Northwood and Ruislip United Synagogue hosted Professor Raphael Zarum, Dean of the London School of Jewish Studies, on Monday 29th September 2025, for an engaging and thought-provoking lecture on the story of Jonah and the Whale.
Speaking to a packed audience just days before Yom Kippur, Professor Zarum explored why the Book of Jonah is read on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. He highlighted the themes of repentance, inner reflection, and personal transformation, using Jonah’s time inside the great fish as a metaphor for the spiritual journey of Yom Kippur.
Drawing on biblical commentary, Midrash, and even modern literature and film, Professor Zarum showed how the imagery of the whale has echoed through stories from Moby Dick to Pirates of the Caribbean. He invited the community to see Yom Kippur itself as a journey “into the belly of the whale” – an opportunity to look inward, confront personal challenges, and emerge renewed.
He also shared a striking Midrash comparing Jonah’s experience inside the fish to entering a synagogue: “On Yom Kippur, the shul itself becomes the whale – carrying us together on a deep journey beneath the surface, bringing us spiritually closer to Jerusalem.”
The lecture combined humour, scholarship, and accessible teaching, leaving attendees inspired to approach Yom Kippur with deeper focus and meaning.
Rabbi Green, Rabbi of Northwood and Ruislip United Synagogue, said:
“We were delighted to welcome Professor Zarum back to our community. His ability to connect ancient texts with modern life gives us a fresh perspective on Yom Kippur and what it means to truly repent and renew ourselves.”
Northwood and Ruislip United Synagogue continues to host leading speakers and educators, offering members opportunities to deepen their Jewish learning and spiritual engagement.
1 October 2025