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
Supporting communities in Ukraine after Russian attacks
The Ark Synagogue has been in close touch with its twin congregations of Lviv and Lutsk, in Ukraine, following the Russian attacks on the cities this week. Three people were killed in Lutsk and, on Wednesday, a mother and her three children were among seven people who died during a … Read More
Progressive Judaism Annual Memorial Services 2024
Progressive Judaism’s 2024 Annual Memorial Services will take place on the following dates: Edgwarebury Cemetery 11am on Sunday 22 September Western Cemetery, Cheshunt 2.30pm on Sunday 22 September Golders Green Crematorium 2.30pm on Sunday 22 September JJBS Woodland Cemetery, Cheshunt Midday on Sunday 8 September Pound Lane Cemetery, Willesden 11am … Read More
Sermon on the thinking of Rabbi John Rayner and the General Election
By Rabbi Aaron Goldstein (The Ark Synagogue) This week, Liberal Jews celebrate the life of the foremost influential Liberal Rabbi of his generation, Rabbi John Rayner (z”l). Born in Berlin in 1924, he came to England in 1939 on one of the Kindertransports. He is most well- known or his … Read More
The Ark celebrates 60th anniversary with packed civic service
A packed sanctuary of local dignitaries, MPs, clergy from other faiths and leaders and members from across Progressive Judaism helped The Ark Synagogue mark its 60th anniversary in style. A special Shabbat celebrated the history and future of the congregation, which began in May 1964 when 30 families gathered for … Read More