Other Jewish Communities of Hong Kong

 

The Hong Kong Jewish Community is a vibrant community which besides the Ohel Leah Synagogue also hosts a number of other Jewish communities. These communities have close ties with the Ohel Leah Synagogue and participate in joint activities on regular basis.

 

Chabad Lubavitch

 

Chabad of Hong Kong traces its roots back to 1987 when Rabbi Mordechai and Goldie Avtzon were sent to Hong Kong.  Their goal was to service the needs of the Jews in Hong Kong and Asia. With a growing demand, Chabad of Hong Kong’s Central office branched out to include other parts of Hong Kong with the establishment of two satellite Chabad Houses.

 

 

Chabad of Kowloon was established in the 2005 upon the request of many travellers to Kowloon, and Chabad Lantau was established in the 2008 at the resort of Discovery Bay to cater to a growing number of families that lived on this outlying Island. Unfortunately, Chabad Lantau ceased operations in 2017.

 

Chabad programs today include a daily minyanim, adult and children's education, holiday programming, hospitality for overseas visitors, and personal counselling. 

 

 

Kehilat Zion Synagogue

 

Kehilat Zion Synagogue is also known as Hechal Ezra Synagogue. It was established in 1995 by Syrian Businessmen of New York and the Sephardic Shecheber Center of Jerusalem. Kehilat Zion currently boasts more than 900 members. Kehilat Zion Synagogue is located in Tsim Sha Tsui East, a popular business and shopping district on the Kowloon side of the Victoria Harbour, in Hong Kong.

 

The synagogue serves the Jewish Community of Hong Kong and the many businessmen, tourists, and backpackers passing through the area. Rabbi Meoded, the chief Rabbi of the Hong Kong Sephardic Community, is Kehilat Zion’s spiritual leader.

 

The United Jewish Congregation

 

The United Jewish Congregation of Hong Kong (UJC) was founded in 1988 by three long term residents of Hong Kong, Robert Green, Charles Monat, and Robert L. Meyer. Their objective for the UJC was “to advocate the cause of Reform, Liberal, Conservative, and other non-Orthodox Jews in Hong Kong” and to encourage their participation in Jewish life to the fullest.

 

The UJC grew rapidly from a few dedicated people to be a Jewish congregation in Hong Kong with about 170 family and single memberships. Since its inception, the UJC has been affiliated with the World Union for Progressive Judaism and is now a key congregation in the Union for Progressive Judaism and Asia Progressive Judaism.

 

Shuvah Israel 

Shuva Israel was a Sefardic community based in the Central, Hong Kong. At the peak of its operations it had a restaurant, a shop, a bet midrash and a small child care center. Unfortunately, it ceased operations in 2019.