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 thriving Jewish community to be found in Beijing. And while the current population of about 2,000 encompasses transplants from Israel, Russia, the US, and Europe, there is, in fact, a historical precedent for Jews in China.

Though their origins are somewhat unclear, the story goes that back in the ninth century, a Sung Dynasty emperor invited a bunch of Jews from present-day Iran, Afghanistan, and India to settle and produce cotton fabrics in an area of Henan Province called Kaifeng. What began as a humble 1,000 families quickly ballooned, and by the 17th century, Jews had spread across six different cities, including Beijing.

While only about 100 families descended from the original Kaifeng Jews are still around, since China opened its doors in 1979, many other intrepid travelers steeped in the Torah’s teachings have taken up residence across the People’s Republic, and specifically, the People’s Capital.

So with Hanukkah beginning this Sunday (Dec 22), we thought it important to highlight a few of the Jewish services available across town. Additionally, it should be noted that not only these events, but all of those offered at the three main Jewish organizations mentioned below are open to the public, meaning you don’t have to be a member of the faith to participate.

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, even going so far as to bring in a kosher butcher every three months, while sourcing other kosher products from the USA and around Beijing. In addition to providing weekly Shabbat services, Chabad House also offers classes and lessons for children and adults, counseling, youth activities, women’s groups, a full-service restaurant run by Freundlich aptly named, Dini’s Kosher Restaurant, and even helps Jewish travelers book hotel reservations.

According to Freundlich, “Besides the Jews who live in Beijing there are approximately 15,000 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 (see flyers below, in order of event date).

Chabad Beijing is located at Fang Yuan Xi Lu, next to the south gate of Si De Park, Chaoyang District.

For more information on all the things Chabad has to offer, click here.

Kehillat Beijing

Kehillat has been serving Jews in Beijing since 1979, having started out as a small group of business people, journalists, diplomats, and students from North America gathering together for Passover and High Holy Days. However it wasn’t until 1995 that they moved into their current location at the Capital Club of Beijing, where they host weekly Shabbat services with communal dinner, as well as 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 affectionately known in the Kehillat community, Sinogogue) and 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.”

Kabbalat Shabbat services occur every Friday night at 7 pm, followed by a communal dinner in the same room. While the service is free, dinner costs RMB 50 for students, RMB 60 or RMB 80 for member and non-member kids respectively, and likewise, RMB 120 or RMB 140, for adults.

Additionally, Kehillat will be celebrating Hanukkah towards the end of the week-long festivities, on Dec 27. Services begin at 7pm, with dancing, food, drinks, and games for the whole family shortly thereafter. If you’d like to RSVP, contact Jennifer on WeChat (Jcourt) or email info@sinogogue.org.

Kehillat Beijing is located near Liangmaqiao subway station, at Capital Club Athletic Center, 3rd Floor Ballroom, Capital Mansion, 6 Xinyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang.

For more information on all the services Kehillat has to offer, scan the QR code above or click here.

Moishe House

Moishe House Beijing falls under the Moishe House umbrella, an international network of living spaces sponsored by Jewish organizations, which aim to help Jews across the world feel closer to home, no matter where they live. As such, the Beijing chapter has three tenants; Leon Fenster, 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. In fact, they’re quite engaged with the larger, non-Jewish community in Beijing, with Fenster having painted the beautiful mural at the new Jing-A Taproom in Longfusi.

Whereas Chabad and Kehillat are open to families and have events for children, Moishe House gatherings such as their Hanukkah party on Saturday, Dec 28 (see flyer below), are geared towards young adults, aged 17-35.

For more information on all the things Moishe House has to offer, click here.

Photos:  Pixabay, Kehillat Beijing, Chabad Beijing, Moishe House

Last time, we shared 5 WeChat Communities for Moms in Beijing, so now we’re introducing non-WeChat communities for Beijing Mommies!  Some of these social media sites will require VPN use, moderator approval, and account creation, etc., so please be patient when requesting membership.

1 Beijing Mamas (Yahoo! Group)

Yahoo support group where you can “share resources, ask questions and grow as women and moms … It does not matter what age your children are, if you are a mama who wants a safe place to ask parenting questions, make other mama friends, hang out, start playgroup meetings or mama nights out, ask for gear recommendations, sell your used gear, etc….come and join.”

English speaking group in which Beijing Mamas / Parents can share resources and ask questions. Topics cover children from all ages, parenting questions, recommendations, playgroup meetings, birth, breastfeeding, pregnancy, hospitals and birth info, school concerns… You can also find second hand baby stuffs.

2 China Mamas of Tweens & Teens (Yahoo! Group)

An open forum for parents of kids 8 yrs old and older living in China to share and connect on the challenges and joys of raising older kids here. A place where you can come and and get answers to questions unique to kids that are in between (tween) childhood and teenage-hood, and those interesting teen years.

Share an experience; a place you’ve been to recently with your tween/teen that they loved; shops that actually carry clothes that are the right size and aren’t branded with a character; how to handle first crushes? It’s all open!

3 Bumps2Babes (email newsletter)

Beijing Bumps2Babes is a network of English speaking mums. Founded in 2013, over 100 participants have regular group meetings around Beijing. Volunteer organize activities / meetings or Bumps2Babes Playgroups for mums, bumps, babes and families. beijingbumps2babes@gmail.com

Note: Specific bumps2babes meetups will have corresponding WeChat groups.

4 Parent Support Group – Beijing (Yahoo! Groups)

Welcome to the meeting place for special parents with special kids. We hope you benefit from the company of the other parents!

We trust that the information shared within the group will remain within the group. The Moderators cannot be held responsible for any individual member’s actions contrary to this.

5 beijingkids Community (Facebook)

The beijingkids Facebook Community aims to unite Beijing’s international community pre-Beijing and post-Beijing.  Join before your Beijing adventure to ask questions and find useful resources, and stay in our community post-Beijing to stay up-to-date on the overall Beijing community and local news.  While in Beijing, stay to help our fellow expats and returnees.

Other communities you might be interested in:

Sew Gorgeous (Facebook volunteer sewing group)

Beijing Guild (crafting group)

Our Lady of China

Kehillat Jewish Community (synagogue)

Capital Community Church

Congregation of the Good Shepherd

Beijing Playgroup (Meetup)

Beijing Working Moms with Young Kids (Meetup)

Beijing Homeschoolers (Yahoo! Group)

Did you not find a suitable community for yourself?  Are the communities not as active as you’d wish?  Start a new community and let us know about it!

Photos: Flickr, US Department of Agriculture