 Our Minister
Rabbi Sufrin, a war baby, the youngest of four children, was born in
Gateshead where his late father was secretary to the local Yeshiva. His
father was actually responsible for writing many letters of invitation
to students in Europe in an effort to help them escape to this country.
One such letter is on display at the Heritage Museum in New York. The
rabbi was only a few months old when the family moved to Manchester
where his father took a similar position at the Yeshiva there. Our
rabbi spent the next 17 years in Manchester so he can hardly be blamed
for supporting the local famous football team.
He was educated at Prestwich Jewish Day School and then the Manchester
Jewish Grammar School, in both instances being a founder member of the
school, joining the very first class of their existence. He did very
well in all his GCE subjects, excelling in maths and sport. Considering
that sport is not a registered subject it was no mean feat. His main
interests are football, cricket and table tennis, but prefers to call
it Ping Pong -less snobbish! At times he has tried all 3 sports
together but has had difficulty in hitting the football with the
cricket bat over the net.
He has a strong sense of humour which is a vital part of his character
and has served him well over the years. Sadly, his mother passed away,
aged 43, just a month after his 3rd birthday. His father remarried
about 2 years later but he too passed on just 2 weeks after the rabbi's
14th birthday.
Although he was appreciative of and respectful to his stepmother who
was indeed a caring and capable person, it became most difficult for
him to stay at home once his younger of two sisters, like his other
sister and brother, married. So, whilst still only 15 he became a full
time boarder at the local Yeshiva for 2 years, followed by 9 months at
Gateshead yeshiva.
Life changed radically when he joined the Lubavitch Yeshiva in New
York. His outlook on life changed both materially and spiritually. Out
went the introverted and slow style of a provincial and sheltered life.
In place came ebullience and bustle often associated with the Yankee
cities. The Lubavitch training was not just to amass knowledge but to
impart to others each at their own level. Thus study and scholarship
were important but so was the need to train and to practice at
teaching, organising, reaching out and public speaking. All of these
experiences have served the rabbi well at his subsequent vocations.
In 1963 Rabbi Sufrin graduated from the Lubavitch Yeshiva and promptly
celebrated by marrying Zipporah. She says it was her marriage to him
that prompted him to graduate. They are blessed with a daughter Chana
who, together with her husband Rabbi Zev Katz, are in turn blessed with
4 children: twin girls sandwiched between 2 boys KAH. The family live
in Miami Beach where he is the director of Chabad on Wheels.
If you ever visit Lincoln Road ( MIAMI not ENFIELD - silly) say 'Hello'
to them and send us back a picture post card. Don't say Hi! to them as
then they won't know your British.
Just weeks after their marriage they came to London where Rabbi Sufrin
was appointed administrator to the Lubavitch Foundation. In a sense he
was doing similar work to that of his father before him but with the
additional know-how learned in the States. The Rebbetsin, who received
her education and training at the Beth Rivka schools and Beth Jacob
seminary in New York, took up a teaching post soon after. Both the
Rabbi and Rebbetsin continue these roles today.
In 1980 they moved to Southgate when the rabbi took the newly-created
part-time position of youth officer at the CNS United Synagogue at Old
Macdonalds had a Farm Avenue, a position he held with distinction for
13½ years. During that time he and his wife ran a summer day camp for 7
years starting with 40 children in the first year and having 240 by the
time they gave up to have a well deserved summer break. On 1st March
1994 he was appointed to the Highgate Synagogue (part-time) ably
supported by his rebbetsin. He was the front man doing the ministerial
duties, she the programmes person as well as hostess par excellence.
Rabbi Sufrin feels there is no need to elaborate on their activities
and achievements there - only to say that at the reception to mark the
conclusion of the 14 plus years with that community several
presentations were made. One special item was a tome of messages penned
by some 100 wellwishers in appreciation.
They look forward to serving the Enfield and Winchmore Hill community
with distinction and pray that the Almighty grant them many years of
good health and strength in mind, body and soul. May they have much
Nachas from a responsive community.
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