Chief Rabbi visits Hong Kong Jewish community
In a flying weekend visit to the Jewish community of Hong Kong, the Chief Rabbi and Valerie Mirvis met with the younger members of local Jewry and were warmly received by the local congregation and Jewish schools.
After Shacharit at Ohel Leah Synagogue, Chief Rabbi Mirvis first visited Carmel elementary school, where he presented 2nd graders with their new Chumashim for a special ceremony attended by their parents, and then proceeded to the Elsa High School. Here he enjoyed refreshments and discussion with a delegation of students, before addressing the entire school in their auditorium.
The Chief Rabbi attended a communal Friday Night dinner the following evening, where he gave a talk exploring what constitutes a ‘real community’. He also delivered a sermon during Shacharit the next day, giving an account of some of the most interesting personalities whom he had had occasion to meet, and later discussed the valuable lessons that arise from how The Ten Commandments are presented, at a Seudah Shlishshit. Opportunities to engage with the Hong Kong Bnei Akiva, and give a Gemara Shiur to the community, were additional highlights.
The Chief Rabbi complimented Rabbi Asher and Rachel Oser and Alex and Maddy Druker on their wonderful leadership of the thriving Hong Kong Jewish community and praised Mr Michael Green and his fellow trustees of the Ohel Leah Synagogue Charity for maintaining Jewish life in Hong Kong in such a remarkable manner.
Chief Rabbi Mirvis remarked that “Valerie and I had a most enjoyable and rewarding visit to the Jewish community of Hong Kong. Led very ably by Rabbi Asher Oser, this thriving community is a wonderful gem within the family of World Jewry.”
