A landmark event took place in London this Pesach, bringing together over 700 Jews from across the city for the third annual Seder Niggunim U’Biurim, arranged by Merkaz L’Toras HaChassidus.

The event was held on Sunday night, the second day of Chol Hamoed, at the prestigious Venue Hall in Stamford Hill. For several weeks prior, excitement had been building across the community for the upcoming evening.

“Song is the pen of the soul,” the Alter Rebbe famously said. Niggunim hold a central place in the world of Chassidus, evoking inspiration and lifting the heart in avodas Hashem.

Many Chabad niggunim have become beloved across all circles – chassidish and litvish alike – which naturally brought a huge turnout of bochurim and yungerleit from all ages and backgrounds. Many came prepared with devices to record the lesser-known niggunim being taught.

Several niggunim were carefully selected in advance for the evening. Rabbi Mendel Itzinger, Director of Igud Mesivtos V’Yeshivos Lubavitch, presented each niggun with a short history and detailed explanation, walking the crowd through its background, meaning, and the significance of each part, at times sharing the stories behind their composition.

For several hours, the crowd sat and sang, led by expert baalei menagnim Rabbis Hershel Rosenbluh, Eli and Moishe Sufrin, and Dovid Vogel, accompanied by Chassidishe singer Reb Chaim Yeshaya Vail and Reb Mordche Hochberg with a musical orchestra.

“Watching the diverse crowd immerse themselves in the depth and meaning of each niggun was truly something hard to put into words,” one of the organizers told Anash.org. “A niggun reaches where words cannot, and that was felt in the room by everyone present.”

Among the chosen niggunim were the Yechidus Niggun of Reb Shlomo Tshashinker, Niggun Klimovitch, the Alter Rebbe’s Likras Shabbos and Shema Yisroel, along with other beloved Chassidishe melodies.

The Seder Niggunim concluded with niggunim from the Rebbeim and the Daled Bavos, culminating with lively Hakofos niggunim that naturally brought the entire crowd to their feet in tremendous achdus and joy.

“Participants keep saying how they look forward to this event all year,” the organizer shared. “They all say it’s a real uplifting experience.”

Alongside the Seder Niggunim, the evening featured a grand farbrengen led by renowned mashpia Rabbi Mendel Gordon of Lubavitch Mesivta in London, who spoke about the message of Pesach for the entire year. The farbrengen lasted for many long hours, with participants thoroughly enjoying every moment.

The event was organized by Reb Getzel Itzinger in conjunction with Reb Avremel Raskin of Merkaz L’Toras HaChassidus, which arranges various events throughout the year.

It was co-sponsored by Reb Nuchi Vogel in memory of his father Reb Nosson (Bobby) Vogel, and by Reb Getzel Itzinger in memory of his father, Reb Chaim Mordechai Itzinger.

A full recording of the event will iy”H be released this Lag B’Omer.

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