Editing London (section)

=== 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 [[The Rebbe Rayatz|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 Shtrocks  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.