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Welcome to Kolot, the podcast of The Ark Synagogue, a bold, experiential and caring Progressive Jewish community in Northwood, London.
Through sermons, reflections and conversations from across our community, Kolot explores Jewish life, learning and values in the world we live in today. Rooted in tradition and open to new perspectives, these episodes bring together voices that inspire thought, connection and belonging.
Whether you are Jewish, exploring Judaism, or simply looking for meaningful reflection, you are warmly welcome.
To learn more about The Ark Synagogue, visit arksynagogue.org.
Bechukotai can be a hard read.
In the style of a covenantal agreement, the terms of obedience to God are provided in a list of blessings that are rather general in nature, followed by curses that are truly graphic, gruesome, and specific.
How can it be that some Sages state that the blessings outweigh the curses when the latter seem to portray the true, all-too-realistic depths of what humanity can bring upon one another — the reality of wars and conflict? When the curse is to be dispersed in exile, not all in one place, how can they comfort themselves, and how can they have any hope of building a communal future? Yet despite this, the ancient Israelites and millennia of Jews have maintained their identity and sought to be a blessing to their People and the societies in which they lived.
Yizracha Or — they remembered the light, they remembered the light of the primordial Maker and the Maker of a Holy People.
It can be hard to find light, but this week there were glimmers from the Progressive Jewish world.
Rabbi Josh Weinberg, Vice President of our American sister Movement with particular responsibility for Israel and Reform Zionism, and Executive Director of ARZA, tells the story:
‘KKL-JNF has moved to cut funding to West Bank “farm” outposts, including programmes that had operated under the banner of support for “at-risk youth”. “Regretfully, under the guise of education, it turned out we were supporting activities aimed at bringing youth at risk to the settlements to help dispossess Palestinians from their land,” KKL-JNF Chairman Eyal Ostrinsky, himself a member of the Mevasseret Tziyon Reform Congregation, said.
Founded in 1901 at the Fifth World Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, KKL-JNF was created to purchase and develop land in Ottoman and later Mandatory Palestine for Jewish settlement. For generations, it became one of the most iconic institutions of Zionism — planting forests, building reservoirs, and quite literally helping to make the Land of Israel habitable and sustainable. The JNF blue boxes became staples on kitchen counters across the Jewish world, as they came to symbolise collective responsibility and shared purpose, and our commitment to supporting the fledgling State.
… But like many historic institutions, KKL-JNF has also evolved and, at times, drifted …’
Thanks to a long campaign by Progressive Zionists, led particularly by Rabbi Lea at the World Zionist Congress last year, and involving many partners, the decision has been made by KKL-JNF to curtail funding to West Bank illegal farm outposts. As Rabbi Josh Weinberg states, this “reflects a long-overdue alignment between Zionist institutions and Zionist values”.
And last week, prayer leaders from Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus arrived in Tbilisi, Georgia, for the WUPJ Shlichei Tzibur Seminar: a five-day intensive dedicated to learning, leading, and growing together. What unfolded was something far greater than any curriculum could predict.
Progressive rabbis Grisha Abramovich, Leonid Bimbat, and Alexander Dukhovny — all of whom have spent time at The Ark — led sessions that brought new lay readers together. As one participant stated:
“There are many political problems in the world right now, but what we are doing here is trying to put those political differences aside so we can talk to each other as human beings. Every person is unique, but there is also something that unites all of us as humans and as believers. There are not many things that truly divide us.”
International blessings — but what of nearer to home?
Nationally, we celebrate today a true legend: Sir David Attenborough, on his centenary. A national treasure who reminds us that, if we are truly concerned about the beauty of the planet and all it holds within it, we cannot continue to support or buy into practices that are a curse upon it. What favourite memories of him spring to mind, and what practices do we know we can easily amend in order to bring a few blessings?
And there was New Hope, our partner organisation that supports people experiencing homelessness. Matthew Heasman, the Chief Executive, wrote to us:
‘We stand with you and your community at this time and will be continuing in prayer for the continuation of the safe demonstration of religious expressions that we enjoy in our country.’
It is marvellous to have such friends in the local community.
And of course, tomorrow we will celebrate at The Ark the Induction Service of Rabbi Andrea. It will be a true celebration of love and joy.
It is true that there are many curses around us, but let us also count the blessings that are around us, and indeed those we might be inspired to bring.
To conclude, I noted in Rabbi Lea’s diary that our friend, master poet, and student rabbi, Alden Solovy, was with her for a few hours this Sunday. Delving into his book of poems, This Joyous Soul: A New Voice for Ancient Yearnings, I found this very appropriate way to conclude:
Marvelous Gifts
God of Old,
We give thanks
For moments of wonder and awe,
Of righteousness and charity,
For the freedom to do Your will.
Let Your mysteries unfold around us.
Guide us,
Shield us,
Lift us from narrow places
Of fear and despair
Into lives of service,
Into lives of celebration.
Teach me to use my hours with care
And my words as tools of praise.
The world is beautiful,
Marvellous in opportunity,
Joyous in energy,
Pulsing with excitement,
Vibrant in youth,
Wise in years,
Amazing with vitality,
Fantastic in all life,
A place of love and hope.
Teach me to use my hands to build,
And my heart as a beacon of joy.
God of all being,
Let me use the gift of redemption
From slavery to freedom,
From despair to hope,
As an instrument of holiness,
Celebrating the glory and beauty of Creation,
A remembrance of our Exodus from Egypt.
Amen