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 enthusiastic dinosaur joined the live coverage from around the world. This online Ark community included members and friends in Israel, Ukraine, America, Canada, New Mexico, India, Cyprus, Ireland and Australia.

In all, the gathering covered more than 21,000 miles and crossed numerous time zones – with participants joining from lunchtime in Cape Cod to the early hours in Perth.

Pip Jacobs, believed to have attended every one of the 250 services, said: “Five years ago, I barely knew what the word Havdalah meant. To us, this is the treat of the week. A chance to get together from everywhere with the Havdalah service and then chat about disparate subjects such as dinosaurs and backache with the odd chortle in between.

“Its original value was to offer a chat time to people otherwise isolated through Covid-19, and it has grown in popularity since then. Apart from many countries, people have tuned in from gardens, cars, trains, planes, allotments, walking down streets and buses.”

Another regular, Howard Duckworth, added: “The brilliance of the Ark has been the technology. People simply found us. When Russia invaded Ukraine, our twin communities in Ukraine joined us. We joined them for Friday night service, so they came on a Saturday night. People opted in from Ukraine, India, Israel, South America, Canada, Ireland, France, Germany, Finland, all over, and, at the 250th, Australia. We use 5pm UK time 52 weeks of the year, so wherever you are in the world, Google 5pm UK time, and we are there. One Rabbi from California often pops in just to say hi and jokes about doing Havdalah before the morning service.”

A heartfelt thank you was extended to everyone who joined the celebration, with special recognition was given to the Ark’s clergy team for their unwavering support in allowing Havdalah to continue for 250 weeks. The regular attendees were also commended for their steadfast participation and support over almost five years.

Rabbi Aaron Goldstein and Rabbi Lea Mühlstein, Senior Rabbis of The Ark, said: “This occasion is a weekly source of comfort, care and community that has sustained so many of us, not only during the pandemic but long after it ended.”