History of the Jews in Taiwan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Jewish presence in Taiwan began in the mid-20th century, and was never numerous. The first sizable presence began in the 1950s, when religious services were held in the United States military chapel, to which civilians also had access. There are currently two main entities for Jews in Taiwan, the Taiwan Jewish Community, and the Taipei Jewish Center.

Rabbinical services[]

In 1975, Rabbi Ephraim Einhorn (Hebrew: אפרים פרדיננד איינהורן‎; Chinese: 艾恩宏; pinyin: Ài Ēnhóng) arrived to serve as the island's sole rabbi.[1] Since then, the Taiwan Jewish Community has been largely made up of foreign business executives and their families, students, diplomats assigned to Taiwan, and visitors to the island. For many years Rabbi Einhorn officiated at Sabbath and holiday services at the Landis Hotel and later the Sheraton Taipei. In 2015 the venue for the services moved to space in an office building provided by one of the community members. In 2020 the Taiwan Jewish Community moved to a location funded by the entire community. Attendance peaks around the High Holy Days, numbering between 60 and 100.[2][3][4][5] Rabbi Einhorn died in 2021 in Taipei and his role in running the organization Taiwan Jewish Community was passed on to Leon Fenster.[6]

Relations with Israel[]

Because the state of Israel has full diplomatic relations with mainland China, it cannot fully recognize the government of Taiwan, which China considers separatist. Nevertheless, Israel maintains the Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei (ISECO). In 2006, there was $1.3 billion worth of bilateral trade between Israel and Taiwan.

Holocaust related[]

Chelujan Church (車路墘基督教會), site of the Taiwan Holocaust Museum.

In 2002 a Holocaust Museum was opened in Bao'an, Rende Township, Tainan County (now part of Tainan City).[7] It was founded by Chou Chou An (Chinese: 卓枝安; pinyin: Zhuó Zhī'ān), a Taiwanese priest who follows Messianic Judaism, considered by many Christians and Jews to be a form of Christianity. Chou Chou An received his religious education in Japan. The Kyoto Holocaust Museum has donated several artefacts to the Holocaust Museum in Tainan.[citation needed]

In 2021 an International Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony in Taipei was attended by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. The event was organized by the Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, the German Institute Taipei, and the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy.[8]

Chabad Taiwan[]

In the summer of 2011, upon the coming of the new Chabad emissaries, Rabbi Shlomi and Racheli Tabib, the Chabad Taiwan, also known as the Taipei Jewish Center, was founded.[9]

Population[]

As of 2016 the Jewish community in Taiwan numbered approximately 800, with 650 of those residing in Taipei.[10]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Luxner, Larry (2007-09-30). "Overshadowed by China, a few Jews hold on in Taiwan". Luxner News. Archived from the original on 2016-09-09. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  2. ^ During the 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic, owing to Taiwan's success at controlling the outbreak, the Taiwan Jewish Community experienced a resurgence in membership, and holiday events have enjoyed upwards of 200 participants. Yiu, Cody (2005-02-14). "Taipei's Jewish". Taipei Times. p. 2. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  3. ^ Steinberg, Neil (2002-08-09). "A down-home davening in Taiwan". Jewish World Review. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  4. ^ Halle, Charlotte (2008-10-30). "Toast of Taiwan". Haaretz. Retrieved 2015-01-16.
  5. ^ Yang, Sophia (2021-03-10). "Taiwan Jewish Community Holds World's Largest Purim Celebration". Taiwan News. Retrieved 2021-03-10.{
  6. ^ Haime, Jordyn. "Taiwan's longtime rabbi, whose life brimmed with international intrigue, dies at 103". www.jta.org. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  7. ^ Mishani, Dror (2007-08-31). "State or state of mind?". Haaretz. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  8. ^ Lim, Emerson. "Taiwan an active partner in global human rights efforts: President Tsai". focustaiwan.tw. Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  9. ^ Jay, Phillip (2011-10-01). "Taipei officially opens a Jewish Community Centre". Jewish Times Asia. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  10. ^ Limor Shmuel Friedman; Dana Regev; Eli Finarov; David Stavrou Kay; Ron Reitan. "In These Five Flourishing Jewish Communities, No One Is in Any Rush to Immigrate to Israel". Haaretz. Retrieved 8 April 2019.

External links[]


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