Dozens of Manchester businessmen and residents gathered in Beis Menachem to pay tribute to their “Friday Friends;” Chabad Yeshivah students who visit hundreds of homes and offices each Friday, sharing a good 
word and the opportunity to do a Mitzvah. The event marked the end of this year’s activities, and served as a farewell for the graduating students and their friends.
Rabbi Levi Cohen, director of Adult Education at L’Chaim-Chabad, shared a brief overview of the Yeshiva’s history. “Thirty years ago, the Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged Rabbi Akiva Cohen To become the Dean of a newly founded Yeshivah in Manchester,” he said. “With dozens of programs and services and partnerships with some 35 communal organizations, the Yeshiva has positively impacted the lives of thousands of individuals, covering the entire spectrum of the Manchester Jewish community.”
“I am grateful for all you do for myself and my children,” said Mr Oliver Gardner, who compared the students to the two righteous spies willing to enter the land of Israel, and deal with “the real world” and not shun it.
Rabbi Daniel Walker, leader of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, and a Yeshiva graduate, stated that this was the fastest he had ever agreed to a speaking engagement. “My family and I owe so much to the Yeshiva and the kindness of Rabbi Cohen.” Walker reminisced about his days as a Friday Friend, and noted the dedication required. “Their schedule is so tightly packed; even finding time to do laundry can be a challenge. Yet each week, they give of their time to knock on doors, and hopefully make a difference to someone’s life.”
An entertaining video produced by the students gave a glimpse into the preparations that go into the Friday visits. It also shared many moving comments from those they visit. Mr Michael Josephsspoke of the students who visited his home, and how they led to a trip to the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s gravesite in New York after being unable to have children. “Nine months later, my son was born on the Rebbe’s birthday,” he said.
Mr Jack Eisenberg echoed the praise of Chabad and its students, and captivated the audience with his riveting tale of surviving the Holocaust. “I knew someone wanted me to live,” he said. “I knew it wasn’t a general, Prime minister or anyone else. It was G-d.”
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Special gratitude was shown toward Mr Zalman & Risa Klyne for their care, dedication and support to each and every student, which enables them to reach out and touch so many of the Manchester Jewish community.
“What a tremendous community,” said Menachem Schonbuch a Yeshivah student from Brooklyn, New York. “The warmth and and appreciation shown to us at the event and throughout the year was truly incredible. I am grateful to the Yeshivah and the wider community for a remarkable year in every way.”
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