Boro Park New York, New Jersey and Manchester attended a
2 - 4 day trip in Ayr Scotland for Jews of all religious standards,
everyone felt at ease and at home.
Those coming from USA for a Thanksgiving Weekend break enjoyed
a three day touring event plus Shabbos, those from London enjoyed
a two day touring event plus Shabbos and Glasgow
people arrived Friday afternoon and left on Sunday lunchtime.
All attendees from out of town enjoyed a Scottish theme dinner on Thursday
evening at the newly decorated L'Chaim's Restaurant with a piper in
attendance before checking in at the Mercure hotel in Ayr.
The entire weekend was organised by Chaim and Sora Jacobs of Lubavitch
and was to say the least 'a Phenomenal success' the Jacobs' said.
People were so happy to keep a Shabbos properly and for some it was the first time ever
that they have had such an experience. It was 25 hours of no mobile phones, no driving,
no shopping, it was just special and spiritual from candle lighting until Havdola. Hotel staff
were very helpful constantly opening the electronic doors for the guests. The prayer services
were led by Yaakov Schweibel of New York, David Clapham of Glasgow and Rabbi Chaim Jacobs
who also read from the Torah. Haftorah was read by Rabbi Dr Avi Kuperberg of New Jersey
USA. It was a true experience of Shabbos encouraged by the Lubavitch over forty years ago.
The Shabbos programme included delicious meals prepared by L'Chaim's Restaurant and organised
entirely by Sora Jacobs, very lively singing and inspiring discussion throughout the Shabbos meals,
an Ask the Rabbi and Rebetzen session with Rabbi Chaim and Sora Jacobs, lively davening, a lavish
kiddush, hot cholent, a walk along the prom on Shabbos afternoon, a Musical Melave Malke after
Shabbos entertained by famous musician Benny Weisz from Manchester and the weekend ended with a brunch.
Numerous
comments already in
from the guests have
included as below:
Dear Rabbi Chaim &
Sora,
Thank you to
you, Sora and your
staff for organising
such a wonderful
weekend which
we all enjoyed so
much. It was lovely
to see people from
many different
backgrounds
all enjoying each
other’s company and
the food was
delicious. I must
thank you for the
way in which you
catered for my
vegetarian needs.
It is obvious
that a huge amount
of planning and
effort went into
ensuring that the
programme ran as
smoothly as it did.
I do hope that you have now recovered – you must have been exhausted!
Kol hakovod.
Hilary
*****************************************************
Dear Rabbi Chaim &
Sora,
Many thanks to
yourself, Sora and
everyone else
involved in making
the event such a
success.
It was a truly
enjoyable Shabbos
experience! Please
G-d, may you be able
to run the event
again and that it
becomes a regular
feature of the
Lubavitch Scotland
calendar!
Todah Raba!
Howard
************************************************************************************
Dear Rabbi Chaim and
Sora
It was a real
pleasure to spend a
long weekend with
you and to visit
your lovely
restaurant.
The meal was
delicious and I
really enjoyed
listening to the
bagpipes!
The Shabbat we
spent at the Mercure
Hotel was indeed
memorable. We were
with good
friends and made new
friends along the
way. The Saturday
evening was lively
to say the
least, with the
addition of an
accomplished
musician on
Keyboard.
I would like
to thank you both
for a most
interesting
programme of events,
along with great
food and excellent
company.
Once again a big 'Thank You'.
Best regards
Ruth
*************************************************
Dear Rabbi
Chaim and Sora
You excelled your
self last weekend
with a stupendous
organization in
every respect.
The transport,
entertainment, the
delectable and
extravagant
food, your guests,
your staff and in
particular Pauline
were outstanding,
say
the least.
Good for you both. Chazak, Chazak, Chazak
With warm and
best wishes. Morris
**************************************************
Dear Rabbi &
Rebbetsen Sora
I would like
to thank you both
for a most enjoyable
Shabbaton in Ayr,
Scotland. I had
a wonderful time and
must say everything
was very well
organised. The
atmosphere was
relaxing and the
food was delicious.
I thoroughly enjoyed
myself in Giffnock
in your restaurant
and thank you for
accommodating my
needs with regards
to my meals, which
was very kind
of you. The entire
trip was very
pleasant especially
Shabbat! Kol Hakavod
to you and Sora.
I look very much forward to next year's Shabbaton in Scotland.
With sincere good wishes Rosie
**************************** Dear Rabbi & Rebetzin Jacobs לאי"ט 
You are the perfect host and hostess who sincerely dedicate much time and effort
and serving of our meals. Please thank them on our behalf
We had the most wonderful shabbos weekend expertly organised by Chaim and Soro Jacobs.
Every detail was meticulously planned. The food was outstanding but most of all the atmosphere
was warm and welcoming. We have made new friends without a doubt and we are already
looking forward to the next event next year PG.
Debra and David
*******************************************
All of it was delightful from Thursday evening meal at your wonderful restaurant in Glasgow thru
the whole Shabbat experience. The staff were more than helpful and accommodating, especially
Pauline, who did everything with a smile on her face.
to get along just fine. Even the weather was pretty good for late November! The logistics of
organising I am sure were challenging to say the least, but it was excellent and
I would definitely consider coming again.
Very warm, and friendly, the food was especially professional and impressive (and what is a Jewish event
if the food is NOT good?) and the Rabbi and Rebbetzen were particularly welcoming, hard-working - in the
extreme -and made a really good and enjoyable event of it - I was able to take along a group of 11 people;
the less convinced were drawn in by the whole Shabbos atmosphere, too and everyone had a really good and
interesting time. On arrival in Glasgow we went to Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery -
and saw Salvador Dali's work, among others, then to Giffnock for the first of our good meals
prepared by the Jacobs. We visited Robert Burns' Cottage and Museum (fascinating) -
armed with packed lunch, of course; and then spent a lovely Shabbos eating,
talking and singing. Well done Rabbi and Rebbetzen Jacobs. Joan
What a fabulous trip!
What an unforgettable experience!
What an uplifting and inspiring Shabbos!
Being in the "trip planning business", I can certainly appreciate all the
time and effort that was spent in planning and executing this wonderful
tour. You not only planned a beautiful and delicious Shabbos, but you
juggled the arrival and departure times for three different groups, and
coordinated transportation and tours for each group.
A special thanks for your flexibility when I asked you to switch Friday's
scheduled tour, and for making special arrangements with the Jewish Scottish
Archives and the Gartenhill Synagogue.
Sora, your breakfast/lunch bags were very appreciated, and the meals were
outstanding and plentiful!
Rabbi Jacobs, I think all participants would agree that your dream came to
fruition!!
Fondly, Shifra (alias:Sheila) & Yaakov
***************************
We could not have obtained kosher food, minyanim or Shabbos without your help. That made all the
difference and turned an "iffy" trip into an "excellent" trip.
did we know that we would also refresh our souls in such a meaningful manner.
We were able to get an action packed touring itinerary in, visiting the castles, tourist sites,
beaches, Parliament and a scotch distillery- all within a few short days. The highlight of our trip,
however, was our Shabbos experience at the Mercure hotel. Aside from the delicious , well presented
food and service, we were able to meet so many new friends and observe Shabbos properly. I will be
thinking of the people we met and retelling their stories for a long time. We now have all these new
contacts,
including Sheila, Yakov, Avigdor, Leah, Benny, Shoshi,
David, Debra, Rosie, Ruth, Morris, "Sir" Brian, Joan,
and the NWJS folks, just to name a few.
We want to wish you all the best as you continue to do Hashem's work in Scotland.
I am sure the Rebbe is proud of the two of you and your family. May we all be blessed with
continued success, good health and good tidings (Besoros Tovos.) The memories of this adventure
will
surely last a lifetime.
********************************
Shabbos we spent with you in Ayr. Although we were there 'on a job' we were completely taken
aback by what we saw and encountered as the Shabbos progressed. When we accepted the
booking and were preparing for our journey to Scotland we did not know exactly what to expect and what
the nature of the event was, but once we got there it all became clear. It was a pure outreach
gesture to one and all, out of the goodness of your hearts, in order to inspire and
bring happiness to people from all walks of life. And inspired we certainly were.
was completely different from our point of view in that we were so involved with others and were really
'part of it', and forging friendships with so many lovely people. This is something we have never experienced
before. The atmosphere, the food, the logistics and your management skills were really something to admire.
It was indeed quite hard for us to leave and say goodbye to all our new-found friends and we genuinely
wanted this amazing weekend to linger on. We are still under the spell of that Shabbos and are sure
that it will last for some time to come.We do hope to meet up with some of the participants - or 'campers'
as you call them - eventually and try to keep up the contact with them.
many years to come and hope that we meet again and share in each other's Simchos.
*********************************************