Thousands hear from leaders of global Judaism at Weekend of Inspiration

Thousands of pupils heard from international educators over four days of a celebration of Halacha and Israel.

After two long, hard years, Mizrachi UK held its annual Weekend of Inspiration from the 12-16 May 2022, collaborating with Shabbat UK.

Finchley United Synagogue, Stenecourt and South Hampstead Synagogue hosted
educators from Israel, America and the UK.

Among the 45 speakers were

• the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva University, Rav Hershel Schachter, journalist and radio presenter,
• Sivan Rahav Meir and counter terrorist specialist Steve Gar
• Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and
• Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely, who spoke at the Day of Inspiration on Sunday at Finchley United Synagogue.

The weekend launched on Thursday and Friday with 15 educators inspiring over 3,000 children in six Jewish schools including; JFS, Hasmonean High School and King David High School, Manchester.

A spokesperson from Hasmonean High School said: “The boys’ school was spoilt rotten with a selection of world-famous educators. The Beis had the privilege of hearing arguably the leader of the Modern Orthodox Jewish World, Rabbi Hershel Schachter Shlita, deliver a most inspirational message.

“The boys were also treated to a world leader in Torah education, Rabbi Reuven Taragin and Israeli biblical and soil specialist and educator, Rabbi Jeremy Gimpel. The girls’ school were also lucky to have guest speakers, including ex-teacher and firm favourite, Rabbi Eliyahu Silverman.

“We look forward to welcoming more educators and visionaries here at Hasmonean in the near future.”

Over Shabbat the educators were hosted by 61 communities across the country,
reaching over 10,000 people at a variety of events in synagogues, Friday night dinners, Shabbat lunches and Seudot.

Sunday saw over 650 people attend three conferences – the ‘Day of Inspiration’, in
Finchley United Synagogue, South Hampstead Synagogue and Stenecourt Synagogue.

Participants enjoyed a range of thought-provoking shiurim and keynote addresses
throughout the day. Rabbi Chaim Cohen, head of Kodesh at Yavneh, Manchester said: “It was incredible! The energy in Stenecourt was like nothing I’ve ever seen over the past 10 years! For me, the highlight was Rav Hershel Schachter.

“Each and every one of the visiting Rabbis seem to have been very well received – and the entire program was run in a professional, slick manner. What this one weekend has helped achieve is to build a community – a strong, like-minded Kehilla of Jews who care about Halacha and Israel, while wishing to engage in today’s world.

“Where people outside our Kehilla think that Modern Orthodox means being ‘less frum’, today demonstrated that Mizrachi means no such thing.

“Rather, we are a Kehilla committed to Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael.”

Rabbi Andrew Shaw, CEO of Mizrachi UK said: “This was the largest gathering of Modern Orthodox and Religious Zionist educators from Israel in the UK ever assembled. In this special time of year between Yom HaAtzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim, Mizrachi UK were delighted to allow the community to access such inspirational teachers who managed to inspire thousands of all ages across the UK over five days.

“After two years of the pandemic, it was so wonderful
to see people come together again to celebrate Shabbat, Torah and Israel.”