woodbourne Shul, Congregation Bnai Israel, is well known.

Many descendants and followers are travelling to Hungary to daven at the kever of the tzadik on the day of the Yahrtzeit. There will also be a special Yahrtzeit Seudah in Boro Park hosted by the Niklesburg Rebbe שליט"א on sunday night at Niklesburg Shul, 4912 16th Avenue 2nd floor. All are welcome to share in this heartwarming experience and bask in the glow of the miracle rabbi, the Czenger Rav.

HIGH SPIRITS AT LONDON MENORAH LIGHTING

 HIGH SPIRITS AT LONDON MENORAH LIGHTING DESPITE RELENTLESS RAIN

Adapted from Anash News ה׳ טבת ה׳תשפ״ג - DECEMBER 29, 2022

 Leytonstone and Wanstead Synagogue Hosted a total of 3 menorah lightings around the London Neighbourhood with many in attendance despite the rain.

For the fourth year, the Leytonstone Menorah stood at the far end of Fillebrook Road – just opposite Leytonstone tube station, East London.

On Sunday 18^th December, which was the first night of Chamuka, the shamesh was lit by the Mayor of Waltham Forest, Karen Bellamy, in front of a crowd of over 300 people who sampled traditional doughnuts, latkes, and hot chocolate. This year’s public menorah lighting featured music from the London Klezmer Band, led by Yossi Davidovich (clarinet), along with Josh Middleton (accordion), Piotr Jordan (violin) and Noam Barkani (guitar). They were joined by Menasche Scharf, the founder of The Shul Hoppers, who – apart from keeping the crowds dancing - also sang the three Chanukah blessings.

Leytonstone and Wanstead Synagogue’s Rabbi Yitzchok Austin, whose family also attended, gave a talk about Hakhel to a mixed crowd of local Shul members and visitors from neighbouring areas including Walthamstow, Stratford, and Forest Gate. Various local dignitaries including Councillors and Waltham Forest Council representatives were also in attendance. Despite the relentless rain and after a freezing week of snow and ice, high spirits were sustained throughout the Menorah lighting event with plenty of singing, socialising, and dancing.

The Leytonstone Menorah was made using funds granted by Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture 2019 and the installation with logistical and infrastructural support from the National Highways. The street party was supported by the London Borough of Waltham Forest’s Leader’s Fund; and the overall event was organised by Leytonstone and Wanstead Synagogue – a small dynamic community based in Fillebrook Road, Leytonstone, East London.