The Ark Synagogue welcomed Peter Susko, the Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the UK, to open its exhibition on the Jewish Women of Slovakia and learn more about the community’s deep connections with the Slovak town of Spišská Nová Ves.
The Ark has a Torah scroll from Spišská Nová Ves, which survived both the Holocaust and the Communist persecution of Jews. It was discovered by Otto Kohn in 1988, hidden in his late sister’s wardrobe, and donated to The Ark, where it joins other scrolls from the Czech and Slovak Republics used in services. You can read more about it here (pages 12/13).
This has led to a deep connection between the community and the residents of Spišská Nová Ves, including an annual visit from Ark members and memorials placed around the town to those murdered by the Nazis.
The Ark’s Rabbi Aaron Goldstein said: “The Ark takes its responsibility for its Czech and Slovak Torah scrolls very seriously. We were very grateful for the Ambassador’s genuine interest in our Torah scroll from Spišská Nová Ves and for the opportunity to share the story of its journey to Northwood – giving a powerful moment of remembrance and connection.”
The exhibition, which was commissioned and launched by the Slovak Embassy, presents inspiring female figures of Jewish origin who are linked to the territory of today’s Slovakia – whether they were born there, lived there or are of Slovak origin – and whose work has had an international reach.
Rabbi Aaron will be leading this year’s trip to Spišská Nová Ves, via Krakow and Auschwitz, in late May. It is open to all members of Progressive communities. Please contact rabbiaaron@arksynagogue.org if you are interested in going on the trip or having the exhibition in your community.