London

London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. It has over 8 million residents including approximately 200,000 (two hundred thousand) Jews concentrated mainly in the Stamford Hill and Golders Green neighborhoods. The city also has a large Chabad community numbering about 400 Anash families. The city has the second largest business center in the world after New York.

The main shluchim: Rabbi Bentzion Shem Tov, his son-in-law Rabbi Nachman Sudak, and Rabbi Shraga Feivish Vogel. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Raskin, son-in-law of Rabbi Sudak, is the rabbi of the Chabad community in London.

Chabad Community in the City

Rabbi Bentzion Shem Tov

Before the Holocaust, there were few Chabad chassidim in London with their own Chabad synagogue.

In 5709 (1949) - several years after the end of World War II, a number of Chabad chassidim immigrated to Britain, almost all concentrating in London, but they were still not an organized community.

When the Frierdiker Rebbe (Rebbe Rayatz) heard about this, he sent Rabbi Bentzion Shem Tov to strengthen the Jewish community in Britain, including the fresh Chabad community that was just forming in London.

Rabbi Bentzion Shem Tov achieved great success and began opening institutions and frameworks for Jewish children in Britain. Rabbi Shem Tov also opened a temporary Talmud Torah for the Chabad community in London in his private home on Cranwich Road. The cheder was managed by his wife and daughter. Rabbi Ovadia Strax was an educator in the Talmud Torah and a partner in establishing and managing the institutions during that period.

In addition to this 'cheder', Rabbi Shem Tov established additional 'cheders' in several more locations throughout London. Rabbi Bentzion Shem Tov centered Chabad's activities in Britain in the Stamford Hill neighborhood.

Beis Lubavitch

In 5719 (1959), when Chabad activities in Britain increased and the community expanded, it was decided to purchase a large building in the neighborhood. The building was purchased and named "Beis Lubavitch." Immediately after its purchase, extensive renovations began so that it could house a synagogue for the community, offices, a mikvah, and a 'cheder'.

The renovations were finally completed in 5729 (1969), and the Rebbe sent a special telegram for the dedication of the building. At the same time, buildings were purchased for the Talmud Torah and the girls' school, and an elementary school for boys was established for students from non-Chabad homes. During summer, a special camp was held for Chabad children in Britain. Several kollelim for married students were also established, along with a Nshei Ubnos Chabad organization for England, and more.

Shortly after the opening of Beis Lubavitch London, a "Lubavitch Youth Center" was opened on Singleton Street in the city. The establishment of these institutions marked the beginning of the Chabad empire in Britain.

In 5720 (1960), the shliach Rabbi Nachman Sudak, son-in-law of Rabbi Bentzion Shem Tov, arrived in London, and in 5721 (1961), the shliach Rabbi Shraga Feivish Vogel arrived. Rabbi Sudak and Rabbi Vogel established and expanded the activities of spreading Yiddishkeit and the wellsprings in the city. Rabbi Vogel manages Beis Lubavitch, which over the years has become the main Chabad center in England.

25 Chabad Houses

Today, there are over 25 Chabad houses operating throughout London. As of 5785 (2025), the Chabad community in London numbers hundreds of Anash families. The rabbi of the Chabad community in London is Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Raskin.

Beit Moshiach London

Extended article - Beit Moshiach London

Beit Moshiach London is the name of the synagogue and Chabad House under the management of Rabbi Chaim Yitzchak Cohen, located in the Stamford Hill neighborhood in London, England. 'Beit Moshiach' works with London's Charedi residents, as well as with Israeli Jews living in the city.

Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim

Yeshiva Gedolah Lubavitch - London is a branch of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim intended for students of Yeshiva Gedolah age.

The Yeshiva is headed by Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Hertz, and includes dozens of Tmimim.

Chabad Institutions in London

• Beit Lubavitch London serves as the Chabad center in London, housing a school, synagogue, and broadcasting facilities.
• Kollel Avreichim Lubavitch - a Kollel for married students in London established in memory of Rabbi Nachman Sudak, one of the leaders of Chabad in England.
• Beit Moshiach London - a Chabad House managed by Rabbi Chaim Yitzchak Cohen.
• Anash Synagogue - Heichal Menachem in the Golders Green neighborhood.
• Yeshiva Gedolah Lubavitch London.

This chapter is incomplete. Please contribute to ChabadPedia and complete it. There may be more details on the discussion page.

See Also

• Beit Lubavitch London

External Links

• Community website
• The 21st European Moshiach Congress in London
• 5 years since the passing of the Shliach to England: A series of farbrengens in London
• London Rabbis and Admorim warmly received members of the 'Or HaChassidut' Kollel, on the website