Hanukkah On the Horizon: Where to Find Beijing’s Best Jewish Festivities

Drew Pittock, Contributing Editor | Dec 23, 2019 12:09 pm | Add a comment | 186 reads

Despite the fact that the Chinese government does not recognize Judaism as one of the country’s five official religions, and that anti-proselytizing laws make it all but illegal for anyone to convert within its borders, there is a small but thriving Jewish community to be found in Beijing. And while the current population of approximately 2,000 Jews encompasses transplants from Israel, Russia, the US, and Europe, there has been a population of Jews living in China for hundreds of years. If you're looking to celebrate Hannukah in Beijing this year, you should be able to find what you're looking for at the events below.

Bet Yaakov Chabad House of Beijing

Chabad House was established in August 2001 by Rabbi Shimon and Dini Freundlich. Ever since, they’ve worked tirelessly to provide Beijing’s Jewish community, as well as Jewish visitors to the city, with everything they need to faithfully observe the tenets of Judaism. Events include weekly Shabbat services, workshops for children and adults, counseling, women’s groups, a full-service restaurant Dini's Kosher Restaurant, and also helps Jewish travelers book hotel reservations.

According to Freundlich, “Besides the Jews who live in Beijing, there are approximately 15,000 Jewish business people and tourists who travel through each year. Chabad is here to serve as their ‘home away from home’ helping to take care of their Jewish needs [and] to give them warmth, food, and a place to recharge and reconnect with their Jewish identity.” 

Chabad will be hosting various Hanukkah events next week, including:

Kehillat Beijing

Kehillat has been serving Jews in Beijing since 1979, having started out as a small group of businesspeople, journalists, diplomats, and students from North America gathering together for Passover and High Holy Days. In 1995, they moved into their current location at the Capital Club of Beijing, where they host weekly Shabbat services and communal dinners, as well as celebrate a number of holidays and traditions throughout the year.

What makes Kehillat unique is that they are a lay-led community, meaning there’s no Rabbi to head the Synagogue (or as it’s known in the Kehillat community, Sinogogue) for weekly prayers. According to their website, “each week a member of the community steps to the front to lead ... Similarly, the weekly D’var Torah is given by a community member with an emphasis on group discussion, learning, and interaction. Our prayers are gender-sensitive and we include women in our minyan. We pray in unison. We are happy to accommodate guests in any way possible without disturbing the spirit of our community.”

  • Every Friday, 7pm: Kabbalat Shabbat services (free) with communal dinner (RMB 120 or RMB 140 for member and non-member adults).
  • Dec 27, 7pm: Hanukkah celebrations, including dancing, food, drinks, and games. RSVP via Jennifer on WeChat (ID: Jcourt) or email info@sinogogue.org.

Moishe House Beijing

Moishe House Beijing is part of the international Moishe House group, an international network of living spaces sponsored by Jewish organizations founded in 2006 which aim to help young Jews (approx. 21-32 years old) across the world feel closer to home and their faith, no matter where they live. The Beijing chapter has three residents; Leon Fenster (whose mural you may recognize from the new Jing-A Taproom in Longfusi), Stephanie Landes, and Faivel Levinton Fruchtengarten, who regularly host events like Yiddish Night and Pajama Fondue Night, and represent all the best that the local Jewish community has to offer. 

READ: Jingle All the Way to These Beijing Christmas Dining Events

This article first appeared on our sister site, beijingkids.

Photos:  Element5 Digital (via Unsplash), Sohu, Kehillat Beijing, Wikipedia