The settlement of the
Jewish community in Hong Kong dates from
the 1840s and comprises families drawn
from various parts of the world. There
are three main synagogues — Ohel
Leah Synagogue (Orthodox) providing daily,
Sabbath and festival services, the United
Jewish Congregation of Hong Kong (Reform)
with Sabbath and festival services, both
of which share the same premises in Robinson
Road; and the Chabad Lubavitch, which
has daily services, in Garden Road. All
fulfil an important role in the religious,
cultural and social life of the Jewish
people in Hong Kong.
The Ohel Leah Synagogue
was built in 1901 on land given by Sir
Jacob Sassoon and his family and includes
a mikvah (ritual bath). There
is also a Jewish Cemetery, built in 1857
in Shan Kwong Road, Happy Valley.
The site adjoining the
Ohel Leah Synagogue, which contains a
residential complex, also houses the Jewish
Community Centre, serving all three congregations.
The centre offers its 400 member families
supervised kosher dining and banquet,
cultural and recreational facilities,
a wide range of activities and classes,
and a specialist library covering all
aspects of Judaica. The centre functions
as the focal point of social and cultural
life for the community. The community also operates
the Carmel School and other supplementary
religious educational classes. There are
several charity organisations and cultural
societies, including the Jewish Women's
Association, United Israel Appeal, Israeli
Chamber of Commerce and Jewish Historical
Society, which all combine to create a
vibrant Jewish community in Hong Kong. |