They’ve been organizing farbrengens for the local chassidishe community, distributing hundreds of menorahs and celebrating the yoma d’pagra as befits a Tomim. They are the bochurim of Yeshivas Lubavitch Manchester, and they have had a busy Kislev.
The month began with an in-house farbrengen and seuda arranged by the bochurim with Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Akiva Cohen, Magid Shiur, Rabbi Moshe Wolberg and Mashpia, Rabbi Berel Korf.
As the Rebbe and Rebbitzen’s 90th wedding anniversary approached on yud-daled, the bochurim produced a tshura on inyonei chasuna with many pirsum rishon letters included. Yeshiva shliach Berel Nemerovsky worked hard and put together an impactful program. He brought Rabbi Alexander Namdar from Sweden to farbreng with the bochurim. Yeshiva chef, Yaakov Bruk catered a meal fit for a wedding and shliach to Sheffield, England, Rabbi Yonasan Golomb played music. The bochurim farbrenged and danced until 4am, taking on hachlotos to strengthen their hiskashrus in honor of the day.
The Yeshiva recently appointed Shalom Rice to the administrative staff, headed by R’ Sholom Weiss. As well as being involved in the personal care for the bochurim, for which YLM is renowned, Shalom has launched a new website for the Yeshiva. He is focused on creating a smooth channel for communication between parents and Yeshiva staff from the initial application, down to the bochur’s daily needs. Parents are already expressing appreciation for the detailed monthly report system. The British visa application process is detailed and Shalom is implementing systems to assist parents and streamline the process.
Shalom is also tasked with boosting the extra-curricular programs for the bochurim. Mere hours after the yud-daled farbrengen ended, the bochurim boarded buses for the seaside town of Bournemouth. There they spent a Shabbos at the Water Garden Kosher Hotel farbrenging with shliach Rabbi Yossi Alperowitz.
Manchester has the second largest Jewish community in England. There is a large and rapidly expanding frum kehilla which includes litvishe and many kloizen of chasidim. In honor of yud-tes Kislev, the bochurim arranged a grand farbrengen at the central chasidishe shul, Machzikei Hadas. They worked tirelessly to make sure that Rabbonim from all parts of the community were invited and to encourage people to attend. Their efforts bore fruit and hundreds came to farbreng with Rabbi Nosson Gurary of Monsey, N.Y. The farbrengen went on till 3am and many participants committed to forming chavrusas with bochurim to continue studying chassidus. The bochurim partnered with the ayeca program for the distribution of sifrei chasidus and during the seven-hour farbrengen they helped place orders for thousands of seforim.
Immediately following yud-tes kislev Chanukah preparations went into high gear. The bochurim distributed hundreds of menorahs, adding to their regular Friday mivtzoim routes to provide maximum coverage all around Manchester. The Bochrim helped arrange and attended a 101 car menorah parade, multiple public menorah lightings, chanukah parties and chanukah assemblies at local schools.
The yeshiva has always had a strong emphasis on building community leaders and Shalom is planning to enrich the already strong program. “We are curating a program that enthuses the bochurim both bgashmiyus and bruchniyus,” he says.
For more information about Yeshivas Lubavitch Manchester, please contact Shalom Rice at info@YLManchester.com.
