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The Jewish community of Hong Kong dates from about the 1840s and comprises
families from various parts of the world. There are three main synagogues
— Ohel Leah Synagogue, the United Jewish Congregation of Hong Kong
and the Chabad Lubavitch. Daily, Sabbath and festival services are held
at the Ohel Leah Synagogue (Orthodox). Sabbath and festival services are
also held at the United Jewish Congregation of Hong Kong (Reform). The
Ohel Leah Synagogue and the United Jewish Congregation of Hong Kong are
both located in the same building complex in Robinson Road on Hong Kong
Island. Daily services are also held at the Chabad Lubavitch (located
in premises at 51 Garden Road, Hong Kong Island). These all fulfil important
roles in the religious, cultural and social life of 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, which was built in 1857,
in Shan Kwong Road, Happy Valley.
The site adjoining the Ohel Leah Synagogue, now containing
a residential complex, also houses the Jewish Community Centre which serves
all three congregations in the HKSAR. The centre offers its 600 member
families supervised kosher dining and banquet, cultural and recreational
facilities, a wide range of activities and classes, as well as 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, as
well as 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 the Jewish Historical Society — which all combine to create
a vibrant Jewish community in Hong Kong. |
