Jewish Tribune 22 January

26
JT 22 January 2015
EVENT OF THE WEEK
Many happy returns for
Shuvu’s show of strength
PHOTOS SHULI SMUS
From left to right: Rabbi Shimi Elboim, Rabbi Yaakov Bleich, Dayan Yonason Abraham, Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu, Dayan
Menachem Gelley, Rabbi Shalom Klien, Rabbi Yehuda Butterman, Rabbi Alan Garber, Rabbi Ilan Halberstadt
T
Mr David Blachman welcomes guests to
Shuvu Dinner 2015
Rabbi Yaakov Bleich
HE incredible achievements of the Israeli school network
Shuvu were showcased at the first Gala Fundraising
Dinner in Central London last Sunday. The more than
350 guests present at the British Friends of Shuvu event
were augmented by participants from Denmark, the US and
Israel.
The theme for the evening, generously hosted by Mr and Mrs
Philip Goldberg together with Mr and Mrs Nechemia Sheinfeld,
was ‘Turning Dreams into Reality’.
Rabbi Yaakov Dov Bleich, Chief Rabbi of Kiev and Ukraine,
and Vice President of the World Jewish Congress, described
the work he has undertaken in the Ukraine since arriving there
Timoti Sannikov, Year 7 Shuvu Bat Yam
almost 30 years ago. In light of recent political events in the
pupil
region, Shuvu schools in Israel are becoming
essential in providing Jewish education for
those who are able to make aliyah.
Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu, who has been a
driving force behind British Friends of Shuvu
and whose guidance and counsel have led
Shuvu to great achievements, received the
Shuvu Leadership Award. By way of thanks,
a wing at the Shuvu School in Nazareth Illit
is now dedicated in his honour.
Dayan Yonason Abraham, a great supporter
of Shuvu, who led the UK Mission to Israel
last February with such passion and greatly
inspired all the participants, was the Guest of
Honour. He delivered a spirited plea urging
the assembled guests to regard the children Left to right: Rabbi Yaakov Bleich, Rabbi Chaim Mikael Guttermann,
Rabbi Yehuda Butterman
in the Shuvu schools as their own and
to take responsibility for ensuring the
schools’ expansion, thereby changing
the face of Israel. Dayan Abraham
received a certificate of sponsorship
of a high school student in recognition
of his dedication to Shuvu.
Guests were entertained with
Hebrew and Yiddish songs sung by
Year 7 Shuvu Bat Yam pupil, Timoti
Sannikov, whose family are originally
from Moscow.
British Friends of Shuvu Chairman,
Mr David Blachman, said that he was
astounded by the support shown to
Shuvu and thanked the attendees for
their generous contributions.
But there is no room for complacency
as Shuvu’s network of schools and
welfare programmes are falling half a The Shuvu Leadership Award presented to Dayan Ehrentreu. Left to right:
million pounds short of their annual Mr David Blachman, Dayan Ehrentreu, Rabbi Chaim Mikael Guttermann,
budget.
Mr Aryeh Melinek, Dayan Abraham