Every year, when Purim comes around, Shavei Israel communities around the world celebrate big time. The Megillah readings, outlandish costumes, extravagant parties, sumptuous kosher food, and far out festivities never cease to amaze us. And so, as we do every year, here’s a selection of...
Shavei Israel has launched a new series of translations into Chinese to better familiarize the small Jewish community living in Kaifeng, China, with various aspects of Jewish observance. The translations cover various prayers, blessings and ceremonies. The first two are now ready: the familiar Shema...
Ruth Haokip came from India, a member of Bnei Menashe, “the children of Menashe.” Jin Jin grew up more than 1,700 miles away, in Kaifeng, China. And on the Upper West Side, they spoke about what they had in common: Both were members of “lost”...
It’s called “Study of Torah Street” in Chinese and for hundreds of years was the center of Jewish life in the ancient Chinese capital of Kaifeng. But since the 1850s, when the synagogue was shuttered and the last rabbi passed away, the “Study of Torah...
Shavei Israel Chairman Michael Freund will be speaking this Thursday, November 7, 2013, at Touro College and University in New York. If you're in town, click here to view more details....
When Gidon Elazar finished his mandatory military service, like so many other Israelis he had a hankering for travel. Setting his sights on the Far East, he spent much of his time in China. So began a decade-long fascination, one that continues today and that...
Shavei Israel's "Roots" email newsletter has reached an important milestone - its hundredth publication since we started more than three years ago. To celebrate, we're taking a look back at some of the articles you told us were the most significant or meaningful stories we've...
Last week, the small and unassuming mikve (ritual bath) in Hod HaSharon witnessed the unfolding of a remarkable scene in the annals of Jewish history. One by one, six young Chinese men, all descendants of the Jewish community of Kaifeng, China, immersed themselves in the...
Israeli student Eran Barzilay visited Kaifeng, China, during the High Holy Days in 2012. He was accompanied during some of his trip by Gideon and Shuli Elazar, an Israeli family from Tekoa. The Elazars celebrated the Sukkot holiday in Kaifeng and Gideon taught some classes...
[caption id="attachment_10673" align="alignleft" width="300"] Eran Barzilay (back row) with some of the Chinese community in Kaifeng[/caption] Two years ago, following the devastating fire that ravished Israel’s Carmel mountain range, the Jewish community in Kaifeng, China, decided it wanted to donate money to help rebuild the Yemin...
