WELCOME TO CHABAD SOUTHEND

We are delighted to welcome you to our new website for Chabad Southend, a branch of Chabad North East London & Essex.

Now in our third year, we have been working in partnership with the Southend & Westcliff Synagogue Community and its leadership, to provide additional educational opportunities from children through adults.

We currently provide:

– Cheder classes each Monday for children aged Year 1 – through to Bar / Bat Mitzvah, with exciting, challenging and fun interactive classes. Innovative reading learning programme tailor made to each child’s ability and level of growth and development. Jewish knowledge taught by way of interactive arts and crafts projects, hands on experiences, all led by Mrs Devorah Sufrin and our Shluchos based in Gants Hill.

– JWC Jewish Women’s Circle, monthly discussion and activity groups on Jewish topics with social interaction led by Mrs Devorah Sufrin

– Men’s monthly discussion groups in an interactive manner on varying Jewish topics relevant to today’s challenges in the Jewish world led by Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin MBE

The monthly discussion groups are hosted in private homes. If you would like to host a meeting or find out more please contact us.

Chabad N E London & Essex currently has three Cheder opportunities for your children each week accross Essex.

Sunday @ Chabad Gants Hill, Monday @ Westcliff & Southend Synagogue, Finchley Road, Southend. Wednesday @ Chabad Buckhurst Hill.

We are continuously looking at ways of enhancing Chabad’s educational & social services for the Community and look forward to sharing more with you as time goes on.

Thought for the week from Rabbi A. M. Sufrin MBE

BESHALACH – when he sent…..

Following the ten plagues brought upon the Egyptians reported in the last two-week’s portions, in this week’s portion, we read of the Exodus in full with the drowning of the Hebrews enemy – the Egyptians in the Reed Sea.

However, the Jewish people were in a quandary. The sea was in front of them and the Egyptians behind, and the desert on either side, what were they to do?

G-d said to Moses; “speak to the Children of Israel, and let them go forth…”(14:15)

According to the Midrash, the sea had not yet split when G-d told the Jews to enter it. The people hesitated until the Prince of the Tribe of Judah, Nachshon Son of Aminadav jumped in. Only then did G-d tell Moses to raise his hand and split the sea.

Nachshon knew that G-d had instructed the Jewish People to proceed to Mt Sinai to receive the Torah. He was therefore unfazed by obstacles. If he had to jump into the sea in order to reach Mt Sinai, so be it. Thus, in his merit the sea split.

Nowadays as well, we have been informed that since we stand at the threshold of the Messianic Redemption, our sole task is to proceed to that goal. If it appears to us that obstacles remain, let us learn from Nachshon to proceed nonetheless; in this merit any perceived obstacles will disappear.

Have a meaningful Shabbat and successful week to follow.