The Oxford University Chabad Society inaugurated the first Tajtelbaum Jewish study hall in Oxford last night with a university wide lecture entitled ‘The Future of the Jewish People’ by former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Israel Meir Lau. Over 100 students and community enjoyed a buffet dinner and an opening ceremony at the David Slager Chabad Jewish student centre with music provided by the brand new Chabad Society Klezmer band.
The guest of honour was Mr. Mendel Tajtelbaum who dedicated the study hall in memory of his late father and Holocaust survivor, Isaac Tajtelbaum. The new study hall consists of an impressive hand carved wooden Ark (Aron), imported from Israel, matching synagogue furniture, oak study tables, luxurious study chairs and a library of Judaic works in all areas of Jewish study.
The event was opened by Rabbi Eli Brackman, director of the Oxford University Chabad Society, who thanked Mr. Tajtelbaum for his generosity and explained that the Jewish study hall is the first formal one of its kind in Oxford since medieval times when the city had a vibrant Jewish community and was a centre for Jewish learning in collaboration with the fledgling university scholars.
Emily Plotkin, student president of the Oxford University Chabad Society, thanked Mr. Tajtelbaum on behalf of the Jewish students and said that this attractive and comfortable Jewish study hall will for the first time ever enable Jewish students to use their leisure time to study Judaism on their own and in classes in a purpose built environment while pursuing their studies at Oxford.
Mr. Mendel Tajtelbaum delivered a moving talk urging the students to consider the reconstructing of the soul of Judaism in addition to the material body. He explained that his dedication to building synagogues and Jewish study halls round the world is inspired by the memory of his late father who witnessed the destruction of synagogues by the Nazis and vowed that if he survived the war he would dedicate his life to rebuilding places of Jewish learning and prayer. He also quoted his fatehr that one of the most important things in life is to 'get along with people'
Rabbi Israel Meir Lau spoke to a spell bound audience for over an hour about the problem of assimilation plaguing the United Kingdom and American Jewry, in addition to many other countries. America and the UK, he said, have not been subject to catastrophes as in Europe but nevertheless the toll on Jewish life from assimilation has been vast. This, he said, is the greatest threat facing world Jewry and the future of the Jewish people.
Rabbi Lau singled out Manchester as among the very few Jewish Diaspora communities that are not in a state of decline. Even Israel is beset by assimilation, when young Israelis travel abroad and become unanchored from Judaism.
He argued that the single cause for the decline of world Jewry and mass assimilation is lack of Jewish education and Jewish centres of study. Rabbi Lau praised Mr. Tajtelbaum and the establishment of the Tajtelbaum Jewish study hall in Oxford as leading the way to ensure the future of the Jewish people.
Dr. Michael Pinto-Duschinky, who attended the event, commented that Mr. Tajtelbaum's address 'expressed a very human and creative Jewish morality. His Father's message about the prime importance of getting on with people is something that Jewry much needs.'
Sam Glatman said 'it was an extremely inspiring experience to hear the ex Chief Rabbi of Israel speak'.
The inauguration was attended by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Robert Buckledy, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, Oxford University Fellow, Dr. Nir Vulkan, on behalf of the University of Oxford, and Mr. Adam Sterrie, vice president of the Oxford Jewish Congregation.
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