Making a Bracha in a Church

By COLlive reporter

An impressive crowd of 850 men, women and some children celebrated the Rosh Hashana of chassidus at the Prince and Princess hall in Edmonton, London.

Marking 19 Kislev, the event was titled the Inspire Conference 5773 and drew a variety of British Jews, many who are involved with Chabad centers around England.

The event was advertised by UK Shluchim and organized by Rabbi Nissan Dovid Dubov, Director of Chabad of Wimbledon.

The event was also graced by the presence of the Rabbi Binyomin Klein, the Rebbe’s mazkir, who is in London for a family simcha.

Rabbi Menachem Junik, Rav of Beis Gavriel in Hendon, addressed the theme of 70 years of Hayom Yom and Chazzan Eli Sufrin sang Pada Vesholom and the Alter Rebbe’s niggun. The dancing was electric and the atmosphere was one of great achdus.

The guest speaker was Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar who captivated the audience with stories of his special relationship with President Vladimir Putin and of the renaissance of Jewry and Judaism in Russia.

One example he related was the amazing story of a young girl in Baku, Azerbaijan, who was born to a Jewish mother and a Christian father.

“The parents battled over the faith of the child,” Rabbi Lazar said. “One year, the mother sent the girl to Chabad’s Gan Israel day camp and the girl came back highly enthusiastic.”

“The dismayed father decided that he must counter-balance this and he set a date for the conversion of the child in a Russian Orthodox Church.

“On the day of the conversion when all were gathered in the Church, the little girl was asked to light a candle to celebrate the occasion. She lit the candle, covered her eyes and said the blessing “Baruch ata… Lehadlik Ner Shel Shabbos Kodesh!”

“This shows the eternal flame and is the message of Chanukah,” Rabbi Lazar concluded.

He was warmly thanked for his inspiring speech by R’ Yosef Pancheva, a member of Chabad Wimbledon and Russian speaker.

Rabbi Dubov called upon all present to make good decisions in setting up new Shabbos morning classes in Torah Or and Likutei Torah, studying Tanya following the new cycle, and learning Hayom Yom daily.