December 2015 / January 2016 • Volume 10 • Issue 8 • Kislev / Tevet / Shevat 5776

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December 2015 / January 2016 • Volume 10 • Issue 8 • Kislev / Tevet / Shevat 5776

ISRAEL AND CHINA SIGN JOINT ACTION PLAN ON AGRICULTURE TO DOUBLE TRADE VOLUME

The signing ceremony took place on 19 November at the Israeli Agriculture Ministry in the presence of China’s Vice Prime Minister Wang Yang. This was a follow-up to an August meeting between the Israeli and Chinese agriculture ministers in Beijing.

The joint action plan aims to promote co-operation between the two nations in the sector, specifically focusing on bilateral trade, knowledge exchanges and collaborative research projects, the Israeli Agriculture Ministry explained.

“We are excited about the

Naama Rosenberg

By Staff Writer & Agencies In a further move to expand existing agricultural trade and research opportunities between Israel and China, Israel’s Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel and China’s Deputy Agriculture Minister Yu Xinrong have signed a joint action plan for future collaborations, in the hope of doubling agricultural trade volume between the two nations over the next five years.

Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel and Chinese Deputy Agriculture Minister Yu Xinrong shake hands after signing an agricultural development plan

economic and trade co-operation between Israel and China,” Minister Ariel said. “There are many successes, but it is not enough.

There is more to do to broaden the bilateral ties, and the purpose of this meeting was to advance further achievements. Let us increase our exports to Asia and, thereby, help farmers, as well as limit the European boycott.”

By continually strengthening co-operation, the action plan aims to speed up agricultural trade volume between China and Israel to US$450 million by 2020. According to Itzik BenDavid, the Agriculture Ministry’s deputy director-general for foreign trade and international relations, Israel is currently ex-

porting about US$60 million worth of food products to China and about US$2.5 billion worth of food products globally. It imports about US$180million worth of food products from China, and about US$5.5 billion worth of food products from the rest of the world.

Also key to the plan is promoting co-operation and establishing joint research centres and laboratories that focus on areas such as genetics, desert agriculture, plant and animal cultivation and food safety.

The two countries will also promote other collaborative projects, such as the future Ningxia-Israel Training and

Indonesian journalists visit the Knesset Indonesia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, but that did not stop five respected Indonesian journalists from joining two Thai counterparts on a five-day fact-finding study visit sponsored by the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affair Council’s (AIJAC) Rambam Program in October.

The group’s itinerary included a visit to Israel’s Parliament, the Knesset and a discussion with Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, meetings with sever-

al Israeli journalists and a briefing by Jerusalem Post’s Palestinian Affairs reporter Khaled Abu-Toameh, a close look at Israel’s startup business culture, and a security briefing along Israel’s borders with Lebanon and Syria.

Indonesia is home to the world’s largest Muslim population. The Indonesian journalists, most of who were Muslims, also appreciated the chance to pray at the al-Aqsa Mosque as well as a new mosque in the Israeli Arab village of Abu Gosh.

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AIJAC’s Executive Director Colin Rubenstein, who accompanied the group for part of their programme, said: “The Indonesian and Thai journalists who took part in the programme confirmed there is no substitute for visiting Israel and learning about the country firsthand.”

Rubenstein also noted: “Knesset Speaker Edelstein’s lengthy and intensive meeting with the group, as well as the meeting with prominent politician and former foreign minister Tzippi Livni, spoke for itself.”

Demonstration Farm. The demonstration facility, the fruits of an agreement signed between MASHAV – Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation – and the local Ningxia government at the end of October, is slated to showcase Israeli agricultural and irrigation technologies.

Another existing place where the action plan calls for expanded co-operation is MASHAV’s Chinese-Israeli International Center for Training in Agriculture, at the Agricultural University of China, established in 1993 by then-foreign minister Shimon Peres, which began operations in 1998.

IN THIS ISSUE Regional News Sri Lanka’s new ambassador to deepen bilateral relations

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Business News Chinese visitors meet hi-tech representatives in Haifa

10-12

Art • Culture • Music Zubin Mehta and the IPO to return to Singapore

14-17

Festival Chanukah

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Jewish communities in Asia Candle-lighting and the month’s Parshas

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香港藝術節的資助來自 The Hong Kong Arts Festival is made possible with the funding support of

Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

Jewish Times Asia

Sri Lanka’s new ambassador to deepen bilateral relations

Publisher & Founder Philip Jay

Israel and Sri Lanka expect to further deepen and strengthen the existing bilateral relations between the two countries, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said recently.

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The two countries agreed to enhance close relations when the new Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Israel, Periyasamy Pillai Selvaraj, presented his credentials to Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin at a ceremony held on 2 November at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.

The ambassador, escorted by a motorcade, was welcomed upon his arrival at the President’s Residence with a Guard of Honour and the playing of the National Anthems of both countries.

Following the presentation of credentials, the Israeli President warmly welcomed the new Ambassador and wished him every success in his new assign-

Halloween shoppers protest

of the ambassador.

Ambassador Selvaraj with Israel’s President Reuvan Rivlin

ment as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Israel.

In his remarks, Ambassador Selvaraj conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of President Maithripala Sirisena, and those were warmly reciprocated.

President Rivlin said the existing bilateral relations between Israel and Sri Lanka are excellent and expressed the confidence that the relations would be further deepened and strengthened during the tenure

Ambassador Selvaraj expressed Sri Lanka’s deep appreciation to Israel for providing employment opportunities for Sri Lankan caregivers and agricultural workers in Israel. The ambassador further said that Sri Lanka would like to enhance the existing close and friendly relations with Israel, especially in the fields of tourism, agriculture, the economy, investment and industry.

Ambassador Selvaraj joined the Sri Lanka Foreign Service in 1994 and has served in Sri Lanka Missions in Moscow, Geneva, Washington DC and Canberra. He is a graduate of the University of Jaffna and obtained Postgraduate Diplomas from the University of Colombo and the National Institute of Education in Maharagama. He is a past student of St. Joseph’s College, Maskeliya, and Highlands College, Hatton.

“Hello Israel!” competition in Shanghai Hosted by the Consulate General of Israel in Shanghai and the International Education Association Shanghai, and cohosted by Shanghai Jing’an District Education Bureau, the 2015 “Anemone Cup” Innovative Drama Competition for Shanghai High School Students was held on 22 November at the Jing’an Youth Activity Center.

About 500 people, including government officials and

US retail giant Walmart halted sales of its Israeli soldier costume after consumers protested against the product, The New York Times reported. Some of the shoppers accused Walmart of selling an “apartheid army” costume, leading Walmart’s management to stop offering the Halloween special, according to the report.

The picture accompanying the product showed a costumed child holding a toy Uzi, although the costume did not include the replica gun. Several Muslim groups in the US threatened to end their commercial ties with Walmart and launch a boycott over the costume.

One shopper complained: “Might as well sell a Hitler outfit for children as well!

Pitiful!”, while another post said: “Your little one can now go to his friend’s house, and take over their bedroom, and all of their toys and claim that God has given him/her the right to take it.”

advanced technology and innovative ideas.

Winners at the competition

high-school students, watched the competition. The theme of the competition was “Hello, Israel!”. In all, 24 students from eight high schools in Jing’an

District participated.

They devised eight original dramas to express their understanding of Israel and its history,

After several rounds of competition, Shanghai Yucai High School was judged the winner of the outstanding award, and Shanghai Minli High School won the prize for Best Creative Drama. The competition provided a unique perspective for Chinese students and promoted culture exchanges between the two countries.

Israel mourns the passing of its fifth President, Yitzhak Navon

Yitzhak Navon, who served as the fifth President of the State of Israel from 1978 to 1983, passed away on 7 November at the age of 94. He was laid to rest on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.

During his presidency, he strove to act as a bridge between Israel’s ethnic groups, religious and secular, Sephardim and Ashkenazim, left and right, Jews and Arabs.

One of the highlights of

his term of office was his state visit to Egypt in 1980 at the invitation of President Anwar Sadat. He impressed his hosts with his eloquent Arabic, breaking the ice and demolishing stereotypes of Israelis and Jews as a “foreign element” to the region.

“I would like to express deep sorrow over the passing and send my condolences to his wife, children and grandchildren,” said Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “As David Ben-Gurion’s secretary,

Minister of Education and President, Navon was a full partner in shaping the State of Israel as a free, Jewish and democratic state. I was always impressed by the depth of his knowledge,

his openness to everyone and his deep love for the people of Israel and its heritage. As president, author and playwright he was active in advancing unity among Israel’s various communities, commemorating Sephardic Jewish communities and in promoting awareness of the history of the Jerusalem in which he was born and lived his life. Navon will be remembered as one of the finest of the nation. May his memory be blessed.”

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Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

Regional News

Tel Aviv University in China push A database featuring the names and descriptions of 5,000 Israeli companies, all in Chinese, was presented at the inaugural meeting of Tel Aviv University’s (TAU) first alumni association in China, in the city of Nanjing on 25 November.

The Web-based tool is the brainchild of Sofaer International MBA graduates of TAU, including a Nanjing local. It is meant to give high-tech entrepreneurs and investors in China and Israel the opportunity to connect and work together. The roll-out of Kaipule (pronounced “Kepler”), aimed at identifying rising stars in the startup firmament, lies at the core of TAU’s strategy in China.

TAU has already forged links with over 30 leading universities and major Chinese cities, more than any other institution of higher education in Israel. The Nanjing alumni group emerged from a project that is bringing 1,000 senior city executives and managers to TAU’s LAHAV executive business education unit for training in innovation and entrepreneurship. Other active joint projects include the XIN innovation centre in the nano field with Tsinghua University in Beijing, and a contemporary Israel studies centre with Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

A flurry of signings and inaugurations in November has resulted in several new frameworks for partnerships between TAU and Nanjing, Yunnan and Weifang. The inaugural meeting of the China Alumni Association was “a historic moment”, said TAU President Joseph Klafter, who travelled to Nanjing for the event. “This is the first time that Tel Aviv University alumni have gotten organised into a group in Asia.”

“Along with providing alumni and other local business people with an insider view of Israeli innovation, the new association could also open channels for young Chinese students to attend one of TAU’s many full-degree programmes taught in English,” Klafter said.

First TAU alumni event held in Hong Kong With much activity taking place in China for Tel Aviv University (TAU), Sharon Ser, Chairperson of the Hong Kong Friends of TAU, hosted over 30 TAU alumni and Israelis currently residing in Hong Kong.

TAU President Joseph Klafter with Huang Lan, Vice Mayor of Nanjing

The occasion was marked by the signing of an MOU between the Nanjing Economic and Technological Development Zone and TAU to explore the possibility of establishing a joint Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center. The aim of the agreement is to intensify collaboration in nurturing scientific and technological talent and pursue joint R&D. At the day-long 1st China Yunnan-Israel Innovation Cooperation Forum, in southwest China, Professor Klafter signed an MOU with Yunnan University President Professor Lin Wenxun in the presence of Yunnan Provincial Governor Mr. Chen Hao. The two universities agreed to pursue joint research, continuing education and scholar exchanges, as well as the possible co-establishment of an Innovation Research Center.

The Consul General of Israel to Chendu, Amir Lati, was on hand at the signing, which is part of a larger framework for increased Yunnan-Israel relations. Central to these efforts from the Israeli side are the Israel-China Chamber of Commerce and the financial company Sheng-BDO. C

Another agreement, a strategic trilateral MOU, was signed between the School of Advanced Agriculture at Peking University, the TAU George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences and Manna Program in Food Security, and Weifang City in Shandong Province.

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The agreement covers the feasibility and planning stage of a proposed joint research centre and campus in Weifang for developing new agricultural strains. It will be administered

Front row, from left: Ms. Xiaoling Ouyang, Admin Director, the School of Advanced Agriculture at Peking University; Dr. Guiying Wang, Vice Mayor of Weifang; and Prof.

Danny Chamovitz, Dean of TAU’s George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences

by Peking University and TAU and house students and researchers from both universities. The proposed centre will use modern biology to answer the pressing food-security problems, including climate change and the need for increased agricultural yields and nutrition. Shandong Province in northeast China is one of the country’s most heavily populated provinces, with about 100 million people, and is considered the “Silicon Valley” of 047001_tgec_jta20151207.pdf China.

Together with members of the local and Jewish community, the event was held at the China Club with the theme of a traditional Chinese dinner banquet on 23 November.

Guests at the intimate gathering enjoyed the opportunity to network with fellow TAU graduates. Among the guests who enjoyed a live display of the art of noodle-making and tea-making were Nicholas W. Yang, Advisor to the Hong Kong Chief Executive on Innovation and Technology; Rafael Aharoni, Chairman of the Israeli Chamber of Commerce, and Professor Yesha Sivan, head of TAU’s Coller Institute of Venture.

1 7/12/15 Front row: Hong2:13 KongpmTAU alumni Michal Mor Shrorch and Sharon Ser

Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

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Regional News

Israel honoured at Pujiang Innovation Forum

The Forum is one of the leading economic forums in China, with 1,500 economic and market leaders attending every year. Israel was awarded this honour following intensive work by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the agency of the Israeli embassy in Beijing, together with the Ministry of Economy.

Embassy of Israel, Beijing

Israel’s participation in the Forum is part of a new co-operation platform, the China-Israel Joint Committee on Innovation Cooperation. The committee unites Israeli-Chinese co-operation activities in different areas.

The first meeting was held in

Israel Ambassador to China Vilnai at the Pujiang Innovation Forum

MFA

Israel was chosen to be this year’s country of honour at the Pujiang Innovation Forum that took place in Shanghai on 27-28 October.

Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom speaks at the Pujiang Innovation Forum

Israel interactive exhibition stand

Beijing in January 2015, chaired

by Vice Premier Liu Yandong and Israel’s then-foreign minister, Avigdor Liberman.

isters attended the signing of a series of agreements between Israel and Chinese companies.

In addition a unique project involving Israeli and Chinese children took part in innovation workshops on Israeli methodology.

Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang was hosting the Forum and the guest of honour was Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Silvan Shalom. Minister Shalom was accompanied by a delegation of 80 people.

Also in attendance was Israel’s Ambassador to China Matan Vilnai, Israel’s Chief Scientist Avi Hasson, Director of Israel Patent Office Asa Kling, Vice-President of Global Microsoft Danny Yamin, the co-founder of Syneron Medical Ltd. Dr. Shimon Eckhouse, the Director General of Haifa Municipality (Shanghai’s twin

Israel’s Ambassador to India visits Rajasthan Israel’s Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon, accompanied

by Political Counselor Liron Zaslansky, paid a visit to the Indian state of Rajasthan on 19 November.

The ambassador held fruitful discussions with Chief Minister Vasaundhara Raje, Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Prabhu Lal Saini and Water Resources and Public Health Engineering Minister Kiran Maheshwari. The focus of the discussion was on enhancing collaboration in water management and conservation.

During the discussions, Ambassador Carmon emphasised that Israel is well known around the world for its water purification and water supply

schemes and their management, and commented that Rajasthan could also benefit from Israel’s expertise in this field.

He also pointed out that Israel suffers only six to nine per cent water loss, and that the state of Rajasthan can follow Israel’s water-management techniques in order to check water seepage.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said that Israel has been their long-time partner and that she was sure the relationship will result in many more landmark agreements, adding that the collaboration in date and olive ventures has captured the imagination of many Indian states.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje with Ambassador Carmon

city) Shmuel Ganz, and young Internet entrepreneur Ron Gura.

Israeli experts and entrepreneurs shared their experience and expertise with Forum attendees. At the convention, an interactive digital exhibit about Israeli innovations, the product of collaboration between the Israeli Foreign Ministry and the company iConception, was launched.

The Chinese and Israeli min-

Because Israel was the country of honour, a leading Israeli chef and some Israeli artists were invited to showcase their skills. Uri Navon, chef of

the Machaneyuda Restaurant, prepared some Israeli dishes, and musician Amir Gvirtzman played various wind instruments, including bagpipes and a shofar. The evening’s programme also featured an ensemble of Israeli and Chinese actors appearing in a musical popular in China.

The second meeting of the committee will convene in 2016 in Jerusalem.

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Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

Regional News

Israeli airship demonstrated in India Even as the scientists at India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are developing an advanced aerostat named Nakshatra, a Bengalorebased aerospace company hit the skies with an aerial surveillance system from Israel, on a demonstration mission.

The airship was on operational sorties at a Bengalore police compound. The airship, named Mistral-RT1000, is an aerostat-based eye-in-the-sky platform. It is a collaboration between India’s Mistral Solutions and the Israeli firm RT.

The Mistral-RT1000 is currently being used widely by

The Mistral-RT1000 airship

the Israeli Army. A helium-inflatable device, it is embedded with a long-range day-and-night thermal camera.

“There has been a lot of interest from various quarters, including some private companies. In addition to homeland security, the system can be used for sporting activities as well.

It can stay afloat for three days and the maintenance takes only 10 minutes,” commented Mistral Chairman Anees Ahmed.

Its promoters say that the camera can provide aerial surveillance from a height of up to 1,000 feet with a high zoom capability. “It is quick and easy to deploy, and provides a video surveillance for an area of 2-3 sq km. The device is designed for surveillance over fixed sites, such as military bases, temporary camps, strategic facilities and border-crossing checkpoints. The system is operated by a two-man crew and can perform effectively under different wind conditions and remain airborne for up to 72 hours continuously,” a company official added.

Elephant hospital receives donation from Jerusalem zoo

Thailand’s Ambassador to Israel Angsana Sihapitak received a US$1,500 donation from the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo for an elephant hospital in Lampang, Thailand.

The cheque was delivered by an Asian elephant named Tamar, who used her trunk to present it to the ambassador in November. “I will forward it to the elephant hospital to Lampang [in accordance with] the objective of this donation,” said Sihapitak, who expressed her gratitude to Israel for helping protect Thai elephants.

Asian elephants are an endangered species, according

Ambassador Sihapitak feeding the elephant

Tamar the elephant presents the cheque to the ambassador

to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo collected the donation from zoo visitors over a period of three years as part of a lottery contest, whose winner won the right to spend a day in close proximity to the elephants at the zoo.

“The Thai elephants arrived in Israel only because of the special request made by the late prime minister Yitzhak Rabin to his colleague to bring elephants to the Jerusalem zoo, but [there is] full commitment from the Israeli side to do whatever we can

do to promote wildlife conservation in zoos [and] to promote… [the] Asian elephant’s needs for conservation and breeding,” said the Jerusalem zoo’s CEO, Shay Doron, Israel Hayom reported.

“The most important thing about this contribution is not only the amount of money, but the fact that it’s a gift from the children of Jerusalem and the children of Israel. We collected shekel by shekel, dollar by dollar; no one came with big money,” he said.

Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

Regional News Nobel Laureates visit Singapore to advance the future of learning

Gathering of delegates at the conference

Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has, in the past year, been working to bring the world’s brightest minds in the country as part of the inaugural Nobel Prize Series. World-leading scientists, policymakers and thought leaders congregated in November for two days to discuss the future of learning at the series.

The event, produced by Nobel Media and the Nobel Museum in partnership with NTU, included a conference, four public lectures by the five Nobel laureates, and an exhibition detailing the history of the Nobel Prize. The series, the first of its kind, was set up to bring together experts to deliberate on critical issues that may arise in future.

Compared with previous Nobel-related events in Singapore, which tend to focus on physics, chemistry and medicine, the series offered a broader scope of topics, including litera-

ture and economics.

Focusing on the theme “The Future of Learning”, the event aimed to identify the key strategic directions, challenges and opportunities for education in the 21st century. Whether in terms of pedagogical innovation, the use of technologies, life-long learning or skillbased practical learning, new paradigms of education will be needed for future global development.

The five Nobel Laureates participating in the inaugural event included German physicist Professor Stefan Hell, Israeli crystallographer Professor Ada Yonath, English chemist Sir Harold Walter Kroto, Scottish economist Sir James Mirrlees and Nigerian playwright and poet Professor Wole Soyinka.

Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam attended the opening ceremony of the conference, which was attended by more than 1,500 people.

​Food products on display in Taiwan More than 120 products from Israel were exhibited at the “Open Mind, Open Eye” food show held at supermarkets around Taiwan from 19 November to 3 December.

According to the the Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, the products on display included crackers; seasonings for fish, vegetables and poultry; Red Sea salt; powders to make falafel (deep-fried balls made from chickpeas); tahini, and various spices commonly used for Middle Eastern dishes.

There also some special chewing gum infused with Hoodia

A selection Israeli food products promoted

parviflora to give dieters control over snacking and food cravings.

This was the first time that consumers in Taiwan had the opportunity to choose from so many Israeli products, and some of the products will soon be available for the first time at the six city’super stores in Taipei, New Taipei, Hsinchu and Taichung, according to Israel’s cultural office in Taipei.

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Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

Regional News

Joint health training programme offered Thailand to get tough on firms hiring foreign models

by MASHAV and SCP For the first time in 15 years, the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) and Israel’s Agency for International Development (MASHAV) joined hands to organise the “Training in Health Policy & Community Health Services for Medical Professionals” programme, for participants from Small Island & Developing States (SIDS).

It was conducted by Singapore Health Services from 23 to 27 November at SingHealth. The five-day training programme not only introduced participants to community health policies, but also imparted information about the principles of preventing infectious diseases, with special focus on community health. The programme also educated the participants about Israel’s and Singapore’s experiences on best medical practices and gave a comprehensive overview of the various facets in community health services and to equip the participants with the concepts of marketing health promotion programmes and the principles of disease prevention.

The Employment Department of Thailand’s Labour Ministry and the Thai Modelling Industry and Agencies Association have joined forces in a campaign against the hiring of foreign models without work permits.

Head nurses and administrators

SCP was established to bring together under one framework the various technical assistance programmes offered

by Singapore. It has sponsored training courses and study visits for more than 100,000 officials from over 170 countries.

Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation (Mashav), founded in late 1957, designs, co-ordinates and implements development cooperation programmes for the State of Israel. Mashav concentrates on human and institutional capacity-building by sharing Israel’s own development experience, expertise and technical know-how on innovative technologies and tested methodologies with developing countries.

Speaking about the training programme, the Deputy Chief of Mission of Israel to Singapore, Ms Liat Lazimi-Levi said: “The health care industry in Israel is of an exceptionally high standard, on par with the best of many developed countries such as the US and Western Europe.

Singapore and Israel are well known for their excellence in health research.”

“This joint training programme aims to harnesses the collective energies of the two nations and I am happy to see that by sharing our collective knowledge and expertise with the representatives of the developing countries, we are providing an opportunity for them to learn from these research endeavours,” she added.

The Director-General of the Employment Department, Mr Arak Prommanee, told the Bangkok Post that many male and female models enter Thailand on tourist visas but obtain work as models for various products without first getting the necessary work permits.

Many modelling firms in Thailand liked to hire them, he said, adding that some models were paid as much as 50,000 baht an hour without paying tax.

Many of the models were from countries such as Ukraine, Brazil and Israel, and some of them are under 18 years of age.

“Firms that hire the foreign models without work permits risk being charged with using child labour and forced labour,” Arak said.

Foreign models working

without work permits stand to be charged with violating Section 51 of the Foreign Workers Employment Act of 2008 and are liable to five years’ imprisonment or a fine of 2,000 to 100,000 baht, or both. The firms that employ illegal foreign models are liable to a fine of between 10,000 and 100,000 baht for each model hired.

Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

Sponsored Editorial

F

The Bidding Begins for Dragon 8 years. These are people who are outstanding members of the Hong Kong community.”

ollowing a successful debut last month, a new Hong Kong based auction house aims to carve a big niche thanks to an entrepreneur who helped create the city’s mega wine market.

It’s that tight knit sense of community, combined with a growing appreciation for good wine and fine Whisky that convinced Lempert-Schwarz now is as good a time as any to start an auction house.

Late in November, new Hong Kong auction house Dragon 8 unveiled an impressive collection of high end art, diamonds, wine and Whisky during a two-day event at the Grand Hyatt in Wan Chai. On display were desired works by Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso and historic century old photos from Shanghai alongside 20 carat diamonds, entire assortments of Domaine De La Romanée-Conti and two complete casks from a couple of the world’s most famous distilleries, including Macallan.

Altogether, over 300 lots were auctioned off, garnering considerable headlines, a couple of world records and the announcement that a homegrown company could comfortably sit alongside its bigger international counterparts in the city.

“We are pleased with what happened at that first auction,” says Dragon 8 Auctions Founder Gil LempertSchwarz. “We achieved a few things that we didn’t expect to, like a new World record for a Macallan 1990 cask. There was also a surprise generous attendee who bid about US$10,000 on a huge bottle of Cristal champagne and treated everyone in the room!”

For Lempert-Schwarz, starting the company was a natural progression after his lengthy stint as a consultant and auctioneer at the world’s biggest wine auction house.

Once changes were made to wine taxation laws in Hong Kong, the auctions generated hundreds of millions of dol-

Gil Lempert-Schwarz

lars. “Wine was a catalyst for the Hong Kong auction scene in general,” says LempertSchwarz. “Suddenly the city was seen as much more of an auction center. Before, it was New York and London. Now, it’s Hong Kong – and for more than just wine. Today it’s the world’s largest centre for contemporary art and a significant market for jewelry too.”

not amazing,” he says. “The Handover time was certainly an important time and was seminal in the history of the city. It’s a place where you can really live your dreams.”

It wasn’t always that way though. When LempertSchwarz first arrived in Hong Kong back in 1989 from Denmark, he experienced a roller coaster ride as the city faced uncertainty in the wake of the Tiananmen Square incident, followed by what many remember as the great nineties boom years.

“I came out here from Denmark to visit my parents and two younger brothers who had all moved here and quickly realized what an awesome city it was,” says Lempert-Schwarz.

“My memories and impressions of the city are nothing if

Dragon 8 auction attendees desired a cask of their own

Bidding was heated for this prized lot

Since his father was Dean of the Dental Faculty at Hong Kong University, the family ingratiated themselves into the community. That included extensive time spent with members of the Ohel Leah Synagogue, where his mother was instrumental in creating the influential Sunbeam Children’s Foundation for orphans in China.

“That synagogue is a historical place with a very tight knit community,” Lempert-Schwarz recalls. “Between that and the American Club, there have been dinners, education nights, parties and more. As a result, I developed longstanding and good friendships that have lasted 25

Other factors weighed in too. There are the close contacts with winemakers and vineyard owners in several different countries, most notably France.

There are the dozens of auctions that he personally helmed as an auctioneer. He also gathered an experienced group around him.

“I’ve got a good team of people at Dragon-8 who know what they’re doing,” he says. “And I’d been helping other people become successful for a long time. Even though the economy is not the best right now, this is actually the best time to get in.

If you’re doing well when it’s tough, things are only going to get better.”

The ball really got rolling once the name – Dragon 8 – was conceived. Though LempertSchwarz is a longtime believer in many Eastern concepts, it was actually his wife Christine (a published author herself) who came up with the name as a pairing of the dragon and the number eight. “We were talking about powerful mythological creatures and numbers. The name came about as a combination of the dragon projecting power, strength and seeing the big picture combined with the number eight, which represents fortune and good luck,” he says.

The next step was the debut auction, an intimate two-day affair which saw guests able to enjoy a selection of fine wine and good food while taking part in the event. Now the aim is to hold four or more auctions a year, with another one due to take place right before Chinese New Year in 2016 (before February 8th). “Dragon 8 represents a new approach to auctions,” says Lempert-Schwarz.

“During the event, guests can kick back and relax while bidding. It’s not a tense, stuffy atmosphere, but rather, a casual fun one. And still, all the mechanisms are in place to make it work, whether that be private previews or overseas bidding.

We want to have a great mutual beneficial relationship with our guests.”

A 20.41 carat diamond on offer

If Lempert-Schwarz has his way, there will be many other plans ahead for Dragon 8. In addition to sourcing great wine, Whisky and art from around the world, he encourages residents from Hong Kong and other Asian cities to come forward with their own collections for appraisal.

There will also be fine selections of wine available in between auctions, as well as special tastings, private dinners and other events. “I know the ins and outs of this entire world and all of us at Dragon 8 really want to break the mold, while building a sense of trust and value for clients and friends,” says LempertSchwarz.

“So I really encourage people to seek us out and to attend our auctions. And, in the case of wine, it’s an investment that’s incredibly solid over time. You can absolutely put money on certain vintages of top Chateaux and Domaines like a blue chip stock.

The difference is that you can still drink a great wine if something bad happens to the market!”

For more details about Dragon 8 visit their website at www.dragon-8.com Call: (852) 2877-8008 Contact: stella@dragon-8.com gil@dragon-8.com

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Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

Business News

Chinese visitors meet hi-tech representatives in Haifa

Vietnam buys Israeli Air Defense System

Around 150 Chinese investors participated in the China-Israel Hi-Tech Investment Summit held at the Dan Carmel hotel in Haifa on 2 November.

To enhance its air defense capacity, Vietnam has purchased the SPYDER air defense system, a senior military official said on the portal of the Vietnam People’s Army on 20 October. The system is developed and manufactured

by Israeli firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.

The summit introduced venture capital and private equity fund managers, CEOs and owners of Chinese firms to some 50 Israeli high-tech companies focusing on cleantech, medical devices, telecommunications and media.

“It is currently difficult for Israeli companies to break into the Chinese market without a strategic, local partner,” said Dafna Linenberg, the founder of consulting firm YHT, which hosted the conference in close co-operation with the Haifa municipality. She continued: “The Chinese market is complicated, complex and layered. It is very difficult to operate there. If you are a small Israeli company, you do not have the resources to operate there without a local partner – for both marketing and

Attendees at the summit

regulatory purposes. Few companies work in China without a local partner.”

“There are many Israeli companies that are willing to set up a joint venture with a Chinese firm instead of raising capital the usual way,” she said.

“Those funds are designated for Chinese operations, not for entering the US market or paying dividends. In the past, that condition was unacceptable for Israeli companies.”

Linenberg also emphasised the changes occurring in China.

China funding for WakingApp According to GlobesNewswire, Israeli startup WakingApp, which provides tools for the quick and easy creation of augmented and virtual reality content, has raised US$4.3 million in Series C funding from Youzu Interactive and one of largest Internet and search companies in China.

Funds from the round will be used to expand the company’s AR/VR platform offerings, ENTiTi Creator and ENTiTi Viewer, and to expand its sales, marketing and business development in the US and China.

The two Chinese companies join existing investors Inimiti VC and Globis Capital in the round. For Youzu, an entertainment company specialising in online game development and distribution, this is its first investment in an Israeli-based startup and represents an opportunity to move AR/VR content creation tools into the Chinese market.

WakingApp is led by president and founder Alon Melchner and CEO Udi Shani. Based in Rosh Ha’ayin and founded in 2013, the company has developed a groundbreaking AR/VR platform to enable any person, even someone with no prior programming experience, to create advanced interactive augmented reality and virtual reality content that includes live data feeds, high-quality 3D imaging

and animation, and games.

Content can be created and distributed quickly and easily with the ENTiTi platform and is accessible online on smartphones, tablets and leading smart glasses without the need for additional devices.

“The entry of Chinese investors, and their confidence in the company, brings significant market exposure to WakingApp and provides an unrivalled access point to the Chinese market. The AR/VR space is developing fast, and with our investment partners, we are moving quickly to make sure every pair of smart glasses sold in the months ahead can have amazing content for users and provide brands with new opportunities to connect with customers,” Udi Shani commented.

“In the past few years, the word ‘innovation’ has been pushed by the Chinese government. There is growing encouragement from the Chinese government on the technology front, seeking to adopt innovation and be innovative. China is moving from ‘Made in China’ to ‘Innovate in China’. They no longer want to be the world’s factory; they want to own the technologies, and the moment the government encourages innovation and not exports, the market responds appropriately.”

The Air Defense and Air Force Service of Vietnam has actively carried out many projects to improve the durability and capacity of its weapons and technical equipment, Lieutenant General Le Huy Vinh, Commander of the Air Defense and Air Force Service, said in an article published on the website.

miles. This truck-mounted system combines radar and optical tracking to guide a combination of short- to medium-range airto-air missiles as a versatile system adapted for a wider range of threats. The air defense initiative is to protect the country’s national airspace.

SPYDER is a system of advanced short-range and medium-range air defense missiles.

It is designed to destroy airborne targets such as aircraft, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) 24/7 in any weather conditions, according to Rafael.

SPYDER is a surface-toair missile system capable of launching the company’s Python-5 and Derby Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missiles. The missiles have a range of between 12 and 30

Sharon Ser and Samantha Gershon, of Withers, wish everyone Chanukah Sameach and the very best for 2016

“For some time now, we have been seeking to invest in AR/VR technology, as it is on the verge of influencing every aspect of our lives. It is an industry that is projecting 13,000% growth in three years and revenues of US$150 billion in five years,” said Daniel Chen Fan, Investment Director of Youzu Interactive.

“What impresses us about WakingApp is its ability to overcome a great user barrier by simplifying the way one creates AR/VR content, and we plan to bring this revolution to the Chinese market,” he added.

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Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

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Business News

Israel will be introducing a new visa for foreign workers, specifically geared towards hitech and the startup sector.

A first batch of around 50 so-called “innovation visas” will be approved for two years and given to foreign professionals employed by a select group of companies. Twelve established companies will be the first beneficiaries of the visas. Meanwhile, the programme is expected to expand to allow visa holders the ability to set up new firms later. Tel Aviv Global, an arm of the city’s municipal government, and Israeli Chief Scientist Vai Hasson have been pushing for the visa for years.

“We expect an immense response on the part of entrepreneurs as this programme helps them develop ideas and establish unique startup companies,” said Hasson.

Current visa rules are strict in Israel, requiring companies to justify a foreign hire by proving they cannot find an Israeli who can match a foreign candidate’s skills. The Wall Street Journal last year featured a story on how

those laws might be hurting the country’s appeal to globetrotting entrepreneurs.

“I have real trouble explaining what I do when travelling,” Elephone CTO Bob Singor of the Netherlands said last year.

“And the security checks just drag on and on.”

Globally, Israel is behind the ball in tailoring a new kind of visa to attract technology experts from abroad and transform them into anchors for foreign investment into the local economy. The UK, Chile, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, New Zealand and Germany all have similar visas, according to The Wall Street Journal. Australia already offers a “business innovation visa” that some like StartupAUS want augmented

into an “entrepreneur visa”.

Visa holders who want to stay in Israel will have the chance to re-apply or to put in for an “expert visa” if they want to launch new ventures within Israeli borders. Their current employers would also be eligible for grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist, according to Israeli financial paper Calcalist.

“Israel is positioned as a centre of innovation and leader of [technological] development,” said the country’s Economy Minister Aryeh Deri. “We have to hold on to this achievement. The innovation visa will let foreign entrepreneurs from the world over develop new ideas in Israel and aid market growth.”

Softbank invests in Cybereason Japanese-based Softbank Corp announced recently that it has made an investment of around US$50 million in Cybereason, an Israel-based company that is involved in providing real-time alert and defence against cyber threats.

Cybereason provides a detection and response platform in real-time attacks and accelerates incident investigation and response. It also connects together individual pieces of evidence to form a complete picture of a malicious operation.

The cyber security firm plans to open an office in Japan, while the investing company, Softbank, will act as a local distributor.

The cyber security startup is headquartered in Boston, US, but maintains a research and development segment in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Israeli equivalent of the National Security Agency, Cybereason was founded in 2012 and has been witnessing some funding rounds recently.

Just last May, it attracted US$25 million worth of funding from Lockheed Martin, an aerospace giant.

Softbank Corp., the investing company, is a subsidiary of the Japanese telecommunications giant Softbank Group Corp., which dominates the local Internet and communications landscape.

ELouiz Green

Israel announces “innovation visas” for foreign professionals

Cybereason founders, from left: Yossi Naar, Lior Div and Yonatan Amit

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Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

Business News

Israeli Diamond Pavilion at November HKJMA Show The Israeli diamond industry returned to the Hong Kong International Jewellery Manufacturers’ Show (HKJMA), which was held from 26 to 29 November at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Last year was the first time that Israel had a national pavilion at the show. This year, the Israeli Diamond Pavilion, organised by the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI), hosted 27 companies, 10 of them participating in the show for the first time.

The HKJMA show features fine jewellery, loose diamonds, pearls and coloured gemstones,

was available at a dedicated terminal at the pavilion. Moreover, buyers were able to access “Find Your Diamond” on their smartphones. In addition, IDI was a sponsor of the HKJMA 27th Anniversary Dinner held on 26 November, where the 2015 Miss Jewellery Hong Kong pageant took place.

and attracts buyers from China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia and other parts of Asia Pacific. IDI Managing Director Eli

Israeli-owned Chinese company acquires John Bryce operations in China John Bryce, a specialist hitech training company, has been acquired by a new company, TRIG.

TRIG is owned by Zvi Shalgo and Ron Efron, both seasoned entrepreneurs in China, while John Bryce is the training division of Matrix, Israel’s leading IT company.

Apart from the hi-tech training division, the new company will offer computerised adaptive testing for employees and talents in the Chinese market.

An approved vendor to some of the biggest corporations in China, TRIG will also represent Western companies offering HR management software and applications services.

The latter activity is based on an algorithm developed in Israel by a leading team of organisational psychologists and software experts. The Chinese version of the system has been adapted to Chinese cultural, language and behavioural norms to ensure effective and accurate talent assessment.

Zvi Shalgo, the major investor in TRIG, is the founder of PTL Group China, and had served until a year ago as its CEO. The Group supports the operations of many foreign technology companies in China, providing them with outsource management and operational services in the Chinese market.

Among other initiatives, Shalgo was also a co-founder of John Bryce China. His partner, Ron Efron, has over 18 years’ experience in China, focusing on organisational computing and integration of security solutions in Asia and in the Chinese market. A partner CEO in the

Avidar commented that the timing of the show enables buyers to stock up on last-minute purchases before the busy holiday season.

IDI’s “Find Your Diamond” system, which enables buyers to search a computerised database, in both English and Chinese, for exactly the goods they seek among the Israeli exhibitors,

Asia is Israel’s secondlargest market for polished diamonds, accounting for about 30% of its total exports. Hong Kong trade shows have been a strategic focus for the Israeli diamond industry for many years, and IDI has organised huge national pavilions at shows in March, June and September.

Last year the HKJMA show was added to IDI’s trade show calendar, and it has been welcomed as an additional opportunity to meet Asian buyers.

IDI Chairman Moti Ganz said that he was pleased that Is-

Moti Ganz

raeli diamond companies were returning to the show. “With the addition of the HKJMA show, we’re able to offer Israeli companies an additional opportunity to exhibit in Hong Kong. Asia is a strategic market for the Israeli diamond industry. While these markets have undergone a slowdown they are still growing and we are optimistic about this show,” Ganz said.

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new company is Yoav Chernitz, formerly CEO of John Bryce China.

TRIG intends to represent other innovative technologies in addition to its own technology in the Chinese market, and will represent Israeli and foreign companies offering software and advanced applications services for human capital management.

“There is currently great demand for technological training in China,” said Shalgo. “In addition, China suffers a significant problem of human resources: as the Chinese market is changing from a production-based economy to technology and advanced services, it gets harder to find skilled employees and talents for management and development jobs. Finding the right candidate in China’s scales and numbers is like finding a needle in a haystack, which is why the trend of high-level adaptive tests is gathering momentum.”

John Bryce entered China seven years ago. Since then, the company has trained more than 15,000 engineers and managers from China top high-tech firms.

China’s professional training sector was worth about US$12 billion in 2014.

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Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

Art • Culture • Music

Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra to return to Singapore

17th Tel Aviv Piano Festival

Highly regarded and acclaimed classical music conductor Maestro Zubin Mehta, with the inspiring 110-member Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO), will be performing at Singapore’s Esplanade Concert Hall on 7 January 2016.

The concert will celebrate both Maestro Mehta’s 80th birthday and the 80th season of the IPO. The mesmerising programme features classical masterpieces with German, French and Russian origins: Beethoven’s Leonore Overture 3, Ravel’s La Valse and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 6 “Pathetique”. These are considered the greatest works of the respective composers, and are the perfect compositions for this auspicious double celebration.

Bestowed with the title of

Zubin Mehta

Artists performing at the festival

Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

Musical Director for Life by the IPO, Mehta conducted the orchestra in a sold-out performance in Singapore in 2014.

It was attended by members of parliament and dignitaries including Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and Israel’s Ambassador to Singapore Yael Rubinstein.

Mehta’s première performance in Singapore was at the Victoria Concert Hall in 1984, with the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew a guest in the audience. Mehta remembers the occasion well: “I spoke to the former Prime Minister about building a larger concert hall in Singapore at the time. Now there is the Esplanade Concert Hall and it will be the first time conducting the Israel Philharmonic in this wonderful venue.”

Renowned pianist Alberto Nose to perform in Hong Kong Maestro Performances Hong Kong will be presenting renowned Chopin Prize Winner pianist Alberto Nose in a concert on 24 January at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall.

Nose was born in Verona, Italy, in 1979. He gained his first recognition at the age of eleven, winning First Prize in the Jugend für Mozart International Competition in Salzburg, thanks to which he held his first concert tour around Italy, Austria and France.

Alberto Nose

He then went on to win prizes at several prestigious international piano competitions, including the Piano-Masters in Montecarlo in 2015, Paloma O’Shea in Santander in 2005 and F. Chopin in Warsaw in 2000. He has played at many of the world’s major concert halls, and is regularly invited to important concert series in France, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Spain, the US, Mexico, South America, China and Japan.

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In Hong Kong, Nose previously played in 2012 and 2014, to packed houses. The programme for his 24 January concert will include works by Chopin and Liszt.

Maestro HK (Maestro Performances Hong Kong) is a non-profit music organsation that aims at promoting classical music in Hong Kong. Its Artistic Director, Joanna Li, is one of Hong Kong’s leading pianists and piano instructor and taught many students who have gone on to win many international piano prizes.

Within the complex of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, the 17th Tel Aviv Piano Festival took place from 21 to 24 October, as over 250 artists took to the stage in over 60 performances.

“We look forward to receiving Maestro Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra once The festival gives both vetagain to Singapore in January eran performers and young new 2016,” enthused Michelle Sas- piano musicians the opportunity soon, COO of Sunvic Produc- to play a range of piano styles tions Pte Ltd, the official organ- for enthusiastic audiences from iser for Maestro Zubin Mehta near and far. This year’s event and the IPO. “With an inspiring featured collaborative perforstory to share, both the young mances, indie artists and pieces and the old can learn so much written especially for 1the7/12/15 festiHKB_NUTCRACKER_Ad_JewishTimesAsia_JP_20151203.pdf val. from the Maestro himself.”

The piano genres on offer included rock, jazz, classical, Mediterranean, Gospel and folk music. There was also a programme for children, with three separate performances for the whole family to enjoy.

The move to house the festival in the Tel Aviv Museum of Art complex points to how much the festival has expanded in recent years. In addition to the traditional performance halls, musical interludes also tookpmplace within the art exhibi1:40 tions of the museum.

Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

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Art • Culture • Music

Kisufim - The Jerusalem Conference of Jewish Writers and Poets The Jerusalem Conference of Jewish Writers and Poets, Kisufim, held its fourth conference from 23 to 27 November in Mishkenot Shaananim, Beit Avichai and Tmol Shilshom in Jerusalem. It brings together Jewish authors, poets and intellectuals from Israel and around the world to participate in a fourday literary journey.

Guided by the theme of “Identity and Otherness”, the conference serves as a unique encounter between the finest Jewish writers and poets active today and seeks to emphasise the significance of Jewish culture in Jewish life. The founder and artistic director of Kisufim is Hava Pinhas-Cohen.

Participants in this year’s

Mehmet Yashin

Art restitution in Asia

Gabi Gleichmann

conference included Jennifer Barber (US), Haim Beer (Israel), Michel Eckhard Elial (France), Marcia Falk (US), Gabi Gleichmann (Hungary-Sweden-Norway), David Grossman (Israel), Ilya Kaminsky (FSU-US), Etgar Keret (Israel), Kari Klemelä (Finland), Sami Michael (Israel), Myriam Moscona (Mexico), Tomislav Osmanli (Macedonia), Mehmet Yashin (Cyprus-Turkey) and Galina Zelenina (Russia), among others.

Kisufim offers participants an opportunity to discuss some of the most pressing questions regarding Israeli and Jewish literature today, such as Jewish identity in contemporary art, the nature of Jewish literature Half page ad for Jewish Times (Dec-Jan)_1119_OP.pdf 1 19/11/15 上午11:48after Jeniffer Barber the Holocaust, the role of trans-

Left to right: Dr Mark Kielsgard, Audrey Shum, Jonathan Stone, Hannah Lessing and Ben Freeman

Liudmila Ulitskaja

lation in Jewish literature, and how to confront the new antiSemitism in a world that has a Jewish state.

Throughout the four days of the conference, public readings of poetry and prose were held, as well as discussions and workshops with poets and writers in various languages, including Yiddish.

The Hong Kong Holocaust & Tolerance Centre (HKHTC), along with the Austrian Consul General, hosted Hannah Lessing at the Asia Society on 23 November. The discussion focused on the challenges Holocaust survivors face to reclaim lost and stolen personal artworks.

Lessing, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, is the Secretary General for the Austrian National Fund, the organisation responsible for dealing with art restitution and compensation for victims of National Socialism.

Hannah spoke on a panel, moderated by HKHTC Direc-

tor of Education Ben Freeman, alongside Audrey Shum, Senior Vice President, Head of Legal Asia at Christie’s; Jonathan Stone, International Business Director at Christie’s, and Dr. Mark Kielsgard, an Assistant Professor at City University Hong Kong.

It was a fascinating look at repercussions of the Holocaust that are still facing us today. Art restitution, a particularly popular issue since the Helen Mirren film Woman in Gold, is a complex subject, and the experts from the fields of art and Holocaust and genocide awareness and remembrance helped audience-members to understand it in greater detail.

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Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

Art • Culture • Music

7th Hong Kong International Chamber Music Festival

Art workshop in Nepal

Premiere Performances of Hong Kong has announced its lineup for the 7th Hong Kong International Chamber Music Festival, which will take place from 20 to 27 January 2016.

Since its launch in 2009, the Festival has earned a reputation in Hong Kong for its world-class performances and has quickly become a cultural landmark on the Hong Kong cultural calendar.

International, Chinese and local musicians are coming together at the invitation of returning Artistic Director, worldrenowned violinist Cho-Liang Lin, to participate in this unique festival, the only one in Hong Kong dedicated to chamber music.

The Festival artists have been specially chosen for their exceptional ability to play this type of repertoire. Performers include the Emerson String Quartet, which ranks among the highest levels of chamber

Cho-liang Lin

The Emerson String Quartet

music in the world; pianists Jon Kimura Parker and rising star Zhang Zuo; and Martin Beaver and Clive Greensmith, former members of the Tokyo String Quartet. Jewish artists returning include cellist Gary Hoffman and violist Paul Neubauer.

Other Jewish performers at the festival are Phil Setzer and Eugene Drucker (violinists in the Emerson Quartet) and Toby Hoffman, violist.

The event promises to be a unique ensemble of musicians - a musical journey leading to interesting discoveries.

The Festival venues include the Concert Hall at Hong Kong City Hall, the Grand Hall at the Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre at Hong Kong University, and, for the first time, the Hong Kong Maritime Museum.

In addition to the five concerts, the Festival also includes more than 20 free Outreach & Education events designed to enhance people’s concert-going experience and their under-

Ambassador Yaron Mayer meeting art students

Paul Neubauer

standing of the music. British violinist Leo Phillips, former concertmaster of the Nash Ensemble, is returning as the leader of the Outreach program.

The Asia Society Hong Kong Center, the Festival’s Outreach Partner, will host many of these free events.

Gary Hoffman

The 19th International Harp Contest The 19th International Harp Contest in Israel is currently taking place. The contest opened on 23 November, was hosted in the magnificent Knights’ Halls in Old Acre, a city declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

A gala festive concert opened the contest. Harpist Anais Gaudemard, who won the 18th Contest in 2012, was the soloist at that concert.

The International Harp Contest in Israel is the first competition in the world to be held for the harp, and has been held every three years since it was founded in 1959. Worldrenowned conductor Maestro

Mai Fukui

To celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations between Israel and Nepal, Israel’s Embassy in Nepal, in collaboration with Bajra Art Mandal, conducted an art workshop in November at Jagat Sundar Bwonakuthi, a government school in Dallu.

More than 100 primaryand secondary-level students showed their enthusiasm and talent during the workshop, with the help of art teachers.

Before the workshop in Nepal, renowned Israeli artist Ted Barr, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel, and more than 200 Israeli artists, had collected paints and painting materials in Israel for the benefit of Nepali children following the devastating 25 April 2015 earthquake there.

The collected art materials were distributed through the embassy in Kathmandu and Bajra Art Mandal. Barr had also visited Nepal two years ago at the invitation of the Patan Museum and the Embassy of Israel, and was involved in several art workshops for artists and local students.

Yaron Mayer, Israel’s Ambassador to Nepal, enjoyed the November workshop with the children. Speaking to the participating students and the Nepali organisers, ambassador Mayer said: “‘Kathmandu Colors’ symbolises the collaboration between the peoples of our two countries and the love they have for each other. These colours are not mere colours but a hope towards light, and they add colour in their lives.”

The workshop was made even more lively by a musical piece performed by Israeli saxophonist Elad Gellert, who was on a visit to Nepal to participate in the Jazzmandu festival.

The musician also visited Child Protection Home, an organisation that provides a safe and caring environment for rescued dependent children of imprisoned parents, and entertained the children, bringing smiles to their innocent faces.

Gellert also visited another Israeli NGO, Tevel b’Tzedek, which works mainly on postearthquake community development.

Israeli Film Festival in Myanmar The third annual Israeli Film Festival, celebrating 62 years of diplomatic relations between Israel and Myanmar, was held at the JCGV Square Cinema (Junction Square) on 26 and 27 October.

Anais Gaudemard

Zubin Mehta serves as the Honorary President of the contest.

Twenty-six contestants from all over the world are participating this year, and the final stage will take place in December. The first prize, a gold concert grand harp valued at US$55,000, is traditionally donated by harp manufacturers Lyon & Healy of Chicago. A special prize will be donated by the Mayor of Acre.

Other monetary prizes are also generously donated by friends and supporters.

The contest has also encouraged original compositions for

the harp, and an Israeli work is commissioned for each contest.

The Propes Prize, for the best performance of the required Israeli composition, will be awarded in 2015 for the best performance of the newly composed Mizmor Shir by Menachem Wiezenberg.

The contest is sponsored by the Government of Israel, the Culture and Arts Administration at the Ministry of Culture & Sport, the City of Akko, the Old Acre Development Company Ltd, Lyon & Healy, and foundations and individuals in Israel and abroad.

This year’s festival, which aimed to celebrate cultural co-operation between the two countries, showcased four films.

The opening presentation was Leonid Prudovsky’s Five Hours from Paris, a comedy about an Israeli man and a Russian immigrant woman. Also shown was The Band’s Visit, by director Eran Kolirin, about the

The Band’s Visit

arrival of the eight members of Egypt’s Alexandria Ceremonial Police Orchestra in Israel and the ensuing miscommunication.

The award-winning film Campfire by Israeli director Joseph Cedar illustrates the story of one woman’s personal battle for acceptance and a movement that affected millions of lives in the Middle East. The final film was The Barbecue People, which details an Israeli immigrant family’s life and love.

The film is full of twists and turns, and gains momentum as it moves toward its unexpected conclusion.

Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

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Art • Culture • Music

Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival delivers a wide range of films to suit all tastes

Attendees at the film festival

Yael Bronner Rubin

Debby Amias with Ori Gruder

ers were inspired by films with strong storylines and brave protagonists taking fate into their hands and overcoming a multitude of challenges.

Also well attended were films that were followed by lively Q&A sessions. Ori Gruder captivated the audience with the story of his personal religious journey and the making Yael Bronner Rubin

The rooftop party kicked off a packed week-long programme of films to suit all tastes, on the theme of “Resilience”. View-

Yael Bronner Rubin

Over 200 people mingled in the warm night air and enjoyed wine, cheese and a delicious array of desserts following a screening of the Hong Kong première of Sabena Hijacking: My Version. The docudrama recalls a real-life episode that riveted the Israeli public in 1972, and the story also kept the opening night audience on the edge of their seats.

Yael Bronner Rubin

The Asia Society’s unique rooftop garden, with its stunning views of the Hong Kong skyline, provided the setting for the opening night celebration of the 16th annual Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival on 14 November.

of Sacred Sperm. Galia Albin spoke movingly about My Mayim, which offers a child’s perspective of divorce, while Osnat Sharon led a discussion about “chained women” following the packed screening of The Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem.

Hong Kong resident Hadar Shabat presented her experiences of serving in the IDF following Beneath the Helmet, and on the last day of the festival Denes Ban offered insights into the roller-coaster world of startups after the screening of Silicon Wadi. As in previous years, audiences were asked to vote for the best documentary and feature. Winner of the 2015 Feature Award was Fauda, while Rock

THE HK

Israeli TV production firm opens Asian office

Rooftop deserts on the opening night

in the Red Zone won the 2015 Documentary Film Award.

“We were delighted to partner once again with the Asia Society, Hong Kong Center, and to show an exceptional lineup of films in such a beautiful setting,” said Debby Amias, Chairperson of the HKJFF.

“We had record numbers this year, with a mix of familiar and new faces, whom we hope to welcome again. We have had such positive audience feedback we are already excited for the 2016 Festival,” added Debby.

Keshet International has announced the opening of an Asian office in Hong Kong and the hiring of veteran TV executive Gary Pudney as head of Asia.

The global distribution and production arm of Israel’s Keshet Media Group said the move was a continuation of its recent strategy of inking licensing deals with Asian partners of its formats, as well as buying rights to Asian IP for third-party distribution and production in the US.

Recently, Keshet International signed a licensing deal with China’s Huace-Croton Media for its comedies Traffic Light and Loaded. The company also acquired worldwide rights to the high-rating Chinese talent show Not A Star Yet in 2014.

Pudney will report to Keshnet International CEO Alon Shtruzman, and will co-operate with Kelly Wright, sales director for Asia and Latin America.

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Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

he Ophel excavations at the foot of the southern wall of the Temple Mount, conducted by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Institute of Archaeology under the direction of Dr. Eilat Mazar, have unearthed an impression of the royal seal of King Hezekiah (727–698 BCE).

Measuring 9.7 X 8.6 mm, the oval impression was imprinted on a 3 mm-thick soft bulla (piece of inscibed clay) measuring 13 X 12 mm. Around the impression is the depression left by the frame of the ring in which the seal was set. The impression bears an inscription in ancient Hebrew script: “Belonging to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz king of Judah” and a two-winged sun, with wings turned downward, flanked by two ankh symbols symbolisng life.

The bulla originally sealed a document written on a papyrus rolled and tied with thin

King Hezekiah’s Royal Seal

cords, which left their mark on the reverse of the bulla. This bulla came to light, together with many pottery shards and other finds such as figurines and seals, in Area A of the excavations (2009 season), supervised

by Hagai Cohen-Klonymus.

The bulla was discovered in a refuse dump dated to the time of King Hezekiah or shortly after, and originated in the Royal Building that stood next to it and appears to have been used to store foodstuffs.

This building, one of a series of structures that also included a gatehouse and towers, was constructed in the second half of the 10th century BCE (the time of King Solomon) as part of the fortifications of the Ophel, the new governmental quarter that was built in the area that connects the City of David with the Temple Mount.

The bulla was found together with 33 additional bullae imprinted from other seals, some bearing Hebrew names, their reverse showing marks of coarse fabric and thick cords that probably sealed sacks containing foodstuffs.

Dr. Eilat Mazar said: “Although seal impressions bearing King Hezekiah’s name have already been known from the antiquities market since the middle of the 1990s, some with a winged scarab (dung beetle) symbol and others with a winged sun, this is the first time that a seal impression of an Israelite or Judean king has ever come to light in a scientific archaeological excavation.”

King Hezekiah is described favourably in the Bible (II Kings, Isaiah, II Chronicles) as well as in the chronicles of the Assyrian kings-Sargon II and his son Sennacherib—who ruled during his time. Hezekiah is depicted as a resourceful and daring king, who centralised power in his hands. Although he was an Assyrian vassal, he successfully maintained the independent standing of the Judean Kingdom and its capital Jerusalem, which he enhanced economically, religiously, and diplomatically.

The Bible relates of Hezekiah that “there was none like him among all the kings of Judah af-

ter him, nor among those before him” (II Kings 18:5).

The symbols on the seal impression from the Ophel suggest that they were made late in his life, when both the Royal administrative authority and the King’s personal symbols changed from the winged scarab (dung beetle)—the symbol of power and rule that had been familiar throughout the Ancient Near East, to that of the winged sun—a motif that proclaimed God’s protection. This gave the regime its legitimacy and power, also widespread throughout the Ancient Near East and used by the Assyrian Kings.

Andrew Shiva

T

King Hezekiah’s royal seal discovered

Ouria Tadmor

18

The Ophel excavations at the foot of the southern wall of the Temple Mount

Jewish Communities in Asia?

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Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

T

International Council Of Jewish Women

he International Council Of Jewish Wo m e n ( I C J W ) represents Jewish women from all walks of life in many important international forums and is strategically positioned to confront and respond to the concerns of the Jewish community and women in general.

Globally every Jewish woman has the opportunity to align herself with ICJW which comprises a huge network of like-minded women working together for the betterment of all women.

Believing

19

that

women’s

Pope Francis meeting the former President of ICJW Sara Winkowski, former President of Uruguay Affiliate and currently sits on the World Jewish Congress

ICJW priority campaigns

ICJW President Robyn Lenn OAM

rights are human rights, ICJW lobbies for an end to discrimination against women in all spheres of life. In its battle against intolerance, ICJW campaigns alongside people of goodwill to combat racism, anti-Semitism and all forms of religious discrimination. ICJW at all times stands in support of Israel.

International Council of Jewish Women has consultative status as a non-government organisation (NGO) with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and maintains permanent delegations at the UN in New York, Geneva, Vienna and at UNESCO in Paris.

ICJW is also strongly repre-

Vivien Brass ICJW Chair, Asia Pacific Region

sented at the World Jewish Congress, the Council of Europe, European Women’s Lobby, Religions for Peace and the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture.

In the spirit of Tikkun Olam – repairing the world – our independent affiliates and their regional divisions choose their own action priorities. Our affiliates and members in 34 countries are involved in a wide range of volunteer activities, offering care services for needy populations, promoting grassroots social welfare projects, providing leadership training for communal activists, and advocating on issues of local and national concern.

Since its establishment in 1912, the International Council of Jewish Women has given a voice to Jewish women around the world and has stood on a platform for advocacy and action on the issues that concern us.

• Advancement of the Status of Women • Advocating for the Status of Women in Jewish Law • Improving Interfaith and Intercultural Relations • The Environment & Sustainable Development • Combating Human Trafficking

Within each of these priority areas, ICJW’s affiliates can choose to focus their own advocacy activities on a particular area as it affects their community as well as the wider world.

They may also choose their action priorities to include social welfare and community service projects, helping women, children, the elderly, and all who are disadvantaged,organising adult education and volunteer

and leadership training events, and advocating on issues of local and national concern.

ICJW would welcome an opportunity to reach out and engage with Jewish women in the Asia Pacific Region.

We advocate on behalf of Agunot! Against trafficking of women and children, have representatives at the UN and much more. We look forward to hearing from you.

ICJW representatives in Geneva attending a UN regional review meeting

We welcome enquiries, Please contact: Vivien Brass, Chair, ICJW Asia Pacific Region Email: vivien.brass@gmail.com www.icjw.org

20

Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

21

Chanukah

The Festival of Lights -the 8 day miracle

C

hanukah also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated in the Jewish month of Kislev. It begins on eve of the 25th and lasts for eight days. The festival celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration, of spirituality over materiality.

It is the first non-biblical holiday to be incorporated into

the Jewish calendar. The holiday finds its roots in real historical events occurring in the Graeco-Syrian Empire around 175 B.C.E. The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication.” Led

by Matitiyahu, and later his son Judah the Maccabee, this small band of pious Jews led a guerrilla warfare against the Syrian-Greek army. The Syrian Greek empire led by Antiochus sent thousands

The Festival of Chanukah has some significant characterisitcs with the number 8.

The world was created in seven days. There are seven notes in the musical scale, seven days of the week. Therefore, the number seven represents the physical world that we can touch and smell and feel.

The number eight, on the other hand, transcends the natural world.

That is why the miraculous days of Chanukah are eight. Though eight emanates from beyond our senses, your soul can still reach out and be touched by its force.

The Greeks had a particular dislike of the Jewish practice of Brit Milah, the circumcision of a baby boy on the eighth day after his birth.

In fact, they outlawed the practice of Brit Milah.

Today we light our menorahs for eight days to recall this miracle and to be inspired by its message. On a deeper level, the days of Chanukah are eight days of transcendence. Days of opportunity to look both within ourselves and beyond, to sense that there is far more to our existence than the world of nature could ever contain.

of well-armed troops to crush the rebellion, but after three years against incredible odds the Maccabees won, miraculously succeeding in driving the foreigners from their land.

Jewish fighters entered Jerusalem and found the Holy Temple in shambles and desecrated with idols. The Maccabees cleansed the Temple and re-dedicated it on the 25th of Kislev.

When they recaptured the Holy Temple from the Greeks, the first thing they did was light the golden Menorah. They had only enough oil to last for one day, and new oil would take seven days to prepare. But a miracle happened. Instead of burning for one day, the Menorah stayed lit for eight days.

lights for any purpose other than “viewing,” The main requirement is that the candles must burn for at least 30 minutes after nightfall.

During the Chanukah holiday we are obligated to light our own Menorah, one candle for each night of the festival.

One additional candle is added, known as the Shamash and is used to light the others. We are forbidden to use the Chanukah

A number of customs have developed during the festival, especially eating “oily” foods like fried potato latkes (pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), in commemoration of the miracle of the oil. Giving Chanukah gelt (coins) to children and spinning the dreidel,

Our obligation during the Festival

Customs

a four-sided top with a Hebrew letter on each side. The letters on the dreidel are; nun, gimmel, hey, shin the first letters of Nes Gadol Haya Sham / A great miracle happened there. (In Israel, the last letter is a Pey / here.)

On Chanukah we also add Hallel and Al HaNissim in our daily prayers to offer praise and thanksgiving to G-d for “delivering the strong into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few... the wicked into the hands of the righteous.”

We are dedicated to promoting trade and development between Hong Kong SAR and Israel for mutual benefit.

Our loyalties lie first and foremost with our members, acting as their voice in advising and sharing with Hong Kong officials, matters affecting businesses and the economy, providing members with business information and facilitating networking through a variety of chamber activities.

If all countries work together, we could overcome all difficulties on the road ahead and the risk, in promoting lasting peace and common prosperity.

Wishing all Communities in Asia Happy Chanukah

Rafael Aharoni Chairman

The Israeli Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong c/o The Jewish Community Centre, One Robinson Place, 70 Robinson Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong Tel. 852-2312-1111 Fax. 852-2311-6999 E-mail: icochk@biznetvigator.com

From

www.jewishtimesasia.org

Celebrating 9 years of Jewish news in Asia

22

Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

The Fast of 10 Tevet

O

n the 10th day of the Jewish month of Tevet, in the year 3336 from Creation (425 BCE), the armies of the Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem. Thirty months later on 9 Tammuz 3338 the city walls were breached, and on 9 Av of that year the Holy Temple was destroyed. The Jewish people were exiled to Babylonia for 70 years.

The 10th of Tevet is ob-

served as a day of fasting, mourning and repentance. We refrain from food and drink from daybreak to nightfall,

and add selichot and other special supplements to our prayers.

eral kaddish day” for the victims of the Holocaust, many of whose day of martyrdom is unknown.

The fast ends at nightfall or as soon as you see three medium sized stars in the sky. We recite the Friday night Kiddush, then break the fast.

An ancient Jewish cus-

More recently, the day was chosen to also serve as a “gen-

Nebuchadnezzar’s Chronicle — ca. 597 B.C.E.

By the late 7th century, Babylonia and Egypt were caught up in a power struggle. In 601 B.C.E. Nebuchadnezzar’s armies attacked Egypt, an event that led to the revolt of Jehoiakim, King of Judea, against Babylon. The Judean King and his ministers were proEgyptian, and against the warnings of the prophet Jeremiah, they aligned themselves with Pharaoh Necho of Egypt. In 597 B.C.E., however, Babylonian armies marched into Judea and besieged Jerusalem. Jehoiakim died and his son Jehoiachin became King.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Chronicles record this siege.

Soon thereafter, Babylonian forces entered Jerusalem and the young Jehoiachin was exiled to Babylon with 10,000 subjects. A Babylonian ration list suggests King Jehoiachin and his family were treated well while in captivity. The Babylonians anointed Jehoiachin’s uncle Zedekiah, as king. Subsequently, King Zedakiah began to withhold the requisite payments of tribute to the Babylonians, and Nebuchadnezzar sent his forces once more into Jerusalem in 587 B.C.E. This time Jerusalem was captured, the Temple was destroyed and large portions of the population were deported to Babylon.

tom, which was revived by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, ßis to deliver words of inspiration that arouse the soul to repent on fast days.

THE ESSENCE OF THIS DAY

The fast of the Tenth of Tevet is marked by a halachic stringency greater than that of all the other commemorative fasts. When any of those fasts fall on Shabbat, they are postponed to the following day.

If, however, the 10th of Tevet were to fall on Shabbat,1 then according to certain authorities,2 we would be required to fast, even though this would prevent us from fulfilling the mitzvah of oneg Shabbat (“delighting in the Sabbath”).

This unique status is based on the verse,3 “On this very day, the king of Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem.” This verse establishes an equivalence between the 10th of Tevet and Yom Kippur, about which it is written,4 “And a person who does not afflict himself on this very day…”

Just as the fasting of Yom Kippur is observed even on Shabbat, the fasting of the 10th of Tevet would be observed on Shabbat, if necessary.5 FOOTNOTES 1. According to the fixed calendar which we use at present, this is impossible.

2. Avudraham, Hilchos Taaniyos, cited by Beis Yosef, Orach Chaim 550.

3. Yechezkel 24:2. Moreover, the verse begins, “Son of man, write down the name of this day, the essence of this day...”

4. Vayikra 23:27.

5. Like Yom Kippur, this fast too occurs on the tenth of the month; cf. “The tenth shall be holy” (Vayikra 27:32). Teves, moreover, is the tenth month of the year (counting from Nissan), and the fast is referred to (Zechariah 8:19) as “the fast of the tenth [month].”

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Jewish Times Asia December 2015 / January 2016

23

December & January Parashas 5 December 2015 / 23 Kislev 5776: VAYESHEV SHABBAT MEVARECHIM In this parsha we read the famous chapter about Joseph when he was 17 years old and Jacob presented him with the multi-coloured coat. Joseph also related his two dreams to his brothers.The brothers conspired to kill Joseph, but Reuven intervened. He suggested throwing Joseph into a pit to buy time. During Reuven’s absence, Judah suggested selling Joseph into slavery. The brothers presented Jacob with contrived evidence of Joseph’s death, and he was inconsolable. Joseph had been purchased by Potiphar and was quickly recognised for his managerial skills and integrity. He was appointed to run Potiphar’s household. Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce Joseph, but Joseph withstood temptation and fled his mistress’s presence. He was thrown into the royal prison and was soon chosen by the warden to run the prison. Due to his managerial position, Joseph came in contact with the former royal wine steward and baker. He successfully interpreted their dreams and the wine steward was reappointed to his position.

12 December 2015 / 30 Kislev 5776: MIKETZ Pharaoh dreams of years of plenty and famine. The butler finally remembers Joseph, and Joseph correctly interprets the dreams. Joseph advises Pharaoh on what to do and is appointed viceroy of Egypt and implements the plan. The famine affects Canaan and Jacob sends his sons except for Benjamin to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph recognises his brothers but they do not. He accuses them of being spies and locks them up. He demands that they go back to Canaan and bring their youngest to Egypt. G-d appears to Jacob and tells him G-d will be with them and he will also cause Israel to come out of Egypt.

19 December 2015 / 7 Tevet 5776: VAYIGASH Judah confronts Joseph and tells him if Benjamin does not go back, it will kill his father Jacob. Joseph finally reveals his true identity and asks after his father. He sends his brothers to tell Jacob he is alive and that he and his household should come down to Egypt. G-d appears to Jacob and tells him G-d will be with them and he will also cause Israel to come out of Egypt. Jochebed, Moses’ mother is born on the way to Egypt. Judah is sent ahead to Egypt. Joseph ensures that they will settle in the land of Goshen and introduces his father and brothers to Pharaoh. Joseph carries out the strategy to save Egypt from the famine.

26 December 2015 / 14 Tevet 5776: VAYECHI Jacob makes Joseph promise that he will not be buried in Egypt but in the burial place of his fathers in the Cave of Machpelah. Joseph is told his father is ill and takes his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim to be blessed. Jacob blesses Ephraim with his right hand even though he is the younger of the two, and Manasseh with his left hand.

HOLIDAYS/ FASTS/ ROSH CHODESH/ SPECIAL DAYS Chanukah:

(First night candle-lighting) 6 December 2015 7 December 2015 (25 Kislev 5776) — 13 December 2015 (1 Tevet 5776)

Fast of 10 B’Tevet:

Rosh Chodesh:

11 January 2016 (1 Shevat 5776)

Tu Bishvat:

25 January 2016 (15 Shevat 5776)

22 December 2015 (10 Tevet 5776)

Jacob calls all his sons to his death bed to bless them before he dies. Joseph and his brothers comply with his father’s wishes and takes him to be buried in the Cave of Machpelah. After the mourning period Joseph assures his brothers that he has no intention of taking revenge against them. Joseph see the birth of his third generation, he dies as do his brothers. This completes the book of Bereshit, Genesis.

2 January 2016 / 21 Tevet 5776: SHEMOT Seventy souls from Jacob came down to Egypt and they increased. A new Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph, or who did not want to know what he had done. He feared the Israelites were a threat and placed them under bondage. Pharaoh decreed that all male babies were to be killed, but Shifrah and Puah saved them. The birth of Moses from the house of Levi. He is placed in basket among the reeds and is saved by Bityah, Pharaoh’s daughter, and Moses is brought up in Pharaoh’s palace. Moses sees the suffering of his people and kills a taskmaster.

When Moses realised this was public knowledge Moses escaped to Midian where he marries Tziporah. G-d reveals himself to Moses in the burning bush, and tells him to go and lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt.

9 January 2016 / 28 Tevet 5776: VA’ERA – SHABBAT MEVARECHIM G-d appears to Moses and commands him to tell the Israelites that G-d will bring them out of Egypt. G-d commands Moses to go to Pharaoh to tell him let His People go. Moses first proves that he is a master magician worthy of being listened to by Pharaoh. Moses warns each time of calamity befalling Pharaoh if he does heed his warnings before sending seven of the ten Plagues – blood, frogs, lice, swarms of wild beasts, epidemic, boils, hail.

16 January 2016 / 6 Shevat 5776: BO The last three of the Ten Plagues – locusts, darkness and the killing of the first born. Before the last plague G-d describes to Moses how the coming out of Egypt will happen, gives the very first commandment to the Children of Israel – that of sanctifying time with the institution of the system of the months, and the command to keep Pesach with taking of the pascal lamb, killing it and placing its blood on the door post of the houses of the Israelites and eating it with Matzah, unleavened bread. At exactly midnight on the 15th Nisan the process of redemption began with the killing of the first born, and Pharaoh commanding that the Israelites leave Egypt. The institution of Pesach, the law of the first born and the Mitzvah of Tephillin.

23 January 2016 / 13 Shevat 5776: BESHALACH / SHABBAT SHIRA The Shabbat upon which Beshalach is read is traditionally called “Shabbat Shira” because it contains the beautiful song that was sung by Moses and the Children of Israel after the crossed the Red Sea and saw the final vanquishing of the Egyptian army who were caught by the returning waters that had just parted to allow the Israelites to pass through on dry land. The song is not one of victory, but of faith that G-d will protect us from our enemies.

Miriam led the women in a separate song, which was different from that of the men, in that it was accompanied by musical instruments.

30 January 2016 / 20 Shevat 5776: YITRO The Torah records the reunion between Moses and his father-in-law Yitro (after whom this Shabbat Torah reading is named). Yitro blessed G-d on His saving of the Children of Israel for Egyptian bondage and sits down with Moses to eat bread. (From this has arisen the tradition in many especially Sephardi communities to have a special Seuda [meal] on this Shabbat). The Children of Israel arrive at Mount Sinai and prepare to receive the Torah with thunder, lightning and the sound of the Shofar. Moses goes up to Mount Sinai and receives the Torah, which symbolised by the 10 Commandments. Moses is commanded to build an altar that has not been fashioned with weapons of war.

Candle Lighting Times for December & January Countries

4 December

11 December

18 December

25 December

1 January

8 January

15 January

22 January

29 January

Bangkok 5:31 5:33 5:36 5:39 5:43 5:47 5:51 5:55 5:58 Beijing 4:31 4:31 4:33 4:36 4:41 4:48 4:55 5:03 5:11 Guangzhou 5:23 5:24 5:27 5:30 5:34 5:39 5:44 5:49 5:54 Hong Kong 5:21 5:22 5:25 5:28 5:32 5:37 5:42 5:47 5:51 Kathmandu 4:50 4:52 4:54 4:57 5:02 5:08 5:12 5:18 5:23 Kobe 4:31 4:31 4:33 4:37 4:41 4:47 4:53 5:00 5:07 Manila 5:07 5:10 5:12 5:16 5:20 5:24 5:28 5:32 5:35 Mumbai 5:42 5:44 5:47 5:50 5:54 5:59 6:03 6:08 6:12 Perth 6:52 6:58 7:02 7:02 7:08 7:09 7:08 7:06 7:03 Shanghai 4:33 4:34 4:36 4:39 4:44 4:49 4:55 5:01 5:08 Singapore 6:38 6:41 6:44 6:48 6:51 6:55 6:57 7:00 7:01 Seoul 4:56 4:56 4:58 5:01 5:06 5:12 5:19 5:26 5:34 Taipei 4:46 4:47 4:50 4:53 4:57 5:02 5:07 5:12 5:18 Tokyo 4:09 4:10 4:12 4:15 4:20 4:25 4:32 4:39 4:46 Candlelighting times are taken from Chabad.org.

JEWISH COMMUNITIES IN ASIA CAMBODIA

HONG KONG

PHILIPPINES

CHINA

Chabad of Hong Kong: 1/F Hoover Court, 7-9 Macdonell Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2523 9770 www.chabadhk.org

SINGAPORE

Chabad Jewish Center House # 32, Street 228, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Tel: (855) 85 807 205 www.jewishcambodia.com Beijing Chabad House and Community centre: Fang Yuan Xi Lu, next to the south gate of Si De Park, Beijing, PR China Tel: (8610) 8470 8238 ext. 210, (86) 13910740109 www.chabadbeijing.com Chabad of Ya Bao Lu: Jian Guo Men Diplomatic Bldg, Building 3, 2/F, 223 Chaoyangmennei Street, Beijing, PR China TeL: (86) 1352 2016 427 Email: rabbaimendy08@gmail.com

Jewish Community Centre: One Robinson Place, 70 Robinson Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2801 5440 www.jcc.org.hk

Ohel Leah Synagogue: 70 Robinson Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2589 2621 www.ohelleah.org United Jewish Congregation (Reform): Jewish Community Centre, One Robinson Place, 70 Robinson Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2523 2985 www.ujc.org.hk

Beth Yaacov Synagogue: 110 H.V. de la Costa cnr, Tordesillas West, Salcedo Village, Makati City, Metro Manila 1227, The Philippines Tel: (632) 815 0265 www.jewishphilippines.org Chesed-El Synagogue: 2 Oxley Rise, Singapore 238693 Tel: (65) 6732 8862, (65) 9740 8109 Jacob Ballas Community Centre & Maghain Aboth Synagogue: 24-26 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187950 Tel: (65) 6337 2189 www.singaporejews.org United Hebrew Congregation (Reform): email: info@uhcsingapore.org

Shuva Israel (Orthodox): 2/F Fortune House, 61 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2851 6300 www.shuva-israel.com

SOUTH KOREA

Kehillat Beijing (Reform): Capital Club Athletic Center, 3/F., Ballroom, Capital Mansion, 6 Xinyuan Nanlu Chaoyang District, Beijing, PR China Tel: (86) 10 6467 2225 www.sinogogue.org

Kowloon Kehilat Zion (Orthodox): Unit 105, 1/F, Wing on Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon Tel: (852) 2368 0061 www.kehilat-zion.org

TAIWAN

Guangzhou Guangzhou Chabad: 31 He Ping Lu, Overseas Village, Guangzhou, China Tel: (86) 137 1050 5049 www.chabadgz.org

Chabad of Kowloon: 11 Hart Avenue, 2/F, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Tel: (852) 2366 5770 Email: kowloon@chabadhk.org

Shanghai Shanghai Chabad (Shanghai Jewish Center): Shang-Mira Garden Villa #1, 1720 Hong Qiao Road, Shanghai, 200336, PR China Tel: (86) 21 6278 0225 www.chinajewish.org

Magen David Synagogue: 340 Sir J.J. Rd, Byculla, Mumbai Tel: (91) 22 23006675

INDIA (MUMBAI)

Kenesseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, 43 Dr V.B. Gandhi Marg, Fort, Mumbai Tel: (91) 22 22831502 / 22839617

Chabad: 744-18 Hannam-Dong, Yongsan-Gu, Seoul 140-893, South Korea Tel: (82) 107 730 3770 www.jewishkorea.com Taipei Jewish Center: No. 12, Lane 46, Anju St, Daan District, Taipei City 106, Taiwan Tel: (886) 9 2392 3770 email: Rabbi@jewish.tw Taipei Jewish Community: 16 Min Tsu East Road, Second Floor, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC Tel: (886) 2 2591 3565 email:einhorn912@xuite.net Taipei Jewish Community Synagogue Services: 11F, 54 Minsheng East Road, Section 4, Taipei, Taiwan email: thetjc@yahoo.com

THAILAND

Bangkok Jewish Association of Thailand: 121 Soi Sai Nam Thip 2, Sukhumvit Soi 22, Bangkok, Thailand Tel: (662) 663 0244 www.jewishthailand.com

Chabad of Pudong: Vila # 69, 2255 Luoshan Road, Shanghai, 200135, PR China Tel: (86) 21 5878 2008 www.chinajewish.org

Kurla Bene Israel: 275 C.S.T. Rd, Jewish Colony, Kurla (W) Mumbai, India Tel: (91) 22 511-2132

Sephardi Shanghai Center: Building B. Apt. 3 (Room 103), 1000 Gubei Road, Shanghai, PR China 201103 Tel: (86) 21 6208 8327 Mobile: (86) 15900808733 Email: sscshanghai10@gmail.com, ssc_shanghai@walla.com

JAPAN

Kehilat Shanghai (Reform): XinTianDi – Lakeville 2 Regency Club, 168 ShunChang Lu, Shanghai, China Tel: (86) 13817825201 www.kehilatshanghai.org Email: info@kehilatshanghai.org, Facebook: facebook.com/KehilatShanghai

Tokyo Tokyo Chabad: 1-5-23 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo Japan 108-0073 Tel: (813) 5789 2846 www.chabad.jp

Chabad of Phuket 52/32 Ratch U-thit Song Roy Pee Rd. (opposite Patong Post Office), Second row of town houses, Patong, Katu District, Phuket 83150

Shenzhen Shenzhen Chabad: No.4, Block A, Guishan Xiaozhu Yanshan Road, Industrial Area, Shekou Nanshan District, Shenzhen, PR China Tel: (86) 755 8207 0712 www.chabadshenzhen.org

JCC Japan: Tokyo Jewish Community Centre, 8-8 Hiroo 3-Chome, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo 150 0012, Japan Tel: (813) 3400 2559 www.jccjapan.or.jp

Chiang Mai 189/15 Chang-Clan Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand, On street of Night Bazaar, 100 Meters before The Empress hotel Tel: (66) 81 870 2249

Kobe Ohel Shelomoh Synagogue and Community Center: 4-12-12, Kitano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650, Japan Tel: (81) 78 221 7236 www.jcckobe.org

NEPAL

Chabad House: GHA-2-516-4 Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: (977) 980 324 1294 chabadnepal@hotmail.com

Chabad of Thailand: 96 Rambutttri St. Banglamphu, 102000 Bangkok, Thailand Tel: (662) 629 2770 www.chabadthailand.com Bet Sefer Chabad: 221 Sukhumvit Soi 20, Bangkok, 10110 Thailand Tel: (662) 258 3434

VIETNAM

Chabad: 5A (villa) Nguyen Dinh Chieu St., Dakao ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam Tel: (84) 90 9166770 www.JewishVietnam.com