Cornerstone Laid for Beis Gavriel

With a very unusual hot day for London, it seemed as if Hashem himself was smiling down as young and old joined together to celebrate the Hanochas Even Hapinah for the new premises of Beis Gavriel Shul and Gan Menachem.

Children with their parents and grandparents joined communal rabbis and leaders to rejoice in this major milestone for the Chabad Lubavitch community of London.

The event was opened by the community Rov, Rabbi Menachem Junik, who welcomed the assembled and the rabbonim: Dayan Lichtenstien, Rosh Bes Din of the Federation of Synagogues, Dayan LY Raskin, Rov of Anash Stamford Hill, Rabbi Gedalia Lieberman, Rov of Heichal Menachem Golders Green and Rabbi Faivish Vogel. Also in attendance were long time Shluchim and members of Hanholas Lubavitch UK Rabbis Shmuel Lew, Yitzchok Sufrin, Levi Sudak and CEO of Lubavitch UK Rabbi Bentzi Sudak. Rabbi YM Hertz, Rov of NW London Anash was unable to attend in person but had called earlier to send his warm wishes.

Rabbi Junik thanked Hashem for reaching this momentous occasion and gave a short history of the Shul, which was named for the Shluchim who were murdered in Mumbai HYD. Coming up to its 10th anniversary, it is truly unbelievable that a purpose built building is finally being erected for the community. Connecting the occasion to the upcoming Yom Tov of Shavuos, the Rov explained that even though the site looked nothing more that a dilapidated building with heaps of sand, the Torah was also given to us in a desert, but was the foundation to lead a Torah true life. So too with this building, it might look like sand at the moment, but this is the foundation of a very soon to be built and used Shul, communal center and nursery.

Rabbi Junik gave special mention to the dedicated staff of Gan Menachem, led by Mrs. Miriam Lieberman and Mrs. Dina Toron. The nursery is a true success story and many a time have I been approached by past and present parents who only have great things to say about their child’s experiences at the Gan. It will be definitely be a special moment in the Gan’s history when it can move to its own home and be able to take more children.

The greatest thanks, concluded the Rov, goes to the many committees that have brought this to fruition, led by Mr. Mendy Freundlich and Mr. David Abramson.

Dayan YY Lichtenstien, Rosh Bes Din of the Federation of Synagogues, under whose umbrella organization the Shul has joined, welcome the first Nusach Ari shul that has joined the Federation and wished the project much success.

An emotional and personal speech was then heard from leading communal activist and one of Beis Gavriel’s founders, Mr. David Abramson. In his friendly manner, David took little credit but instead showered praises upon the many different people such as president Mendy Freundlich who have put together so much to reach this important milestone. He also recounted that exactly 18 years previously he had just moved to London and lived in the same street as the new premises whilst not being an observant Jew. he reminisced about watching the local yidden who walk from far and wide to reach their Shul on Shabbos morning, and cannot quite fathom the idea that here he is, back on the same street, involved in building a Shul!