Reports

By Simon Jacobson, The Meaningful Life Center

Today -- 24 Tevet -- marks the beginning of the 200th yahrzeit of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812).

The Alter Rebbe, the founder of Chabad Chassidism, drew from all previous Talmudic and mystical teachings to create the most comprehensive blueprint to date for modern life, training us how to unite faith and reason, spirit and matter. Deeply involved in the turbulent history of his day, author of the Tanya, Shulchan Aruch and thousands of discourses, Rabbi Schneur Zalman revolutionized every aspect of Jewish life. Full bio.

Many people wonder what did Chassidus contribute... On this auspicious day, we are pleased to bring you an article about the Alter Rebbe's pioneering contribution to Jewish thought and tradition.

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I'll never forget the question posed to me by a woman in South Miami Beach. I had just finished a lecture about my book, Toward a Meaningful Life, presenting the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, to the secular public.

"Did the Rebbe recognize Conservative Judaism?" asked the woman. "Because if he did not, I don't want to buy the book of a bigot," she bluntly stated. The entire auditorium fell silent.

I paused before I replied. "No, he did not recognize its legitimacy." The audience became uncomfortably restless, until I continued: "But he also didn't recognize Orthodox Judaism, ultra-orthodox, reformodox, reconstructodox, and all the other 'doxes' that have been and will be created.

"The reason being: Nowhere is mention made of all these labels in the constitution of Judaism - The Torah.

"Indeed, allow me to ask you in return: Was Moses Orthodox, Conservative or Reform? Anyone with even a rudimentary understanding of spirituality knows that one cannot stereotype and fit the soul into man-made labels and structures. The soul is not square, round, tall or short. Neither is it orthodox, conservative or reform, any more than it is republican or democrat. The soul is a Divine force in each of us, infusing us with an indispensable mission to fulfill in our lifetime."

I learned this fundamental truth in Chabad, as a student and chassid of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994).

Rabbi Schneerson, or as he is lovingly called "The Rebbe," was the seventh in a dynasty of Rebbes, spiritual leaders, that began with the founding of the Chabad Chassidic movement in Belarus by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812). Rabbi Schneur Zalman, whose lineage traces back to King David, was the youngest student of Rabbi Dovber of Mezeritch (d. 1772), who in turn was the student and successor of Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer (1698-1760), known as the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Chasidism in 1734.

The contribution of Chabad Chassidus can be appreciated by placing its advent in historical context. The primary challenge facing the Jewish people following the Emancipation in the 18th century was: How to benefit from their newfound freedoms while not compromising the integrity of millennia-old Jewish tradition. Indeed, modern assimilation was birthed as a result of a people unprepared for the challenges of accelerated emancipation. The challenge would take on different forms in the subsequent years – the battle between religion and science, between church and state and between faith and reason. Some chose insulation to protect from these progressive forces; others compartmentalization, and yet others assimilation.

Rabbi Schneur Zalman, and the six successive generations of Chabad Rebbes, developed an eloquent and comprehensive system to bridge the schism between the material and the spiritual - offering a dynamic blueprint for Jewish life today, one that makes the spiritual journey personally relevant to contemporary times.

Drawing from the vast corpus of mystical and Talmudic teachings, Chabad (an acronym for Chochma, Binah, Daat, the three defining intellectual faculties, conception, understanding, knowledge) teaches that within all of matter lies potent spiritual enegy. Each of us is charged with the mission of discovering the Divine "sparks" allocated to us in our respective corner of the world and sphere of influence.

We relieve the tension between matter and spirit by spiritualizing the material, releasing the Divine energy embedded in every person, object and experience. Redemption is the natural culmination of this process. Recognizing the Divine soul in each person naturally leads to a loving attitude toward every individual, regardless of background or persuasion.

If Kabbalah manifests the Divine in the human then Chabad Chassidism transforms the human into the Divine. This interface between God and Man allows us to enter the emancipated world of the West without compromising timeless values. On the contrary: it begets the opportunity to integrate both freedoms, material and spiritual, by refining and spiritualizing material secularism, turning the world into an intimate home for the Divine. Chabad offers man the tools to perceive and reveal the Divine in every aspect of life: to integrate personal independence with the highest moral standards of Torah, to blend fiery passion with profound intellect.

The ultimate litmus test for the success of any movement or philosophy is its future - does it inspire passion and commitment in its youth? Does it have the power to perpetuate into future generations?

Since its inception, some 250 years ago, Chabad has spawned generations of adherents, men and women from all walks of life. Today, Chabad is a vibrant force in Judaism: Infused with a profound sense of mission, tens of thousands of young revolutionaries can be found all across the globe, directing Chabad houses, schools, synagogues and community centers - perpetuating Jewish life and igniting souls.

What lies behind this power is a profound philosophy that plumbs the depths of Talmud and Kabbalah and integrates it into a systematic lifestyle, joining ritual and spiritual in a seamless union, resting on the underpinnings of the cardinal mitzvah in the Torah: Love thy neighbor as thyself.

The intimate appreciation of each soul's dignity - regardless of background, education, or Jewish experience - drives the Chabad individual, welcoming all with an unmatched warmth and non-judgmentalism. Eternal and humble respect for the mysterious journey of every unique soul, and the responsibility to do everything possible to actualize that soul's potential, lies at the heart of a Chabad Chassid's commitment: to not just warm yourself in this cold universe but to warm all those around you.

Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, unaffiliated... is not the way a Chabadnik looks at a Jew. A Jew is a Divine soul, period. And "who can know their [every soul's] greatness and excellence of in their root and source in the living God...all Jews are called real brothers" (Tanya chapter 32).

What does the future hold to a Chabad Chassid? The Chassid is driven by the absolute belief that we now stand at the threshold of Redemption - when all the Divine "sparks" will be actualized. We therefore are compelled to do everything possible to finish our work of refining and transforming the material universe into a Divine home; to be "a light unto nations" and reveal the Godly "spark" in every human being and in every part of existence. Then, our accumulative effort, coupled with the hard work of generations past, will finally erupt into a global surge of goodness and spirituality, bringing on the age of redemption, the messianic age, when the world will be filled with Divine knowledge as the waters cover the sea.

Read the original article on the Meaningful Life Center website 

Our annual Dovrei Ivrit Chanukah party,  this year held on the 7th night, was also a lovely event at the Chabad shul, enjoyed by 25 Israelis and ivrit speakers from across South London.  Ilan Algom lit the chanukia, and everyone  enjoyed falafel, sushi,  and of course the traditional livivot and sufganiyot....  

Conducted entirely in ivrit of course, our excellent guest speaker Rabbi Reuveni Garbarchik enlightened everyone with inspiring stories and chassidic insights into the meaning of Chanukah and it's relevance to us as Jews today....there was a special atmosphere as  the candles burned low, with guests staying on just to relax, chat, and just enjoy....
 

With mild weather on our side this year, a super turnout was had at our annual Giant Menorah Party at Tibbet's Corner roundabout!  Everyone enjoyed our hallmark soup, latkes, and delicious doughnuts, whilst the kids had a great time climbing up to the menorah!

Lighting up the night with our menorah glow-in-the-dark necklaces,  the tunes of maoz tzur and other Chanukah favourites played by Shir Chodosh got feet moving....and as a grand finale, our entertainer marvelled  the crowd with his juggling and fire eating!
 
Yet another great Chanukah party from Chabad of Wimbledon!

See the complete collection of photos in our Facebook photo gallery 

With a full house of mums and kids, including some M 'n T "graduates" :) we had a marvelous Chanukah party last Thursday!  Nitzan lit the Chanukah candles, we sang loads of Chanukah songs, and ate delicious latkes and donuts! Well done to  Maayan, who won the prize in the "pin the flame on the menorah" game, and to Liam for winning a musical dreidel, in "pass the parcel"!
 
But in truth, all the children were winners, as they came home with a large dreidel full of sweets, plus chanukah biscuits which they made all by themselves!!
 
It was a great finale to the autumn term of Mums n Tots, and we look forward to seeing everyone on January 12th, when we resume!!
 
Wishing everyone a wonderful Chanukah and holiday!!

See the complete collection of photos in our Facebook photo gallery 

After four years of devoted work for our Mums n Tots group,  a group of mums got together this past Thursday morning to say goodbye and thank you to Carra Kane.  Carra had been helping manage the group together with Sarah, sending emails and texts, keeping the database updated, buying toys and arts and crafts, etc.  Now that Jadyn and Devin have joined full time school and nursery, Carra is sadly now leaving the group....
 
With gifts, flowers, a poem, a special cake, etc. we all expressed our sincere appreciation to Carra for helping to make the Mums n Tots group the success that it is today!!!
 
We wish Carra much success with her new endeavours,  specifically with her new jewellery business and all good wishes to her, David and the family for the future.
 
THANK YOU CARRA!!!

With beautifully clear skies above, and even some sunshine peeking through,  the crowd this year that came to our annual succa barbeque surpassed all our expectations!!  Approximately 150 people came to enjoy burgers, hot dogs, (pareve) ice cream, and sushi...  and, great music! 

Kids enjoyed jumping on the bouncy castle, and hours later, when the place was still packed, it was obvious that everyone was just having a great time!!!  Everyone also had the opportunity to make a blessing on the lulav and etrog.
 
A special treat this year was that our succa party was joined with Kim Wellard's Bat Mitzvah!!  Kim spoke beautifully at her synagogue presentation, and was presented with a magen david necklace and a beautiful silver Shabbat candleholder as a gift from the Chabad Cheder -- after which, all the guests joined us at the succa festivities.

A huge MAZELTOV to David and Ayelet, Oran and Neil, and of course to Kim, for this special occasion!

The amazing story of how Jerusalem Shlucha Chana Canterman befriended Aviva Shalit and the 20 year old dollar from the Rebbe that resulted in recent blessings.

Aviva Shalit, mother of the now released Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, placed a phone call Monday to Chana Canterman, a Chabad Shlucha in Jerusalem, to update on her son's health.

"He's fine! He's fine!" Mrs. Shalit joyfully said.

The connection between the two who live in the same country but spend time in different spheres began when the Shalit family began campaigning for their son outside the prime minister's residence.

Sgt. Gilad Shalit was captured by Hamas terrorists on 25 June 2006 in a cross-border raid via underground tunnels near the border with Gaza.

Chana and her husband Rabbi Eli Canterman, the Shluchim in the Talbiyeh neighborhood in Israel's capital, were one of the volunteers who provided meals for the Shalits in their protest tent.

The Cantermans had the Sunday shift and have since become close friends with the Shalit family, visiting them often and praying together for Gilad's release from Hamas captivity.

Chana would spend hours shopping and cooking beautiful meals for the family, a friend of the Cantermans said.

"Slowly they had to bring larger amounts of food each week because everyone would visit on Sunday because they loved her cooking," the friend said.

CLOSE BOND

Naturally, they became close friends with Aviva and her husband Noam Shalit, providing not only food but emotional and psychological support during this time.

"When I flew in to New York for the annual Kinus Hashluchos convention on 24 Shvat, I asked Aviva what I could bring her back from the U.S.," recalled Mrs. Canterman in an interview with COLlive.com.

"She told me, 'All I want is Gilad. I don't need presents.' All she thought about was her son."

The Cantermans also made sure to come by for holidays, in addition to the Sunday visit. For Purim, they organized a festive meal for family and guests, and brought them Matzah on Pesach. During Lag BaOmer day, children came to the tent to say the 12 pesukim (holy passages).

On April 17th, the day before last Pesach, Chana Canterman brought a special gift to Aviva Shalit along with her meal: a dollar bill that she had received from the Lubavitcher Rebbe that was to be given to a worthy charity.

"Take this dollar," said Chana, "and may it be a Segulah (merit) that Gilad be released this year."

Aviva accepted the dollar gratefully and carried it with her wherever she went.

"It was a very depressing period for the family," Canterman recalls. "We wanted to give them an opening of hope and strength to continue waiting for the healthy return of their son."

SUDDEN PROGRESS

On the same day the Shalits received the dollar, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Shalits he replaced the official mediator from Chagai Hadas to David Medan.

Miraculously, Medan began to receive messages from the Hamas with signs of Gilad Shalit being alive and in stable condition.

On Rosh Hashana, Rabbi Canterman came by to blow shofar for them. A week later, they heard that Gilad was going to be released on Tishrei 20 - on Chol Hamoed Sukkos.

The next day, Mrs. Canterman texted Aviva Shalit asking her if she can check the date written on the dollar from the Rebbe (Chabad chassidim often write on the bill when it was received).

Mrs. Shalit excitedly replied that the date on the dollar that Canterman received over 20 years before from the Rebbe, was Tuesday, 20 Tishrei, the date that Gilad Shalit was released by the terrorists.

And the year that dollar was given? 5751 - the Hebrew year chassidim spelled out as "the year we will see wonders."

Cheder @ Chabad Wimbledon started off with blast!  Rabbi Yossi Simon, of Tzivos Hashem Craft Workshops, opened our new term with the blow of a shofar - and then proceeded to explain, with a hands on, interactive demonstration, exactly how a shofar is made. 
 
Starting with a raw ram's horn, the children were taken through the process of how it is transformed into an authentic, kosher shofar. We saw horns from all sorts of animals, and after drilling, sanding, and varnishing, each child went home with their very own shofar.  A super time  was had by all,  in a most creative and original way to prepare for Rosh Hashana!
 
To view the kids (and parents!) having a great time, check out the photos on our Facebook page...
 

DAY 5….. is gonna be a super day!!! Well, it hasn’t happened yet, ‘cos wer’re writing this maganizzy on Thursday night, but us counsellors know what’s on the schedule!!  Friday is always and EXCITING DAY!! There’s CHALLA BAKING , a SHABBOS PARTY,  making HAVDALLAH SETS  for arts and crafts,  and the  SIX DAYS OF CREATION FUN ACTIVITY!!!!

Of  course, we can’t forget to mention PRIZE GIVING!!! Each one of you is getting a prize for your sticker charts,  and a certificate!!

But we just want to say…...all of you were SUPERDUPERAMAZINGBRILLIANTFUNANDWONDERFUL  CGI CAMPERS!!!!!!!!!

THANKS FOR MAKING CAMP GAN IZZY 5771/2011 THE BEST CAMP EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Photos on Facebook 

Click here to download the Camp Gan Israel Magazine - "Maganizzy"

Day 4 at camp Gan Izzy was loads of FUNNNNNNNNNN!!! This time, we went on an entire day trip to BOCKETTS FARM PARK!!!!!

Now, waking up on Thursday morning,  you might have thought that  Rabbi Dubov  and the counsellors would be getting a little worried, or more than a little worried, because it was pouring BUCKETS of rain, never mind BOCKETTS!!!  But of course, there was nothing to fear, because everything always works out for the BEST in the BEST CAMP IN THE WORLD!!!

So, off we went, and when we arrived, it started clearing up….and the amazing this was, that because it was so wet, lots of people didn’t come, so it was much less croweded!! First we went to the farm and saw all the animals….cows, llamas, sheep,  guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens, and goats!!  We had fun working out which animals  were kosher!!  If  our cousellors ever thought that we were a noisy bunch, they definitely changed their minds when they heard the sheep baa-ing!!  Wow, what a chorus!!

Now, not to forget that it was AHAVAT  YISROEL DAY, which means we need to LOVE each other soooooooooooooo much :) :)  we all got heart stickers, which we stuck to each other throughout the day!!

Then we went on the TRACTOR RIDE!! Really bumpy, but loads of fun!!  Then we had our sandwiches and of course sang the Birchat Hamazon loud and clear,  and went straight to the fantastic PLAY AREA!! Monkey slides, swings, the  giant balloon...but our absolute FAVOURITE was the TRAMPOLINE!!!! Wow, look at those kids jump!! And we sang our THEME  SONG up up up…..as we were jumping!!!!

Then, we went to the INDOOR SLIDES, which were super duper!!

WHAT A GRRRRRRREAT DAY OUT!!!

Photos on Facebook  

DAY THREE at Camp Gan Izzy was just phenomenal!!!!!!!!!
 
First of all, our counsellors were MIGHTY PROUD of us because we all remembered to say "I LOVE CAMP GAN IZZY" when they called us last night!!  We all got points on our chart this morning!!!  yippeee!!!  :D
 
We had lineup, and then Rabbi Dubov announced todays SPEAK JEWISH phrase....AD MATEI !!!  Which means, until when?  Until when do we have to be in galut, WE WANT MASHIACH NOW!!!
 
How appropriate for this week, the week before Tisha B'Av,  when we miss the Holy Temple and can't wait for the Third Temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem!!
 
Now, folks, our amazing reputation for being THE MOST AMAZING FANTASTIC AWESOME DAY CAMP has definately been growing  in only two days at camp, because this morning we welcomed THREE NEW CAMPERS!!!  Welcome, Abi,  Sara and Jessica!!!
 
We also have not yet introduced to you our incredible TUCK SHOP, run by Yitzchok Dubov, which contains the most delicious kosher snacks,  like chocolates, laffy taffys, flavoured crisps, liquorice, bisslis and tons more!!!!  For some of us it's the highlight of our day!! :)  (yitzchok, don't eat on the job now ;)
 
So, we all stocked up on tuck, and took a hike over to OLD DEER PARK in Richmond....  where we had our very own.... OLYMPIC SPORTS COMPETITION!!!!!!
 
Ok, all teams were rarin' to go, and we just gave it our best at the

• egg n spoon race!!!  & the
• orange race!!!   & the
• bin bag race!!!  & the
• running race!!!   & the
• balloonarama!!!!!  & the
• rolling on the grass race!!!!  & last but not least....the
• wheelbarrow race!!!!

it was just fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!  well done to all the teams!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
after drinks and snacks our tired but happy athletes trudged back to camp...  :(
 
Rabbi Dubov invigorated us with some ice pops and back to business!!!!!
 
Now, get this.....we then sat down for an arts and crafts activity....and if we thought our cousellors were geniuses, we aint seen nothin' yet!!  We  made MEZUZA CASES.....out of TEST TUBES!!!!! Yes, you read correctly!!!!  test tubes they were!!!  (But not anymore!!!) After a facelift with a bit of femo clay, we transformed them to gorgeous  mezuza cases to put on our door posts at home!!!  Some of us even asked for the real mezuza to go inside, and Rabbi Dubov was happy to oblige!!
 
(if anyone still would like a REAL LIVE MEZUZA SCROLL  to go in the case, just call Rabbi Dubov on 07956 839 154!!!  He might just even come to your house and put it up for you, if you smile at him nicely!! :)
 
Now, after such an incredibly busy and amazing morning, we were mega-HUNGRY!!!!  But Rabbi Dubov didn't disappoint us.....we sat down to a delicious lunch of.....you guessed it.....PASTA!!!!  ;) ;)
 
Ok, hold on to your seatbelts everybody who's reading this, because if you thought the morning was supercalifragalisticexpialidoshes, wait till you hear what we did this AFTERNOON!!
 
We made ICE CREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!  WITH NO FREEZER IN SIGHT!!!!  Now, how did we pull that one off???????????  well, with all the salt and the ice cubes, and adding plenty of milk and flavouring....we all shook up our plastic bags....shake shake shake... and PRESTO!!!  out came ice cream!!!! We all enjoyed our delicious ice cream, (some a little saltier than others......!!!!! ;) ;)
 
one second....hey....where's my counsellor????? hey, where's yours????? where've they gone?????  Shaina, Sarale and Mushky D and Mushky N, where arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre youuuuuuuuuuuuuu??????
 
Ah....welcome to the PASSPORT GAME!!!!!!!!!!!  We had to find the hiding cousellors,  do their activity, and get our passport stamped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  so we began the search, and lo and behold, we all found ourselves doing  the TEFILLIN WRAP, we KISSED THE MEZUZAH, LIT the SHABBAT CANDLES, SEPARATED MEAT AND MILK, AND PUT CHARITY IN THE TZEDAKA BOX!!!
 
Well done everyone, you all got through passport control with all your stamps!!!!
 
                                                                                      `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
 
 
Now if you think we squeezed enough into one day, think again......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Because our amazing cousellors pulled out another  great arts n crafts for us!!!  This time, we decorated our own TZEDAKA (CHARITY) BOXES!!!  Let's remember to put in our pennies and coins, and do a mitzvah today!!!
 
Whew!  That was one PHENOMENAL DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We weren't bored for a second!!
 
and those of us who were lucky enough to go home in Rabbi Dubov's van, will remember how the van ROCKED when we sang all those songs and cheers on the way home!!! Maybe we should buy Rabbi Dubov some earplugs!!! ;)
 
okeedokee......gotta go home to get some rest so that we can come back TOMORROW fully charged up for another SUPERFANTASTIC DAY AT CAMP GAN IZZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DAY TWO at Gan Izzy was even better than yesterday, if you can believe it!!!
 
after our usual lineup with lots of songs and cheers,  the THEME for DAY TWO was announced -- the phrase, "MAZELTOV"!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
so.....everything today had to do with mazeltovs!!! Birthdays, bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings and other happy occasions!!!
 
But first, Rabbi Dubov was going to treat us to an outing!!!!!! Yippeee!!!!!!! But where????
 
Aha....there was a catch -- to find out where we were going, we had to eat through an ENTIRE BIN BAG FULL OF POPCORN, down to the last one,  to find the individual letters spelling the name of the place!!! So, heads buried in popcorn, we finally came out with the words,
 
"SYON PARK SNAKES AND LADDERS"!!!!!!!!!! Whoa-hey, FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
So, off we went in Rabbi Dubov's handy van, singing camp cheers so loud it's a wonder the van didn't take off and fly!!! Syon Park, here comes camp CAMP GAN IZZY!!!!!
 
We had an absolute blast!! On the slides, in the ball pools, on the merry go rounds and in the playground!!! And not only that, our ever-so-creative counsellors, who don't rest for a split second, had us play the mazeltov sticker game - whilst we were playing!!!  So much FUN!!!!!!!!!
 
Now, back at camp we cooled off with some freezing ice pops, followed by another Rabbi Dubov luncheon special, pasta and cheese - YUM!!!
 
Back to our MAZELTOV theme, we had a virtual BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!!
 
*We decorated CUP CAKES, 
 
*created and designed our very own mazeltov GIFT BAGS,
 
*played the WHAT-DO-YOU-DO-ON-YOUR-JEWISH-BIRTHDAY GAME
 
*played the CHOCOLATE GAME
 
*had an amazing BEAN HUNT,
 
*and the grand finale....a CHINESE AUCTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
But, in truth, you can take a camper out of Gan Izzy, but you can't take Gan Izzy out of a camper!!! Because when we went home,  it was TELEPHONE TUESDAY!!!!!!
 
Between 6:00 and 7:00pm, whoever called our home, we answered the phone saying, "I LOVE CAMP GAN ISRAEL"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
 
What a grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat day!!!!!  Can't wait till tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
:)  :)  :)

 Photos in our Photo Album on Facebook 

CAMP GAN IZZY 5771 HAS STARTED WITH A BANG!!!
 
On  DAY ONE, we all arrived to Richmond Synagogue all geared up for an amazing week!  and we weren't disappointed!
 
Rabbi Dubov welcomed everyone and sang our camp "alma mater" Hashem is here, Hashem is there, Hashem is truely everywhere!!!
 
After which, he introduced the camp theme:  "SPEAK JEWISH"!!
 
Today, day one, was "BARUCH HASHEM" DAY!!   We learned about thanking Hashem for whatever we have!!!
 
First, we learned about the various blessings over different foods with a fun game!
 
Then we had an amazing PUZZLE HUNT outside to find out our bunk names..... 
 
MITZVAH  MICROPHONES and TALKING TORAHS!!! Wha - hey!!!
 
We were also given special sticker charts and points for good behaviour!!!  We can't wait to get LOADS OF PRIZES!!!
 
We sang the Modeh Ani song,  and learned about washing our hands in the morning, and then we decorated our very own WASHING CUPS AND BOWLS!!!
 
After an absolutely scrumptious LUNCH, Rabbi Dubov treated us to one of his amazing and enthralling STORIES!!!!
 
but the absolute highlight of the day, hands down, was the supercalafragalisticultra- incredible
 
BRACHAS CARNIVAL!!!!!!!!!!! Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
We didn't know what to do first!!!! We had so many things to choose from!!!

• pickle race - for ha-adama
• bob the apple - for ha-etz
• find the hidden sweets in the flour - shehakol
• banana blindfold - ha-adama
• grapejuice making - hagafen
• drinking race - shehakol
• making lassos, cheerios, and pretzel necklaces - mezonot!!

 Just to make sure we didn't have a single moment to get bored, our amazing counsellors organized BRACHOS BINGO!!!!   Wow, that was exciting!!!
 
We then made Boruch Hashem BADGES!!!  We wore them home proudly!!!
 
Finally, we had more games and a camp Gan Izzy mirror arts n crafts!!!
 
How we managed to pack so much in, in just won day is incredible!!! One thing's for sure, WE CAN'T WAIT FOR TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! camp GAN ISRAEL,  here we come.......................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Photos in our Photo Album on Facebook 

Kids, parents, grandparents, siblings, staff and friends all packed into the Chabad shul this past Sunday morning for a great CHEDER PRIZEGIVING!!!
 
After a full year of hard work and fun, the children recived their well deserved aleph champ medallions, certificates, and prizes.   We were also treated to a fantastic video, produced by our dedicated staff,  of our cheder activities throughout the year!!  Have a look here to see how much the kids learned and enjoyed themselves!  Followed by our annual photo, and of course, beautiful and delicious refreshments.
 
We would like to thank our dedicated staff:  Rabbi Dubov,  Mrs. Roizy (Itzinger) Ganz, Chaya M. Teifenbrun, Mushky Raskin, Alegra Green, Mushky Dubov and Shaina Dubov for their incredible dedication and devotion.  They brought out a love for Judaism in their pupils. As one mum put it, "my daughter can't wait for Sunday mornings -- she just loves cheder!!"
 
We are now accepting applications for the coming year.  Please email cheder@chabadwimbledon for more information and an application form

Cheder @ Chabad Wimbledon - Judaism with a Smile!!

 Click here for the photo galley
 

South London's sole mikveh has reopened after a four-month refurbishment.

The £27,000 refit of the Wimbledon mikveh incorporates a new bathroom suite and tiles.

Opened 20 years ago, it is used by south London residents, women from Brighton and overseas visitors.

It is currently run by Sarah Dubov, who co-directs Wimbledon Chabad with her husband Rabbi Nissan Dubov.

"We wanted to make the mitzvah of mikvah as pleasant and enjoyable as possible," she said.

"It has now been refurbished to a very high, luxurious standard and the response has been very positive."

Funds have come from private donations but there is still a £5,000 shortfall.

Click here to read this article on theJC.com