Indian Tribal Art in a London Synagogue Targeted by Hate
Yesterday there was an arson attack targeting the Finchley Reform Synagogue in London, an act described by the police as an antisemitic hate crime. Thankfully, no one was harmed, and the synagogue itself was not damaged. Yet even without injury, such incidents leave a deep emotional mark, reminding us how fragile a sense of safety can be for Jewish communities around the world.
At Gabriel Project Mumbai, this moment feels especially personal in an unexpected way. A few years ago, one of our dear supporters, Andrew Jacobs, commissioned a remarkable piece of tribal artwork for the Finchley Reform Synagogue – that is also called ‘Etz Chaim’ or ‘Tree of Life Synagogue’. His daughter, Zoe Jacobs, serves as cantor there, deepening the connection between our worlds.
That artwork, called “Tree of Life”, was inspired by the vulnerable tribal communities we work with in rural India. In these communities, the tree is not just a symbol, but a lived reality: a source of nourishment, shelter, healing, and continuity. After visiting our programs and encountering this deeply rooted symbolism, a local Warli tribal artist created a unique piece that now hangs within the synagogue’s walls.
It is striking to reflect on that image now. A Tree of Life – born from one of India’s most marginalized regions; standing in a synagogue in London, representing connection, resilience, and shared humanity.
Acts of hate seek to divide and instill fear. But symbols like the Tree of Life remind us of something stronger: that across continents, cultures, and communities, we are bound together by a common desire to grow, to nurture, and to protect life.
We hope for a world where such attacks cease entirely, where synagogues, temples, mosques, and churches are places only of peace. And we hold onto a vision where, instead of destruction, we invest our energy in building, in healing, and in helping all communities flourish. Like the Tree of Life – rooted deeply, reaching outward, and growing toward light.
