The United Jewish Congregation of Hong Kong (UJC) was founded in 1988 "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. We are a warm, welcoming, vibrant congregation, with adults and children actively engaged in all aspects of the community.

COMMUNITY PROFILE

The Jewish community in Hong Kong is extremely diverse, reflecting many traditions from around the world. While UJC members come mainly from North America, we are also thoroughly international, including members from the Israel, Britain, France, Spain, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and China. Although some congregants have lived in Hong Kong for decades, many are in Hong Kong for two to five years. Our membership is comprised mostly of business people, journalists, teachers, and academics, and includes many families with school-age children, as well as many young professionals.

HISTORY

The UJC grew rapidly from a few dedicated people to become a large Jewish congregation in Hong Kong with about 220 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.

In the Congregation's early years, lay leaders and other volunteers, mainly using their homes and offices, conducted services, organized programs and taught classes. From 1989-92, Rabbi Samuel Joseph, Professor of Jewish Religious Education, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio, came to Hong Kong to lead High Holiday services. He served as the UJC's first Rabbi in residence during 1993-94. In those days, the UJC had no home ---- regular Friday evening Shabbat services and dinner at the American Club and the High Holidays Services were held in the modest auditorium of the China Fleet Club. Yet, under Rabbi Joseph's energetic leadership, the UJC grew to more than 200 members, who were offered a full congregational schedule including life cycle observances, festival and holiday services and celebrations, Bar/Bat Mitzvah classes and ceremonies for children and adults, and a variety of special programs.

IN THIS WEEKS 'SHABBAT SHALOM'

Tikkun Leil Shavuot
So What’s New

The JCC Trivia Night
Saturday 17th June
8:30PM
JCC Garden Room

You may make up your own table team of 10 people or asked to be assigned to a team. HK$150 per person includes a light buffet dinner. Call Estelle Chan to register 2589-2602 or email her at jccec@jcc.org.hk

Breakfast Havurah:
Due to the renovation of The American Club, this month’s Breakfast Havurah will be held at The China Club. Rabbi Michael will speak about “Striking a Balance Be-tween Work and Home: A Jewish Perspective”.

When: Friday,23rd June at 8:00 AM
Where: The China Club, 13/F,
The Old Bank of China Bldg, Bank Street, Central
Price: HK$100 per person.
RSVP: By Thursday, 22nd June with the UJC office.

Jewish Community Event
Israeli Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

Are you concerned about air pollution in Hong Kong? Come and hear a team of experts about the community costs and gains available from clean air policies. The Israeli Chamber of Commerce is delighted to invite you to a Chamber luncheon on
Thursday, 29th June from 12:30 until 2:00 PM
at the Hong Kong Bankers Club,
43/F Gloucester Tower, The Landmark,
Central, Hong Kong. Download our Shabbat Shalom for the form.

Calling all bird-watchers!
“Migrating Birds know no boundaries”
by Top Israeli specialist in this area Dr. Yossi Leshem.
Date : Thursday, 29th June at 7:30 PM
Where : JCC King David Room
Contact Tzvika (tzvika@ujc.org.hk) for details.

Attention Parents:
We are sending you Shorashim registration forms for 2006- 07 which need to be completed. Please fill in all the attached forms and send/fax them to the UJC office at your earliest convenience, preferably before you leave for the summer to allow us to
better prepare for the upcoming year. Wewant to ensure we have a smooth transition for Rabbi Patti Kopstein, who will be taking over the administration of Shorashim when she and Rabbi David Kopstein start work here on the 1st September.



To download the full version of the Shabbat Shalom as a pdf .. click here......

MONTHLY CALENDAR
Want to know WHAT'S HAPPENING at the UJC and When? Click here and stay up to date with all of the latest scheduling!...

Tribute Book!
The annual Tribute Book is an integral part of our UJC fundraising efforts. It is distributed to the entire community, and affords you an opportunity to extend wishes of a personal nature to friends or family, honour a life-cycle event, or express any other sentiments. The Tribute Book is also an excellent medium for advertisements and commercial notices.
This year, in conjunction with the Tribute Book, we are producing a Shabbat Booklet in Hebrew, English and transliteration, which will be both a useful and beautiful reference tool for you to use at home – a “how to guide” for Shabbat.
click here to download our pdf form!...

Rosh Chodesh
Weds. June 14th: Each month, a group of (mainly) women gather together to celebrate the beginning of the new moon - Rosh Chodesh. More details to follow.

Hatnuah (HK Zionist Youth)
We are happy to announce the establishment of a new Zionist Youth Movement in Hong Kong which is open to all the Jewish Community in Hong Kong for grades 3 to 5.
Everyone between the ages of 9-12 is invited! Bring all your Jewish friends along, so no one misses out on the fun!
Stay tuned for details of our next meeting.

Download: This week's
D’var Torah by Rabbi Michael Schwartz. Click here ....

Special occassion that you'd like us to list on our website? Contact us!