WELCOME TO CHABAD HAVERING
Chabad North East London & Essex launches the foundation for its latest Chabad Branch.
Chabad N.E. London & Essex are delighted to announce the recent launch of its newest chapter in the area of Havering, which covers amongst others the area of Collier Row, Romford, Hornchurch, Upminster & Rainham.
With the ongoing migration of the Jewish Community across Essex, Chabad locally have been mapping where families are choosing to live outside the well-known areas of Ilford, Redbridge & beyond.
Activities began in January with regular meetings, discussion groups, one to one learning and a Challah bake led by Mrs Devorah Sufrin. Last week a joint Challah bake was held in Romford Synagogue to which there were some twenty five participants. A new website displaying recent and ongoing services is live on www.chabadhavering.co.uk.
Rabbi Sufrin MBE, Exec Director Chabad N E London & Essex says; “continuous requests have been made to us over a fair period of time, asking Chabad to get more involved in the area of Havering. In discussion with my wife Devorah, we decided that we must respond. In addition to three thriving Chabad Houses, based in Ilford, Buckhurst Hill & Epping with full time Chabad Emissaries, regular activities are held in Southend and now Havering.”
For now, these additional areas are serviced in the main by Rabbi & Mrs Sufrin, as the foundations are laid and relationships are built, scouting the wider areas mapping where Jewish people are living. This is often the way that in due course the seeds are sown in order to secure further Shluchim (emissaries) leading to full time Chabad Centres.
Funding will have to be secured to bring these new areas into realities, but as Rabbi Sufrin tells us,
“even though funding is always a concern and a challenge, however, as the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Schneerson zy”o taught us so well, that when it comes to Jewish Education and the needs of securing Jewish Communities, we cannot allow funding to hold us back”
Rabbi & Mrs Sufrin celebrate their 37th anniversary of Chabad leadership locally picking up the baton of his late Parents Rev Aron Dov & Hennie Sufrin z”l who laid the first seeds for Chabad back in 1976, from which Chabad across Essex continues to flourish.
Thought for the week from Rabbi A. M. Sufrin MBE
Naso…. Preparations for the journey.
In the second section of the Chumash / Book of Numbers, begins with count of the Levitical families. Then various purification laws and processes. Finally, the portion records the offerings that each of the tribal princes donated to the Tabernacle on opening day.
The offering (of the princes) consisted of one silver bowl, weighing 130 (shekels)…(7:13)
The Torah could have simply given the details of one of the prince’s offerings and stated that each of the 12 Princes brought the same offering, instead of recording each ones gifts although they are all identical.
Similarly, we all recite the same words in our prayers and perform similar commandments. Yet, at the same time we are all individuals with a unique relationship with G-d. We are NOT only permitted to express our own individual feelings and intent in our prayers and our performance of the commandments – we are required to do so.
Every day’s prayers and deeds should reflect the unique spiritual accomplishments we have made since the last time we prayed and performed them.
We continue to pray for the well being of our IDF soldiers, an everlasting peace in Israel and peace and tranquility for all of our brothers and sisters across the globe.
Wishing you a meaningful Shabbat and successful week to follow.

