Category: In the Press

The distinguished mechanech Rabbi Yaakov Haber, of Ramat Bet Shemesh, was guest speaker at the annual conference of the Federation of Synagogues for its Rabbonim. It took place at the Prince Regent Hallmark Hotel in Chigwell, and was organised by Director of Education, Rabbi Dovid Roberts. This year’s theme was ‘Nurturing people, families, kehillos’. In keeping with the Federation’s stated objective, to serve as a premier, frum, kehillahfocused organisation, the conference was aimed firmly at supporting the kehillah rabbonim in their avodas hakodesh

Federation Rebbetzins have been energised by a two-day trip to leafy Oxfordshire. The programme was part of ‘Sharsheres’ – a new division created to offer ongoing professional development as well as chizuk and networking opportunities to Federation Rebbetzins.

In a moving ceremony, young and old have joined together for the hanochas even hapinah of the new premises of the Federation’s Beis Gavriel- Lubavitch shul and Gan Menachem kindergarten in Hendon.

The UK Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists held its first event of 2018 at Littleton Chambers in the City of London. The event, which was chaired by Sir Michael Burton QC, focused on the topic of ‘the interface between the Beth Din and Commercial Arbitration’, and featured presentations from Dayan Yehonoson Hool of the Federation Beis Din, and Mr David Wolfson QC.

Edmonton Federation Cemetery- Rebbetzin Aviva Landau-published by the Federation of Synagogues. By Eli Kienwald. All cemeteries are hallowed places. A feeling of foreboding and a subconscious fear pervade visitors when they are made starkly aware of the finality of life, of the existence of another world that they cannot see, and of the presence of ancestors who still possess social agency. Perhaps these feelings are mediated somewhat by the realisation that our moral obligations towards the departed are what differentiates humans from the animal world. This creates a continuum between the dead and the living and establishes a bond that is one of the basic tenets of our social structure. The dead cannot bury themselves.

A group of Federation rebbetzins has undergone a training course to qualify as Mental Health First Aiders. In a first for the frum kehilla, the group spent two full days on a rigorous programme, which was interactive, thoughtprovoking and highly practical.

The annual Zayin Adar seudah of the Federation Chevra Kadisha was held this year at Edgware Yeshurun Synagogue. The seudah was attended by members of the chevra kadisha, representatives of the Federation’s shuls, dayonim, rabbonim and askonim from across the kehilla.

The annual seudah of the Federation chevrah kaddisha on 7 Adar was held this year at the Yeshurun, Edgware. The seudah was attended by members of the chevrah kaddisha, representatives of the Federation’s shuls, Dayanim, Rabbanim and askanim from across the kehillah. Despite the large crowd, there was a tremendous feeling of achdus in the room. As guest speaker Rabbi Meilech Schwartz pointed out in his address, a different selection of the chevrah is convened for each taharah, so that all the members know and feel close to each other. Similarly, their supporters from local shuls as well as of the centralised organisation feel much warmth and gratitude toward the dedicated chevrah kaddisha.

Is your oven Shabbat compliant? How about that gleaming new fridge or your hi-tech freezer? For religious Jews worried about the halachic status of their household items over the day of rest, help is now at hand. The Federation of Synagogues has produced an online guide, detailing issues to watch out for.

A CONFERENCE was held last Sunday to provide learning and chizuk to the Federation’s dedicated team of rebbetzins. The conference was held at the JLE and was extremely well attended.