Manchester Pays Tribute to 60 Years of Rabbi Jaffe’s Leadership

Over 200 people gathered last week at the Lubavitch House in Manchester for an impressive dinner marking 60 years of Rabbi Avrohom Jaffe as Rabbi of Kahal Chasidim and head of Lubavitch Manchester.

Over 200 people gathered last week at the Lubavitch House, located at 62 Singleton Road, Manchester for an impressive dinner marking 60 years of Rabbi Avrohom Jaffe as Rabbi of Kahal Chasidim and head of Lubavitch Manchester. It was also 60 years of Lubavitch Manchester in their current location at 62 Singleton Road. The evening was filled with heartfelt tributes, reflection, and gratitude for his remarkable leadership and dedication.

Rabbi Phaivish Pink, the evenings Chairman, a longtime friend and treasurer of Lubavitch Manchester, enlightened the crowd with words of appreciation and warmth. A special telegram sent by the Rebbe 60 years ago to Reb Zalmon Jaffe on the occasion of moving to the new premises was read out by the Mashpia of Lubavitch Manchester, Rabbi Moshe Wolberg, Tehillim was recited for the safety of Eretz Yisrael by Dayan L.Y. Raskin, Rabbi of the Lubavitch Community in London, and Rabbi Rachamim Goodman.

Rabbi Shmuli Lent, the Rabbi and Shliach of Young Lubavitch—a thriving minyan of younger families – shared how the minyan,which opened just over a decade ago, under the guidance of Rabbi Jaffe, was born from the recognition of a need for fresh, new energy within the community.

Rabbi Lipa Brennan, who now lives in New York but grew up in Manchester shared with the audience how his father a”h started davening in Kahal Chassidim Lubavitch nearly 70 years ago because it was such a friendly shul and now his grandchildren and great grandchildren are Shluchim around the world. Rabbi Brennan expressed the success of Lubavitch Manchester to the Ahavas Yisroel to each individual they come in contact with, a key tenant of the Rebbes teachings and the philosophy of Chabad. He also paid tribute to the recent passing of Rebbetzin Jaffe a”h, a full partner with her husband in all the Lubavitch activities over the years.

The keynote speaker of the evening, Rabbi Shmuel Lew, one of the head shluchim of Lubavitch in the UK and a brother-in-law of Rabbi Jaffe, reminisced about both the old and new Lubavitch buildings, celebrating the tremendous success Rabbi Jaffe and his Rebbetzin achieved over the past 60 years. He also reflected on the loss of Rebbetzin Jaffe, who passed away not long ago, highlighting her integral role in their shared journey.    

The final speech of the evening was delivered by Rabbi Jaffe himself, where he expressed deep gratitude to those who organized the event and paid moving tribute to his beloved Rebbetzin, Susan Jaffe. He spoke emotionally about her being his steadfast support for the past six decades and assured everyone that she was undoubtedly looking down with pride, celebrating with them in spirit.

The initiators of this unique event were Mr. and Mrs. Max and Leah Cohen and the organizer was Mrs. Rebecca Cohen.

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A brief History of Chabad Lubavitch in Manchester England

The Lubavitch community in Manchester, England has deep and enduring roots. A key landmark of this early period was the “Hayshop Shul,” situated at 78 Cheetham Hill Road. This modest synagogue, located above a hay shop, was accessed by a rickety staircase. Despite its humble structure, it was able to accommodate approximately one hundred men, with a gallery for around fifty women. As the 19th century drew to a close and the 20th century began, the community expanded, with many members arriving from Dvinsk. The Kehilla was tightly-knit. The previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, in keeping with his emphasis on spreading Chassidus, encouraged regular Shiurim, which were led by respected teachers such as Rabbi Yitzchok Dubov, Rabbi Shmuel Rein, Rabbi Nemtzov, and Rabbi Rivkin.

 Key Moments and Figures

In July 1923, the Kahal Chassidim, applied to the British Home Office for permission for Rabbi Samuel Rein, a Latvian residing in Berlin, to join them as their Baal Koreh. Unfortunately, this application was denied. However, later that year, the Limerick Hebrew Congregation in Ireland, invited Rabbi Rein, then in Moscow, to serve as their minister and Hebrew teacher. During a stopover in Manchester en route to Limerick, Mrs. Rein was so taken by the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the community that she refused to move on to Limerick. Consequently, Rabbi Rein settled in Manchester, becoming the Shochet, Baal Koreh, and Chazan at Kahal Chassidim. Before World War II, Reb Itche der Masmid, a towering chosid, whom the Previous Rebbe referred to as a Benoni, spent several months in Manchester, staying with Rabbi Rein. His delivery of a Maamer in one of the largest Shuls in Manchester left a deep impression on those who heard him. Rabbi Dubov arrived in Manchester in 1928 as a Shliach of the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe. He became a central figure in the community, eventually serving as the Chazan and Baal Koreh and teaching at the Manchester Yeshiva. By 1935, Kahal Chassidim moved to Waterloo Road and continued to flourish.

 Growth and Community Development .

In 1945, Kahal Chassidim expanded its premises by purchasing the adjacent house and building a larger Shul to accommodate about 100 men and 80 women. The original Shul was converted into a hall for community events and functions. The community’s calendar was punctuated by significant celebrations, such as Yud Tes Kislev, which drew large gatherings. One notable Yud Tes Kislev farbrengen in 1952 saw over 100 attendees. As the community expanded, figures such as Rabbi Mordechai Sufrin a”h emerged as key leaders in youth engagement. Rabbi Sufrin, deeply connected to Lubavitch, played a crucial role in organising youth activities, summer camps, and establishing the Lubavitch Youth Movement in Manchester. Rabbi Sufrin’s influence extended to the wider community when he applied for a position at King David School at the Rebbe’s suggestion.

The Move to Singleton Road

In 1964, Reb Zalmon Jaffe, the Chairman of Chabad in Manchester, had the foresight to relocate the Shul to Singleton Road, a move that spurred rapid growth in Lubavitch activities. At the same time, upon the wedding of his son Rabbi Avrohom Jaffe to Susan Beanstock, Rabbi Jaffe, with the Rebbes blessings and encouragement, was appointed the Mora Deasrah of the fledgling Chabad Shul and community. Boys’ and girls’ groups met regularly. Mrs. Jaffe hosted Mesibos Shabbos groups for girls in her home, and the first Lag B’Omer parade was held in 1966, marking the start of an important tradition. This outreach work was headed by a dynamic team that included Yechiel Vogel a”h, Mordechai Sufrin a”h, Laibel Turk a”h, and yblc”t Sholom Weiss and Rabbi Jaffe. Together, they worked to spread the Rebbe’s campaigns, strengthening Jewish identity and observance amongst the community.

Lubavitch Youth Movement and Expansion of Activities

 In the 1970s, Rabbi Chaim Farro arrived in Manchester as a Shliach of the Rebbe, organising many successful programs for both adults and children, including large events like Lag B’Omer parades and Rambam Siyumim. His work helped solidify the community’s reputation as a dynamic and growing force across Manchester.

The early 1980s saw the establishment of Yeshivas Lubavitch Manchester, with Rabbi Akiva Cohen appointed as Rosh Yeshiva. Bochurim from around the world came to learn in Lubavitch House, and also participated actively in the Rebbe’s Mitzvah Campaigns, contributing to the vibrancy of the Manchester Jewish community. Through the dedication of these individuals and countless others, the legacy of Kahal Chassidim and Lubavitch Manchester continues to flourish.

Today the activities run the gambit of Chabad all over the world, including youth activities, teen programming, Day Camps, shiurim, N’shei and Bnos Chabad, and the list continues. The community remains a vibrant hub of Jewish life, deeply connected to its roots while evolving to meet the needs of future generations. The activities, initiatives, and educational efforts spearheaded by Lubavitch Mancheter have not only strengthened the local Jewish community but also extended their influence across the UK and beyond. The commitment to spreading Chassidus and upholding the teachings of the Rebbe ensures that the spirit of Lubavitch Manchester and the Rebbes vision, remains a beacon of warmth, unity, and spiritual growth, inspiring both young and old for many years to come.