Author: Reuven Spolter

Guest Post from Rabbi Johnny Solomon

Tonight I delivered my final session in Malmo (Sweden) alongside Avigayle Adler as part of the OTS Amiel BaKehila delegation to Scandinavia.

Having travelled from Copenhagen this afternoon, we were met in Malmo station by Rabbi Moshe David HaCohen and as we walked towards the community centre, we heard about the opportunities, and challenges, facing this special community.
When we arrived at the community centre, we met members of the community who were there to collect some basic Pesach foods which are now being sold through the community centre, and this was followed by a fabulous art activity for children led by Avigayle.

Soon after we popped out to visit the stunning synagogue and heard about its history, and we then returned to the community centre for a further art activity for adults which was then followed by my presentation titled, ‘Serving God Together: The Making of the Unified Haggadah’ where I told the story of Rav Goren’s Nusach Achid Haggadah and made a number of remarks about cohesion and unity in Jewish communities and in wider society. We ended the evening with a panel discussion addressing how we can achieve unity while celebrating diversity.

It has been an incredible privilege to spend the past week visiting and learning from the Helsinki, Oslo, Copenhagen and Malmo communities, while also sharing Torah ideas and connecting with so many wonderful people. In truth, it is impossible to put into words my admiration for the many wonderful leaders and community volunteers who we have met, and I thank each and every one of them for their kindness, hospitality, and for teaching me so much about their special communities.