Leo Baeck College ordained Rabbi Andrea Steuer Zago Kulikovsky and Dr Hannah Marije Altorf in an event attended by Progressive Jews from all over the UK, held at Finchley Reform Synagogue. Rabbi Andrea was ordained by Rabbi Professor Deborah Kahn-Harris, Principal of Leo Baeck College, with Rabbi Hannah ordained by … Read More
London vigils show support for the hostages… and each other
Progressive communities across the country have been holding a series of Havdalah vigils, services and events to stand in support of the hostages being held by Hamas and mourn those who have been murdered. In London, our synagogues recently hosted two important cross-communal moments. Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue held … Read More
Global Ark community celebrate 250 weeks of online Havdalah
In a heartwarming reminder of the power of connection and the enduring spirit of the community, the online Havdalah at the Ark Synagogue – which began at the onset of the Covid lockdown – has celebrated its 250th consecutive week. In a special celebratory Havdalah service, 70 participants and one … Read More
Ark and EHRS trip shows Israel needs us to be there
Rabbi Aaron Goldstein and Rabbi Mark Goldsmith write about a joint Progressive visit to Israel: This month, we led a combined group of Ark Synagogue and Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue (EHRS) members on a trip around Israel. We met people of diverse backgrounds – Jewish, Christian, Druze, and Muslim … Read More
The Ark’s annual baby blessing goes international
The Ark Synagogue held its annual communal baby blessing, with Rabbis Aaron Goldstein and Lea Mühlstein asking God to bless the congregation’s babies and toddlers and their families. What made this year’s ceremony even more special was the involvement of Ark member families in Yorkshire, Northern Ireland, and Tamil Nadu in … Read More
Ark members make heartwarming visit to Ukrainian communities
Members of The Ark Synagogue – led by Rabbi Aaron Goldstein – brought warmth, friendship and support on a visit to their two twinned Ukrainian Progressive Jewish communities in Lviv and Lutsk. The group met leaders and community members, as well as students from the local University Hillel. Rabbi Aaron … Read More
Kallah retreat gives clergy a chance to renew and re-energise
The rabbis and cantors of Liberal Judaism held their annual Kallah retreat, using it as an opportunity to learn and pray together, and especially to take restorative time. Led by Rabbi Sandra Kviat (Crouch End Chavurah) and Rabbi Gili Zidkiyahu (Nottingham Liberal Synagogue), the colleagues used the retreat to support … Read More