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.".
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