Leaders and members of The Ark Synagogue travelled to Slovakia to take a prominent role in the consecration of Trenčín Synagogue.

Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein joined two other rabbis in carrying the Torah scrolls, and he concluded the whole ceremony with an address and by blowing the shofar.

Six members of the Ark Choir, led by Director of Music Ruth Colin, sang throughout the ceremony to great appreciation – an all-female choir singing in a once-Orthodox synagogue.

Ruth Colin, Sharon Goldstein and the all-female choir

The third rabbi, and now the rabbi of the Trenčín community, is Rabbi Misha Kapustin, who was a student rabbi at The Ark (then known as Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue) and a graduate of Leo Baeck College. Rabbi Misha is also the rabbi of a growing Liberal congregation in Bratislava and a travelling rabbi to several small communities across Slovakia.

Trenčín is about 80 miles east of Bratislava, and its synagogue is one of the dominant buildings in the town. It was built in 1913 in a Byzantine and Art Nouveau style. It was damaged during World War II, later turned into a cultural centre during communist times when the interior was painted white.

The interior has now been restored with unique, colourful designs all over the walls at a cost of over two million euros. Next year, Trenčín will be European City of Culture, and the synagogue will feature prominently in its celebrations.

Rabbi Andrew has been going to Slovakia for 30 years, helping to establish the Progressive community in Bratislava – leading services, teaching and doing conversions; and with his wife, Sharon, conducting weddings across the country.

Rabbi Misha Kapustin

Ruth said: “It was such a privilege to be able to take part in the rededication ceremony for Trenčín Synagogue and continue The Ark Synagogue’s connection with the Slovakian Jewish communities. We are thankful to Maroš Borský and Rabbi Misha Kapustin for inviting us to sing. The acoustics of the synagogue are as unique as the décor, which has been so remarkably brought back to its original joyful splendour, and it was a complete joy to share songs – traditional and more modern settings – for the ceremony. This was an event we will very much treasure and hope it will be the start of Jewish music being heard regularly again within the synagogue’s walls.”

Karen Maginn, one of the singers at the event, added: “It was an honour and a privilege to be part of the Ark Synagogue choir at the Trenčín rededication ceremony. The acoustics of the building raised the hair on our arms as we sang our first notes, and they echoed back to us. We felt the presence of our ancestors in those moments and shed tears as the scrolls were processed in.

“It was an experience I will remember all my life.”