‘They shall make an Ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high’ (Exodus 25) In Judaism the Ark has always been a vessel of dual significance: a protector and a keeper of collective memory. Its form has changed throughout history, yet its meaning endures. In the story of Noah, the Ark preserved life during the flood. By contrast, the Ark of the Covenant served as a vessel for God, a sanctified object considered intrinsically holy. This Ark was constructed according to precise dimensions and housed the two tablets, inscribed with the Ten commandments. It was not merely a container but a vessel which held the most vital knowledge in Judaism, the foundation of Jewish law and ethics. Today, the Aron Hakodesh (Holy Ark) found in synagogues, which contains the Torah scrolls, echo’s the legacy of the Ark. It remains a powerful symbol of the Jewish people’s history and identity. More than a functional object for safekeeping, the Aron Hakodesh serves as a spiritual and physical anchor within the synagogue, a point of orientation.

In this piece, I present ten boxes of varying sizes. Some are heavy, while others are light; some have thick walls while others are delicately thin. Certain boxes are closed while others remain open. All are cast in a fine plaster, a material that appears sturdy at first glance, yet carries an inherent fragility, reflecting the delicate nature of knowledge and memory. These arks are imperfect. They are neither pure white nor perfectly formed, standing in stark contrast to the pristine craftsmanship described in the Torah.

These boxes represent a continuation of the Ark’s legacy - an Ark constructed by individuals but belonging to everyone. Though the original Ark no longer exists, the arks I have created hold the potential to store and protect knowledge, history and identity. This work serves as both an offering to my heritage and a reflection of the collective memory passed down to me, connecting me to the unbroken chain of the Jewish narrative.