Event:
ShabbatUK at Holy Law was a truly amazing occasion. More than 1500 people crossed the shul’s threshold to attend a varied and uplifting series of events. The super Shabbos began with kugel and whisky to warm hearts and fill stomachs before a wonderful Friday night service in the main shul. Renowned chazan Yitzchak Meir flew in from the Holy Land to lead an electrifying communal Carlebach Kabbalos Shabbos service which attracted a huge crowd. Then, after davening on Shabbos morning, with Yitzchak leading Mussaf, congregants were treated to a lavish buffet lunch followed by three guest speakers who inspired them with gripping accounts of their journeys to become Jewish. Dr Shadman Zaman is from Bangladesh and became the first person from his native country to visit Israel. He spoke about how his initial interest in the state of Israel spawned his commitment to Zionism and to becoming Jewish. Keturah and Andy Hollingsworth, from Leicester, the daughter and son-in-law of a bishop, spoke about their journey to Judaism to a spellbound audience of over 300 people. There was barely time to get your breath back before Mincha in the main shul, with Holy Law honoured to be joined by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis. He then spoke at Shalosh Seudos, which was attended by over 200 people.
Evaluation from Jeffery Gilbert:
“A lot of hard work went into organising a fantastic programme and it proved to be yet another truly amazing Shabbat UK for the shul which will live long in the memory. “I must thank everyone who helped to ensure its success, including our numerous sponsors including the Chief Rabbi’s Centre for Community Excellence, having supported the event and seeking to do more and better for our communities. who contributed either financially or by providing goods and services, and our members who gave of their time to guarantee things ran smoothly.”
Participant feedback:
“The achdus was amazing and speakers were inspiring . The Chief Rabbi joining us for shalas seuda was the “icing on the cake! “ Thank you to our wonderful Chief Rabbi and his office for helping to make this so special”
“Wonderful community atmosphere, inspirational speakers, a full shul!”
“A lovely day engaged with Shabbos and the Aybishter. Having a good shabbos is not an option – it is just the way of the Aybishter’s veld.”
“I gained a greater appreciation of Judaism after listening to those who were not born into it, together with the pleasure of seeing Yidden from every category dancing together Fri night”
