Retreat on Spanish Beachfront

Fascinating lectures, superb kosher cuisine and entertainment by Cantor Israel Rand were enjoyed by the participants of the sixth annual European Jewish Retreat, held last week.

The Kempinski Bahia Resort Hotel in the Spanish beach-front city of Marbella, an exclusive destination for wealthy tourists, played host to this year’s sixth annual European Jewish Retreat.

Men and women from all over Europe spent the May 31 – June 3 weekend with insightful lectures, superb kosher cuisine and entertainment in the opulent surroundings.

Among the inspiring speakers were Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ron Prosor, Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet from the Mill Hill Synagogue in London, Mrs. Louise Hager, Chairperson Chai Cancer Care in London and Rabbi Mendel Duchman from Los Angeles, California.

Rabbi Mendel Duchman of Los Angeles, a leading American Chassidic motivational speaker and life coach, who became world renowned thru his global travels coaching the Rebbe Shluchim with their day to day financial communal responsibilities, as well as having the rare and remarkable opportunity to be deeply and simultaneously involved in two influential worlds — the world of commerce and finance, and the world of spiritual inspiration and Jewish outreach.

He also served as the master of ceremonies at the retreats gala banquet, where he so eloquently introduced the Honorable ambassador Ron Prosor, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations.

Among the guest Shluchim and speakers were: Chief Rabbi Benyomin Jacobs from Holland, Rabbi Alexander Barada from Moscow, Russia, Rabbi and Mrs. Namdar from Sweden, Rabbi Dovid Katz from London, Rabbi Benjamin Wolf from Finland and Rabbi Motty Liberow from Melbourne, Australia.

Chabad Lubavitch of Costa del Sol, directed by Rabbi Cheski Goldstein, was involved in the planning and hosting.

The guests enjoyed a Sunday afternoon visit to the famous port Puerto Banus with the presence of Ambassador Prosor.

The retreat was organized by the Brussels-based European Jewish Study Network, headed by Rabbi Sholom Liberow, and coordinated by Fleishman Productions.

No event is complete without a good dose of Jewish entertainment. Cantor Israel Rand from Israel led a sing-a-long concert on Sunday evening.

Preparations are well underway for the 7th annual retreat.

Photos: Berale Shainer