Jews around the world gather for The Ark’s 200th Zoom Havdalah

The Ark Synagogue hosted a landmark 200th Zoom Havdalah, attended by shul members and Progressive Jews from all around the world.

More than 100 people joined the online service from across the UK, Europe, Israel, the United States, South Africa and India.

Prayers were led by Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, Rabbi Lea Mühlstein and Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, alongside special guest Rabbi David Benjamin of the Ark’s twin Congregation in Israel and members of the Ark’s Ukrainian twin Congregations.

The first Zoom Havdalah was held by The Ark (previously named Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue) on the first Saturday of lockdown and has continued ever since.

Rabbi Aaron explained: “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.

“At first the timings shifted around, but to avoid confusion and make sure everyone can attend we fixed on 17:00 GMT every Saturday evening – regardless of the traditional time of Shabbat going out.

“To be able to celebrate this 200th Zoom Havdalah was very special, but even more so is the large number of people finding such meaning by joining us online each and every week.”

Two regulars – or “Havdalah menches” as Rabbi Aaron calls them – are Howard Duckworth and Paul Hyams, attending even when on holiday or on a train.

They are members of both the Ark and their local Progressive synagogues – Howard in York and Paul in Lincolnshire – having connected during the pandemic.

Paul has mapped out those others taking part in Havdalah, finding attendees span more than 16,000 miles.

For Howard, whose granddaughter was born in February 2023, it is a family affair.

He said: “I introduced her to the Havdalah group before she met most of her other family, and she crawls in to my sanctuary most Saturdays to wave and is always made welcome just as her big brother is.

“The original plan for Havdalah was a five minute chat, five minute service, and further five minutes of talking – just to run until lockdown was over.

“But everyone enjoyed it so much, joining us from the four corners of the world, it became a fixture. I can’t ever remember our Havdalah lasting just 15 minutes, but it often runs for more than two hours – and one time almost five!”

Reflecting on the online community created, Howard added: “We have sung Happy Birthday in five different languages, enjoyed Havdalah on Christmas Day, held what we believe to the world’s most spread out fancy dress party and, most importantly, made so many new friends who are there to support each other through both sadness and joy.”

Pictures (top to bottom, left to right): Paul Hyams, Howard Duckworth, David and Rene Simmonds, Mohan Aryeh and Ruth Colin celebrating The Ark Synagogue’s 200th Havdalah.