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October 2019 • Volume 14 • Issue 6 • Tishrei / Cheshvan 5780
FIRST EVER JEWISH STUDIES WORKSHOP IN TAIWAN HONOURS HEROIC DIPLOMATS
Entitled “Politics of Life, Politics of Light: Humanitarian Diplomacy and Jewish Studies in East Asia,” the workshop was co-chaired by Professor Ber Kotlerman, of the Department of Literature of the Jewish People at Bar-Ilan University, and Ambassador Fabrizio Bozzato of Malta. Conference participants hailed from across the globe, and included Chiune Sugihara’s son Nobuki Sugihara, who currently resides in Antwerp, and
Ilana Plopsky
By Staff Writer and Agencies Brave East Asian diplomats, responsible for providing shelter and protection to thousands of Jewish refugees during the Holocaust, were commemorated at a recent international workshop at Tamkang University’s College of International Studies in New Taipei City last month. This was the first time an event to honour these diplomats was organised.
From left to right: Ambassador Fabrizio Bozzato of Malta, Professor Ber Kotlerman and Dr. Mor Sobol (Israel-Taiwan)
Ho Feng-Shan’s daughter Ho Manli, who lives in San Francisco. Both of them spoke about their late fathers, whose actions were so integral to the lives saved. In November 1939, Chiune Sugihara, a career diplomat, was serving as Japan’s Consul in Lithuania. When Lithuania was annexed to the Soviet Union in the summer of 1940, all foreign diplomats were asked to leave Kovno. As Sugihara was packing his belongings, a Jewish del-
egation waited in front of his consulate, asking to see him. “My father didn’t intend to be a hero,” Nobuki Sugihara told workshop participants. Troubled by the refugees’ plight, he began issuing visas of his own volition- despite being ordered by his ministry not to issue them. Thanks to Sugihara, they were able to leave Europe and escape the horrors of the following year when Nazi Germany invaded Lithuania. Dr. Ho Feng-Shan, the Chinese Consul-General in Vienna,
Israel’s baseball team qualifies for 2020 Tokyo Olympics The team, which features a great many semi-professional Jewish-American college players, had the country’s best showing in the last World Baseball Classic in 2017, surprising many by making the main tournament where it fin-
Margo Sugarman
Israel has qualified for the Olympic baseball tournament for the first time. The Israeli team made history by defeating South Africa 11-1 in Italy, after beating the Netherlands and tournament host Italy last month.
Israel national baseball team
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ished in sixth place. While the World Baseball Classic only requires that players be eligible for citizenship of the country they represent, this differs to what is asked of Olympian athletes. For Olympic qualifying tournaments – and in the Olympic Games themselves – players must actually be citizens of the country they represent. To remedy this setback, the national team’s Jewish American quota received Israeli citizenship especially to meet requirements. The Israel Association of Baseball runs five leagues throughout the country for players aged six and upward.
was given the title of “Righteous Amongst the Nations” for his humanitarian courage in issuing Chinese visas to Jews in Vienna despite orders to the contrary from his superior. “My father became one of the first diplomats to help Jews because he was posted to the first place that Nazi Germany took over,” said Dr. Ho’s daughter, Ho Manli. Unlike his fellow diplomats, Ho issued visas to Shanghai to all requesting them, even to those wishing to travel elsewhere but needing a visa to leave Nazi Germany. Ho issued visas on an unprecedentedly large scale, estimated to run into the thousands.
IN THIS ISSUE Regional News Israel and Japan sign a defense equipment agreement
3-8
Business News Passenger traffic from China now at all-time high 9-12
Art • Culture • Music HKJFF hits 20 years
13-17
Festivals Sukkot / Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah
18
Jewish communities in Asia Candle-lighting and the month’s Parshas
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Jewish Times Asia October 2019
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Jewish Times Asia October 2019
Jewish Times Asia
Israel and Japan sign a defense equipment agreement
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Israel and Japan signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding on 10 September at the headquarters of the Japanese Ministry of Defense in Tokyo.
Israel’s Director of Security for Defense, Nir Ben Moshe, was accompanied at the ceremony by Yafa Ben Ari, Israel’s Ambassador to Japan.
Japan was represented by Director General, International Affairs, Mr. Suzuki and Director General, Equipment Policy, ATLA Mr. Aoyagi.
“I applaud the important agreement that was signed this morning with the Japanese Ministry of Defense,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement following the signing. “The agreement will deepen and strengthen security relations between the countries. We have brought Israel-Japan relations to an alltime high.” Earlier this year, the two countries signed a series of six partnership deals in the fields of cybersecurity, digital health
At the signing ceremony: Nir Ben Moshe with a representative from Japan
technologies, and the automotive industry. These were detailed alongside an official
Memorandum of Understanding on the subject of cooperation in the field of digital health.
More Israelis infected with Zika virus during visits to Thailand
Israel’s Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Environment reported in September that two more Israelis had been infected with the Zika mosquito-transmitted virus during a visit to Thailand, and were later diagnosed in Israel.
a growing international health concern; the Journal of Travel Medicine notes that four cases of Zika have been recorded in Thailand since February 2017, as well as two additional cases recorded after its publication.
The popular holiday destination takes in about 35.6 million tourists a year, according to 2017 figures, but yet is
“Most of the infections by Israelis so far have been in the South American region where the outbreak began. But in the
So far six Israelis have contracted Zika in the past six months while visiting Thailanda dramatic increase from two cases since 2016, Israeli doctors reported to the Journal of Travel Medicine.
According to Prof. Eli Schwartz, head of the Center for Travel Medicine and Tropical Diseases at the Sheba Medical Centre, a total of about 40 Israelis have contracted the illness since the 2014 Zika endemic in South America.
last six months, we are suddenly seeing a lot of adherence from Thailand to Israeli travellers returning from popular places, such as Koh Phangan, Phuket, and Koh Samui,” Schwartz says. However, Thailand is not the only country in East Asia that has experienced a resurgence of the virus. Cases have been reported in Singapore and the Philippines.
Zika is transmitted by mosquito bites, and can be inherited from a pregnant mother to her baby, or through sexual contact and blood transfusions.
The Aedes mosquito which can spread the Zika virus
After contracting the infection, there is an incubation period that can last from three to 12 days. The disease is generally mild and lasts several days to a week, usually passing without complications. Severe illness requiring hospitalisation is rare and the mortality rate is low. No transmission of the virus was detected within Israel.
Republic of Nauru to recognise Jerusalem as Capital of Israel The Republic of Nauru, a Pacific island country in Micronesia, has officially recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Nauru’s mission to the United Nations in New York said, in a letter dated 16 August, that: “The Mission of Nauru has the honour to convey the decision of the Government of the Republic of Nauru to formally recognise the city of Jerusalem as the capital city of the State of Israel.” Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz commended the island nation for its recognition in a tweet, which states that “We will continue to strength-
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From left: Israel’s Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz, David Ben Basat, Honorary Consul of Nauru in Israel, and Ambassador Marlene Inemwin Moses
en Jerusalem and to bring about the recognition and opening of diplomatic missions and embassies in our capital.”
Nauru’s population in 2017, according to the World Bank, was less than 14,000 people joins the Central American country of Honduras, which has
also recently recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Honduras subsequently opened a diplomatic office in the city. The office is considered an extension of the existing Honduran Embassy in Tel-Aviv, according to the government.
US President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital – and officially moved the US embassy to Jerusalem – in May. Guatemala moved its embassy to Jerusalem just two days later. Earlier this year, Paraguay also announced plans to move its embassy, but reversed the decision months later. Government officials from several countries – including the Czech Republic, Romania, Lithuania, Australia and Brazil – have expressed interest in moving their embassies to Jerusalem.
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Jewish Times Asia October 2019
Regional News
Israeli husband who fled to Thailand finally agrees to divorce his wife after 6 years
An Israeli businessman who, after refusing to give his wife a get (official divorce in Jewish law courts) and fled to Thailand for the past six years, has now been tracked down.
The man, who had signed a divorce agreement, fled to Bangkok before the get documentation could be filed for his intended ex-wife. Attorneys in Israel have been pursuing the case ever since. The sanctions levied against him alone were not the only reasons he decided to complete the divorce proceedings after so many years in hiding. Instead,
Attorney Ilana Leibowitz, representing the estranged wife,
A Hainan Airlines airplane
This will come into effect from 27 October 2019 through to 29 March 2020. The airline said that the halt is temporary and due to operational constraints, but provided no details.
Hainan emphasised that the reason for the suspension was not security-related, as China has not issued a travel warning for Israel. An exception was made when the airline cancelled a flight to Tel-Aviv last year following a warning by the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol), due to concern at the time about attacks in the area of Syria. Hainan Airlines landed its inaugural flight from Shanghai to Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport on 12 September 2017. It was the first airline from China to operate regular flights between Shanghai and Israel.
Because the route was a new destination, Hainan Airlines received a grant from Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, intended to be used for marketing efforts aimed at increasing the number
The husband arrived a few days later, asking to extend his stay in Thailand, and it was then he realised he could not receive any consular services. In addition, officials confiscated his passport and explained the possibilities offered to him; to remain in Thailand without any possibility of leaving (with the exception of flying home to Israel to be arrested), or to give a get and release his wife from being an agunah (a woman trapped in a marriage).
A previous court appearance was scheduled earlier this year, but the evasive husband preferred not to show. Shluchim were sent by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel who spoke with him in Thailand, along with local rabbis, once again trying to persuade him to give his wife a get. His bank account was frozen, and his driver’s license cancelled, but even these measures did not break his resolve.
Hainan Airlines to suspend ShanghaiTel-Aviv flights
Chinese carrier, Hainan Airlines has announced that it will temporarily suspend its direct flights to Tel-Aviv due to operational constraints for the coming winter schedule.
confiscate his passport upon arrival.
the threat of revoking his passport seems to have been the primary influence.
of Chinese tourists to Israel. In April 2016, Hainan launched its first route from TelAviv to Beijing. Hainan Israel general manager Li Liang said, “We very much regret the news about the suspension of the route to Shanghai. Suspension of activity on the route is only temporary; we expect to renew activity and to continue serving our many Israeli passengers flying to Shanghai, starting next spring. The company’s activity in Israel has achieved impressive commercial success, and we will continue to not only constitute a bridge between China and Israel, but to make all of China accessible to the Israeli passenger with irreproachable service and unprecedented prices.” Hainan flew 96,230 roundtrip passengers in January through July 2019, which factors as a 25% increase from the corresponding period last year. Passenger traffic from Israel to Shanghai since the beginning of the year stands at 37,300 passengers. El Al Airlines and Sichuan Airlines also operate direct flights between Israel and China.
The Tel-Aviv Rabbinate Beth Din
asked the government to cancel any and all assistance he might receive from an Israeli consulate/embassy in any country.
The Tel-Aviv Rabbinate Beth Din accepted the request, ordering the Foreign Ministry to blacklist him in all countries
until he gives his wife a get.
The Foreign Ministry released a directive to all its embassies and consulates not to provide the husband with any services. The Beth Din then asked to have the Bangkok embassy summon the man, and to
The husband was informed he had 45 days to decide, and soon agreed to release his wife. It is pointed out that he did not pay child support during the six-year period. Attorney Leibowitz praised the actions of the Beth Din.
Jewish Times Asia October 2019
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Regional News
New Chair at the AJC Asia Pacific Institute
Tatiana Abramson, an Israeli national, is to be one of 530 climbers – including 260 expedition members of various teams and nationalities – who are set to climb the world’s eighth highest peak in western Nepal this autumn season.
Robert S. Peckar has been appointed the new Chair at the AJC Asia Pacific Institute (API) and takes over from Jeffrey E. Stone.
According to Chatur Tamang, managing Director at Cha Tours Treks and Expedition, 55 year-old Tatiana Abramson has reached the base camp to begin her ascent. “She wants to be the first woman climber from her country to stand atop Mount Manaslu,” he said, adding that Tatiana had already climbed several peaks in Europe. “Most of the expedition members left for Camp I and II for their acclimatisation rota-
Courtesy: Abramson
Israeli woman to climb Mount Manaslu
Tatiana Abramson poses for a picture at Larke Pass
tion,” Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, Director at Seven Summit Treks (SST), told the Himalayan Times from the base camp. According to him, a team from SST has already plotted a route up to Camp III.
telegraphnepal.com
Leading paediatricians visit Nepal
SST is handling at least 67 expedition members of five different teams on Mount Manaslu this season.
The Department of Tourism claims Mount Manaslu has received a record number of climbers this autumn, these numbers in comparison to the last season; 192 foreign climbers representing 18 teams had obtained climbing permits to attempt to climb in 2018.
The major purpose of the visit was to introduce selected Nepali hospitals and medical teams to new life-saving technologies in the fields of paediatrics, obstetrics, and gynaecology. In addition, state of the art equipment brought from Israel was donated to the hospitals to encourage implementing the theories into future practice.
The Israeli embassy has been conducting various outreach activities to mark the 71st Independence of Israel, this project being one of them. The week-long trip also included a programme on “Women and Children Health” at Dhulikhel Hospital and the Siddhi Memorial Foundation, concluding with a closing ceremony jointly organised by the Embassy of Israel and the Global Academy of Tourism & Hospitality Education (GATE) at the GATE College. Speaking during the event,
Nepal’s Ambassador to Israel Benny Omer had some kind words for the visitors. “I would like to thank the Israeli doctors, who came all the way from Israel and did a wonderful job for the Nepalese people. I really appreciate all the doctors and participants for their active participation and warm hospitality. We look forward to future cooperation in the health sector.”
Dr. Ronit Almog, the Head of Bringing New Lives into the World from Tel-Aviv Medical Center in Israel, also spoke at the event. “This is our 5th delegation in the last year. Our aim is to reduce foetal and maternal morbidity and mortality in developing nations. We saw a very good health level and system in Nepal and look forward for future mutual cooperation.” The delegation has travelled to other developing countries in previous years, dedicated to training local clinicians in new practices and advancing medical skills in the countries – especially in such countries where pregnancy complications and maternal/infant mortality rates are amongst the highest in the world.
Robert S. Peckar
“I am extremely pleased to serve as the Chair of API following the outstanding work of Jeffrey E. Stone,” said Peckar. “I look forward to working closely with our highly competent professional staff and our lay leadership to advance AJC’s enlightened approach to the opportunities presented in Asia for Jewish and Israel advocacy.”
Established in the US, AJC is a leading global Jewish advocacy group, holding strong global governmental relationships with diplomats and world leaders alike. Its mission is to help shape opinions and policy on issues relating to combating rising antisemitism, defending Israel’s place in the world, and safeguarding the rights and freedoms of all people. It has representatives and offices in Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Israel, and the US.
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The medical delegation in Nepal
A medical delegation from Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov), a leading Israeli hospital in the field of gynaecology and obstetrics, visited Nepal from 9-16 September.
Mr Peckar also serves a Chairman of AJC’s Project Interchange (PI), which serves as a strategic partner to API in bringing influential Asians to Israel for first-hand experience with the realities, challenges, and achievements of Israel, as well as an understanding of its place in the global playground.
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Jewish Times Asia October 2019
Regional News
Israel to offer tourism jobs to Philippine workers
David Hertz, a Jewish social entrepreneur from Brazil, was named the winner of the 2019 Charles Bronfman Prize in September in recognition of his efforts to alleviate global hunger. The award comes with US$100,000 in prize money.
At least a thousand jobs will be opened for Philippine workers in Israel’s tourism industry by the end of the year, an Israeli diplomatic envoy said according to Philippine News Agency. In a recent interview, Israel’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Rafael Harpaz, said that the Philippines was the first country that Israel had signed an agreement with to fill hotel and restaurant vacancies in its country. “We decided to open Israel to a limited amount of overseas workers all over the world. We start with 2,000, and 1,000 of them will be Filipinos,” he said on the sidelines of the Water Technology Forum in Makati City, Manila.
With the increasing tourist arrivals to Israel every year, Harpaz noted they saw a lack of local workers keen to take part in their tourism industry. This prompted the government to seek overseas workers, with Filipino nationals as priority. “Why Filipinos? Because
David Hertz wins the 2019 Bronfman Prize
Philippine front office hotel reception workers
you have the best service in hotels and restaurants,” the ambassador added. Israel has prioritised pinos to work and stay in country due to the “good tionship” established by ernment leaders of the countries.
Filitheir relagovtwo
It is also “grateful” for the service provided by at least 40,000 Filipino caregivers to their families, he added. This developed following President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to Israel in September 2018, where he signed the bilateral labour agreement. This was a vow
to improve and regulate the recruitment process and the rights of overseas Filipino workers, and to drastically reduce placement fees. It involves a governmentto-government hiring process, removing the need for private recruitment agencies. In an earlier report, Philippine Ambassador to Israel Nathaniel Imperial said the labour cooperation agreement will “hopefully ensure that the exploitative placement fees that are being charged to our workers [shall] be substantially reduced, if not eliminated.”
Hertz is the cofounder of Gastromotiva, a Brazilianbased organisation that fights unemployment and social inequality. Part of its innovative framework is the incorporation of cooking classes and nutrition education as tools to “create opportunities for those living on the margins of society.” The Charles Bronfman Prize, established by the children of the eponymous philanthropist, honours humanitarians under the age 50 “whose innovative work, informed by Jewish values, has significantly improved the world.”
In a statement, Hertz said his 13-year-old group provides “free vocational kitchen training, entrepreneurial classes, and nutrition classes across
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David Hertz
Brazil, El Salvador, South Africa, and Mexico.” During the 2016 Rio di Janeiro Olympic Games, Hertz opened the Refettorio Gastromotiva in collaboration with renowned chef Massimo Botura and journalist Alexandra Forbes as a no-food-waste cooking school and restaurant.
Previous winners of the prize include criminal justice reformer Amy Bach, refugee rights activist Rebecca Heller, and Israeli writer Etgar Keret.
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Jewish Times Asia October 2019
7
Regional News Shavei Israel publishes first Chinese edition of the Bencher
A delegation of 62 female entrepreneurs from India, representing the Ladies Association of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), spent a week in Israel in September.
Shavei Israel has published the first birkon (prayer book)more commonly known as the ‘Bencher’ – in Mandarin Chinese. The bencher includes Shabbat kiddushim, aftermeal blessings, and songs that will aid Chinese-speaking Jewish communities.
The delegation spent time touring the area and meeting Israeli industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. It was headed by Harjinder Kaur, President of FICCI and founder and CEO of Comvision, a software production company specialising in accessible governance and software solutions for the transport sector. “We are very proud to host such an important business delegation from India,” Israel’s Ambassador to India, Dr. Ron Malka, said. “This will encourage collaborations between women entrepreneurs and businesswomen of both the coun-
The Indian delegation
tries. I expect more business interactions and opportunities to come in the near future. The people to people connection is the foundation for cooperation in every field, and therefore it is important to have Indians and Israelis come in contact as much as possible.” On 10 September, FICCI and the Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding to carry out activities towards the promotion of trade exchange and investment between Indian and Israeli women, with the shared goal of deepening existing economic relations. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs is collaborating
with major Indian chambers of commerce and industry and the Israel-India Chamber of Commerce in a bid to promote, encourage, and empower women in the business sector, and to increase commerce between the two countries.
Israel, the Startup Nation, has developed extensive entrepreneurship and innovation scene with more than 5,000 start-ups and tech companies responsible to some of the most ground breaking technological developments of today. It holds the highest number of startups per capita, and all major international companies have development centres in Israel to tap into Israeli knowledge and capabilities.
The translation to Chinese was made by Shavei’s coordinator for the Kaifeng Jews, Eran Barzilay, with the help of those representatives of the community who underwent the process of formal conversion and successfully made Aliyah to Israel. The introductions to the bencher were prepared by
Shavei Israel’s Chairman and Founder, Michael Freund, and Rabbi Chanoch Avitzedek. They focus on the meaning and importance of keeping the Sabbath. A non-profit organisation, Shavei Israel assists lost or stranded Jews throughout the world, and helps with cultural re-absorption through its Aliyah programmes.
The organisation has had a very large impact in Asia over recent years, organising Aliyah for many families from China and the large number of B’nei Menashe communities in northeastern India and Myanmar.
shavei.org
The federation chose Israel as their destination this year, arranging their programme with the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi and the Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce.
Embassy Of Israel in India
Indian women’s business delegation visits Israel
The Chinese-Hebrew translated Bencher
Sheridan will be visiting Singapore 1st November – 10th November and then will be in Hong Kong 10th November – 17th November
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Jewish Times Asia October 2019
Regional News
Philippine student-trainees graduate from Agriculture programme Israel
Rosh Hashanah greeting from Gandhi discovered
In total 638 student-trainees from the Philippines graduated from Israel’s Agrostudies Program in ceremonies held on 2 September at the Jerusalem International Convention Center.
A Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year greeting written by India’s nationalist leader Mahatma Gandhi on the day that the Nazis invaded Poland has been discovered at the National Library of Israel.
The Philippines has also maintained its position and as the country with the most number of graduates for this year’s programme, which hosted over 1000 students of agriculture schools from 13 other countries in Asia and Africa.
Philippine Charge d’ Affaires Randy Arquiza, representing the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the various State University Presidents, graced the graduation ceremony and distributed the certificates of completion to the graduates.
The students from different agriculture university and colleges in the Philippines completed their 11-month course of combined academic learning and practical work covering the latest agro-based technology and techniques utilised by farms in Israel.
The greeting written by Mahatma Gandhi on 1 September, 1939 to A.E. Shohet, the head of the Bombay Zionist Association, together with the original envelope were in mint condition. Philippine Charge d’ Affaires Randy Arquiza (centred) with the student-trainees showing their certificates after graduation ceremonies
The programme offered the students the opportunity to study at specialised agricultural academic centres and work in modern farms throughout Israel to learn practical lessons in various fields such as citrus farming, horticulture, mushroom cultivation, dairy production, poultry growing and agricultural pollination employing the latest Israeli modern technology.
Four students received the Excellence in Extra-Curricular Activities awards and Roy R.
Baldovino, Agrostudies Program 2017-2018 graduate from the Visayas State University, won in the Agriculture Enterprise Contest bagging Second (2nd) Place and a prize of US$5,000 worth of agricultural equipment or consultation hours. This year marked the fourteenth batch of student-trainees of the Agrostudies Program in Israel. Since 2005, the Philippines has sent a total of 4,534 student-trainees to Israel to participate in this programme.
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“Dear Shohet, You have my good wishes for your new year,” the letter reads. “How I wish the new year may mean an era of peace for your afflicted people.” The greeting was discovered as part of a major National Library of Israel initiative to review millions of items in its archival collections, which include personal papers, photographs and documents. The library’s initiative is with support from the Leir Foundation. Shohet was an Indian Jew from the Baghdadi community in Bombay. He also headed
Bombay’s Keren Hayesod office and served as editor of The Jewish Advocate newspaper. Shohet had interviewed Gandhi earlier that year, in March, at his ashram in Wardha, according to the National Library.
Gandhi had called for resisting Nazism solely through nonconfrontational means. “My sympathies are all with the Jews … If there ever could be a justifiable war, in the name of and for humanity, war against Germany to prevent the wanton persecution of a whole race would be completely justified. But I do not believe in any war,” he wrote in November 1938.
Not long before he was assassinated in January 1948, Gandhi called the Holocaust “the greatest crime of our time,” yet maintained that “… the Jews should have offered themselves to the butcher’s knife. They should have thrown themselves into the sea from cliffs … It would have aroused the world and the people of Germany … As it is they succumbed anyway in their millions.”
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Jewish Times Asia October 2019
Business Regional News News
Passenger traffic from China now at all-time high
Fresh off the heels of a historic recent visit in July to South Korea by Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin and a large business delegation which resulted in significant energy and educational agreements, Israel and South Korea have now concluded three years of negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), officials announced, paving the way for a major boost in bilateral trade.
The number of passengers passing through Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport, on flights between China and Israel rose in the first eight months of 2019 by 23.43% compared with the same period in 2018, according to a report published by the Israel Airports Authority.
“Israel is a vibrant, advanced economy, and I think our partnership will do tremendous good for both our economies. I’m sure it will multiply our trade, which already stands at US$2.5 billion. It will grow a lot,” he said during a meeting with South Korean Trade Minister, Yoo Myung-hee.
Yoo Myung-hee agreed, saying that the agreement is a “significant and historic” one. “South Korea and Israel, we have a lot of similarities, and we have complimentary economic structures. Based on this FTA, I’m sure that it will further promote our trade and investment as well as further promote our technology cooperation,” she said. Economy and Industry Minister Eli Cohen echoed his South Korean counterpart’s enthusiasm.
“South Korea is an important trade partner for the State of Israel,” he said. “The trade
Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin meeting with President Moon of South Korea in Seoul in July
agreements are, as a rule, of strategic importance for the Israeli economy, and assist in increasing exports and lowering the cost of raw materials.” The deal is expected to boost already increasing bilateral trade between the two countries. In 2018, trade between Israel and South Korea amounted to about US$2.5 billion—an almost 15% increase over 2017.
According to the agreement, almost 95% of Israeli exports to South Korea will be exempt from customs duties, including machinery and electrical equipment, mechanical devices, fertiliser, medical equipment, cosmetics, plastics, metals, fruit juices, and wine. At the same time, customs duties will be lowered on South Korean goods imported into Israel, such as automobiles and automobile parts, refrigerators, medical equipment, electronic components, toys and games, plastics, and chemicals.
South Korea, which is the 11th-largest economy in the world, is a leading producer of high-tech items. These include memory components and semiconductors. It is also a global
Indian Air Force receives Spice-2000 ‘building blaster’ buster bombs Israel has completed the delivery of first batch of new version of Spice-2000 bunker buster bombs to the Indian Air Force.
India signed a US$43.2 million contract with Israel for 100 Spice bombs this June under the emergency procurement route. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the bombs
A Spice-2000 bomb
will be delivered along with Mark 84 warheads, and other bombs which can destroy buildings completely. The Spice-2000 bombs were used by India during the air strikes in Balakot against terrorist camps of Pakistan-based group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in February.
stronghold for shipbuilding and automotive manufacturing. The Israeli government promises the agreement “will provide a competitive advantage and ease activity for Israeli exporters in the South Korean market, thus strengthening Israeli exports and increasing economic growth. The annual benefit to the economy will facilitate a better jumping-off point for Israeli exports.”
According to the report, 351,961 passengers flew between the two nations in Janu-
ary to August this year.
The report also showed that in August 2019, there were 45,322 passengers on flights between China and Israel, compared with 42,430 in August 2018. An all-time monthly record of 2.81 million international passengers flew through Ben Gurion Airport in August 2019, an increase of 2.16% year on year.
Llee Wu/Flick
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the agreement—the first with an Asian country—calling South Korea a “global leader.”
Kobi Gideon/GPO
Israel and South Korea conclude a Free Trade Agreement
Arrivals hall at Ben Gurion airport
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Jewish Times Asia October 2019
Business Regional News News
Ashalim solar energy project inaugurated Eviation electric plane maker
acquired by Singapore group
Negev Energy, a joint venture of Shikun & Binui Energy (50%), the Noy Infrastructure Fund (40%) and the Spanish firm TSK (10%), won the tender that had been issued by the Accountant General at the Ministry of Finance, and entered into a design franchise agreement in 2013 for the planning, design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance the plant. This agreement holds for a period of 25 years. The 988-acre plant is composed of some 16,000 parabolic
Minister of Energy and National Resources, Dr. Yuval Steinitz with Naty Saidoff, Shikun & Binui Group’s controlling shareholder
troughs and about half a million concave mirrors- all key components in generating clean energy.
The Negev Energy Power Station has a unique system for storing thermal energy which allows the plant to operate for an extra 4.5 hours daily at full power following sunset, and the investment in the construction of the plant is estimated at NIS 4 billion. Since Minister for National Resources, Yuval Steinitz, assumed office, he has focused on renewable energy in order to address climate change.
“I have used every possible means to increase the scope of [solar] energy. I believe that alongside natural gas, renewable energy is of paramount importance in reducing air pollution for the benefit of the health of all of us, and this policy is reflected in the “Plan 2030” that we are leading in order to stop the dependence of Israel on polluting fuels. The breakthrough in this field enables us, in addition to stopping the use of coal, to significantly promote the renewability goal for 2030,” Minister Steinitz explained.
Singapore-based Clermont Aerospace announced it has acquired a 70% stake in the Israeli startup electric plane maker Eviation, the developers of electric commuter aircraft Alice.
Clermont Aerospace, part of the international Clermont Group, will task subsidiary magniX with building the electric engine for Eviation’s Alice commuter aircraft, which was unveiled last June at the Paris Air Show. The streamlined plane, scheduled for commercial use by 2022, is designed to transport nine passengers up to 650 miles– approximately the distance from London to Zurich, or New York to Detroit. Eviation CEO Omer Bar-
Yohay said that 2019 “has been a pivotal year for everyone at the company – we debuted our first electric airplane, announced a partnership with magniX, and secured our first commercial contract with Cape Air. Clermont’s investment and expertise in business-building will enable us to accelerate our growth and take Eviation to new heights.”
Clermont Chairman Richard F. Chandler commented that “air travel connects cultures and communities but remains inefficient, polluting, and expensive. Through Eviation and magniX, we are leading the development of affordable and environmentally-friendly electric flights.” Financial details about the Clermont acquisition of Eviation were not disclosed.
Courtesy
The plant has been a significant contributor to the implementation of government policies as well as to the goals in connection with generating electricity from renewable energy.
Courtesy of PRNewsfoto/Shikun & Binui Ltd.
The largest solar project in Israel made its debut in the Negev Desert last month. The plant has begun to produce electricity and is now supplying renewable energy to Israel’s electricity grid – enough to meet the consumption needs of an estimated 70,000 households.
Artist’s rendering of Eviation’s Alice electric commuter plane
Jewish Times Asia October 2019
11
Business News
MMSU and Israel to partner in academic agricultural research
In a meeting held on 3 September, Israel’s Ambassador to the Philippines Rafael Harpaz said that aside from cementing these plans, the meeting also aimed to find more common grounds to nurture a strong relationship between the Israel and the MMSU.
Ambassador Harpaz said he wanted to focus on commercial technologies that can build startup technologies in smart agriculture in the Philippines, effectively mitigating climate change. Meanwhile, Agrupis welcomed the finalisation of plans by commenting that she is “open to the possibility of sending our faculty and students in Israel through exchange programmes, and to hosting Israeli scholars [in the Philippines] as well. In the past, students and
Courtesy of Marco Leo A. Magno, MMSU StratCom
Harpaz said he longed to visit MMSU when he was in
Manila “since the day I heard about MMSU president Shirley C. Agrupis’ leadership when she assumed office two years ago.”
From left to right: Mrs Shulanit Harpaz (wife of Mr Harpaz) and Ambassador Harpaz meeting with MMSU officials led by president Shirley C. Agrupis
personnel of MMSU have been beneficiaries of training opportunities from the State of Israel.” Agrupis said. Here she refers to the two agriculture students to
Israel for the Agricultural Training Program in 2005 to 2006, in which they learned commercial pomology production technologies. Records also showed that
in the 1990s, the MMSU had sent five researchers to Israel for training under the Agency for International Development Cooperation.
Defense contractor Rafael opens a new facility in India In late August, Astra Rafael Communication System (ARC), a joint venture between Astra Microwave and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, inaugurated a new facility at Hardware Technology Park (Hyderabad, India). Spanning more than 1,850 square meters, the facility shall meet the joint venture’s aims to combine technological ability, indigenous manufacturing, and Rafael’s technological expertise to support the requirements of the Indian Armed Forces. Rafael Advanced Defence Systems is one of Israel’s largest defence companies with 2018 annual revenues of over US$2.5 billion. President and CEO, Yoav
Twitter/@kishanreddybjp
Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), located in Ilocos Norte on the Philippine island of Luzon, will collaborate with Israel to conduct activities in line with academic enhancement programmes and agricultural research.
G Kishan Reddy, India’s Union Minister of State, Home Affairs opens the new facility with Israel’s Ambassador to India Ron Malka
Har-Even said of the initiative: “Our cooperation with India is strategic. This has been demonstrated a number of times, not just in declarations, but in actions. The inauguration of the facility here today is yet another proof of Rafael’s implementation of India’s Prime Minister’s “Make in India” strategy and policy, and of our ongoing and uncompromising support for the needs and requirements of the Indian Armed Forces.”
S Gurunatha Reddy, Managing Director of Astra Microwave, said the facility started its operations with a US$30 million order to be delivered within 24 months. An R&D facility is also being set up for innovations in new areas. ARC currently has ongoing orders for providing Software Defined Radios to the Indian Air Force.
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Jewish Times Asia October 2019
Business News Regional News
China’s Jiangsu Province sign hi-tech cooperation Israel to import electric cars and motorcycles from China deals and opens an innovation centre in Israel In September, China’s eastern province of Jiangsu signed 14 deals with Israel to enhance hi-tech cooperation in sectors of life science, medical devices, and smart manufacturing. This follows the official opening of the Israel-Jiangsu Centre, tasked with a mission to further diversify China-Israel innovation. This is China’s first provincial-level innovation centre located in Tel-Aviv, complementing the existing China-Changzhou Israel Innovation Park located in east China’s Jiangsu Province.
pected to be involved in the innovation cooperation with the help of the Centre and more cooperation results would be achieved in the coming future,” added Cui. Ilan Maimon, CEO of the Israel Jiangsu Centre, hopes that it will become a home in Israel to Chinese delegations and companies looking to invest in the nation, and secondly that it will introduce China into Israeli
companies that want to operate in China. China is Israel’s second biggest trade partner, with Jiangsu being the first Chinese province to establish these tech agreements with Israel. It serves as a model followed, soon to be followed with partnerships in nine other Chinese provinces and government ministries. GAC GS7 model car
Chinese electric cars will be sold for the first time in Israel starting in the first quarter of 2020, as an Israeli dealership will offer models of GAC Motor, China’s leading auto maker.
At the inaugural ceremony, Cui Yuting, counselor of Science and Technology ceremony, expressed hope that “the Centre will become an important bridge for the innovation cooperation connecting China and Israel. “More companies are ex-
Chen Wenxian/Xinhua
During the inauguration ceremony, the Israel-Jiangsu Centre signed an agreement with Israeli founding bodies the Zilker Company and Startup East.
The signing ceremony of hi-tech cooperation deals between China and Israel
The Israeli importing company of GAC electric cars will be a new subsidiary of Union Group, an Israeli Toyota car importer located in Tel-Aviv. Other electric car models of Chinese carmakers MG Motor, JAC Motors and NEVS are also expected to enter Israel next
year according to local media reports.
Chinese vehicle maker CF Moto has also entered the Israeli market with motorcycle models through local vehicle import company, Ofer Avnir. In the first phase, five motorcycle models will be marketed in Israel. Prices are expected to be lower than the equivalent corresponding European and Japanese brands for sale in Israel, with industry sources expecting a 25% difference.
Jewish Times Asia October 2019
13
Art • Culture • Music
HKJFF hits 20 years bringing a wide variety and diversity of Jewish-themed movies
Exhibition detailing Jewish roots in Israel displayed in Hong Kong school
The much anticipated annual film festival event for Hong Kong’s Jewish community returns as the 20th edition of Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival (HKJFF) will take place from 2 - 10 November at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center.
St. Stephen’s College in Stanley, Hong Kong, recently featured an exhibition on the history of Israel, entitled “People, Book, Land: The 3,500 Year Relationship of the Jewish People with the Holy Land”. It was co-commissioned by the Simon Wiesenthal Centre.
This year’s Jewish-themed films offers an incredibly diverse programme, with over 20 feature films, comedies, documentaries and shorts from different countries, including Israel, the US, Canada, Russia, Germany and Ethiopia. The Festival kicks off with Tel-Aviv on Fire, an awardwinning film about a young Palestinian TV show writer, who is sandwiched between different political views that affect his creativity on how the series should end. Using humour to tackle serious issues, this lighthearted film is not to be missed.
The Festival features titles illustrating different kinds of relationships. Redemption is a moving story about unconditional parental love, friendship and morality. Menachem is a devout man who finds his daughter diagnosed with cancer. He decides to re-form his rock band with his friends to
93Queen
Tel-Aviv On Fire
raise money for her expensive treatments. The movie won accolades in various film festivals, including Best Actor Award and Audience Award. Another appealing film is Back to Maracana, a road movie about three estranged family members on a wild journey from Israel to Brazil for the World Cup. The film describes contemporary Jewish family relationships and the charisma of soccer as a universal language.
For period drama lovers, Bye Bye Germany is a rarely seen post-war dramedy. David and his friends, a group of Nazi-era survivors, unite to sell high-end linens for money to leave Germany for US. This untypical Holocaust-inspired story portrays post-war Germany in an entertaining way.
fought against the Nazi threat with paper and pen in the 1940s. A secret group of professionals risked their lives to record what they witnessed and protected their writings against all odds from Nazi lies and propaganda.
A total of 25 panel displays of text and visuals illustrated the history of the Jews and their land, spanning a timeline of over 3500 years and showcasing Israel’s history from ancient times to date.
For full festival details and programmes: www.hkjff.org/2019-films-a-to-z/ Tickets: www.hkjff.org or www.asiasociety.org/hong-kong
It is was part of the school’s guided tour of the Heritage Trail, which was also open to the public during 26-29 September. Ahuva Spieler, Israel’s Consul General to Hong Kong, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony at St. Stephens College with the Principal Ms. Carol Yang.
Founded in 1999, the mission of the HKJIFF is to celebrate, educate, enlighten and entertain, offering interesting and unique views into the diversity of Jewish and Israeli life and culture.
Panel displays at the exhibition
The US based Simon Wiesenthal Centre is a global human rights organisation dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust. It recently established a travelling exhibition division that visits all parts of the world for educational resources. Its three landmark exhibitions have been displayed in the Vatican, on Capitol Hill, at the UN and other parts of the US and the world.
THE 5th HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
2019
第五屆香港國際鋼琴大賽
The Festival also offers a variety of documentaries for audiences. 93Queen follows the first all-female volunteer ambulance corps in New York City. It shows how Hasidic women make their mark by breaking through old-fashioned barriers in order to change their community into a better place.
美樂聚 7th -24th October 2019 2019 年 10 月 7-24 日
at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall 香 港 大 會 堂 音 樂 廳
Another highlight to be screened is a documentary entitled Who Will Write Our History that tells the stories of Jews who
Israel and Vietnam hold a folk concert On 25 August, Israel and Vietnam Folk Harmony took place in Lao Cao, Hanoi, as part of joint National Day and August Revolution anniversary celebrations.
Co-organised by the Lao Cai Provincial People’s Committee and Israel’s embassy in Vietnam, the event is an annual art and cultural exchange programme between the two countries. The programme included 12 performances; established Israeli dance group Hora Shemesh participated alongside Lao
Cai province’s ethnic art troupe, providing the Vietnamese audience with a lively perspective on Israeli life and culture.
Through the performances, the audiences had the opportunity to engage with Israeli folk music culture which originated from many parts of the world, all converging in Israeli dances. Meanwhile, the Lao Cai province’s ethnic art troupes presented to the audience special dance performances imbued with the cultural identity of Northwestern Vietnam.
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Dance performers from Vietnam
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14
Jewish Times Asia October 2019
Art • Culture • Music
Japanese Bikaku-style furniture on display in Israel
Abu Gosh Music Festival to take place during Sukkot
At the Periscope Design Gallery in Tel-Aviv last month, an array of Japanese Bikakustyle pieces were featured, complete with symbolic designs presenting both direct and personal interpretations.
The festival, held in the town of Abu Gosh just outside Jerusalem in the Judean hills, has existed in its present format since 1992, and takes place twice a year, on the Jewish festivals of Sukkot (October) and Shavuot (June).
The Bikaku furniture collection, meaning a sense of beauty, was presented under the name Bright Shadows, showcasing the works of two Israeli designers with Japanese roots. For artists Tal Shermeister and Sia Preminger, metalwork is the medium of choice. They took care not to take too much of it, always leaving traces of the creation process and tool marks visible instead of sanded away. This unrefined aesthetic lies at the heart of Bikaku, an
A Bikaku style table
Sofa chair with unfinished tool marks
artistic practice influenced by 12th Century Zen Buddhism, focusing on imperfections as beauty. Core values include reintroducing and repurposing flawed goods, developing them in an aesthetic means known as “Wabi-sabi”. “I grew up in a very Japanese-style household,” ex-
plained Preminger. “If Israeli children are allowed to play with their toys and leave them scattered about, we were always instructed to be mindful and put them in place. It was very important to my mother that we do this.” The pair frequently travel between Japan and Israel, being compelled by the cultural landscapes of both countries respectively. Loyal to their deep interest in Japanese values, they were inspired by the tradition of flawed beauty, or Wabi-sabi, to honour what is uniquely here and not to seek abject perfection for perfection’s sake.
The October Festival will run from 18-21 October. The Festival’s concerts are performed in two churches: the Crusader-Benedictine Church, built in the 12th century and situated in the heart of the village; and the Kiryat Ye’arim Church, situated at the top of the hill, overlooking Abu-Gosh. Hanna Tzur is the Music Director of the Abu Gosh Festival since 1995, and has served as conductor and musical director of the Ramat-Gan Chamber
Choir for 27 years. During Sukkot, the festival will host a cast of international choirs and vocal ensembles that will be performing classic, timeless works from all around the world. Amongst them is a renowned choir from Stuttgart, Germany, a fan-favourite which performs pieces composed by Bruckner, Verdi, Mendelssohn, and Mahler. The soloists of the choir are well-accomplished and known, having performed all around the world. Around 12 concerts will take place. Other highlights include Viva Italia, – Great Composers with leading Opera singers, the Bulgarian Ermena Quartet, a debut performance from Georgian Batumi Women Choir, and the Great Voices of Kolan Quintet, covering Georgian folk songs, Russian, and Chassidic songs.
Musical performers at the Abu Gosh Festival
Jewish Times Asia October 2019
15
Art • Culture • Music
Joy of Music Festival 2019 to accompany the Hong Kong International Piano Competition Sharing the spotlight at this year’s Joy of Music Festival will be the 5th Hong Kong International Piano Competition (HKIPC) organised by the Chopin Society of Hong Kong, which will run from 7-24 October at the City Hall Concert Hall.
The triennial piano competitions have previously taken place in 2005, 2008, and 2011. The event has now become one of the most demanding and prestigious competitions in the world. The judging panel includes conductors and other well-known musical artists. Around 44 candidates will
tober. It shall introduce Stella Chen – the victor of the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Violin Competition – who will be accompanied at the piano by HKIPC 2005 winner Ilya Rashkovskiy.
Conductor Ignat Solzhenitsyn
perform, which will be whittled down to 15 quarter finalists. Contestants this year include participants from Russia, South Korea, Ukraine, Poland, Australia, South Africa, Austria, and China. There will be two broad categories for the musicians to participate: chamber music or commissioned solo piano piece and concertos. There will be two groups of six finalists competing in a final concert show between 16-20 October. The first prize winner will receive a 18K gold medal and US$25,000, an album re-
Jinsang Lee
cording contract and a number of performance engagements, including membership of the Club of the First Prize Winners of HKIPC (with one of the benefits, being an invitation to participate every following year in the annual Joy of Music Festival). Second prize is US$15,000 and a silver medal, and third prize US$10,000 and a bronze medal. The eagerly anticipated ‘Gala Performances’ will run in conjunction with the piano competition and will start with The Winners Series on 15 Oc-
Another notable highlight on 24 October will be the Four Piano Concertos, performed by the members of the Jury of the HKIPC. These include Elisso Virsaladze, Mikhail Voskresensky, Pascal Roge, and Cyprien Katsaris, playing with the Orchestra of the Competition conducted by Maestro Ignat Solzhenitsyn. Alvaro Pierri, the international acclaimed guitarist, will
Stella Chen
be making his annual appearance at the festival, joined by other artists including Dusan Bogdanovic to perform guitar recitals. The concert will take place on 18 October. In addition all the previous HKIPC first prize winners (Ilya Rashkovskiy (2005), Jinsang Lee (2008), Giuseppe Andaloro (2011), Luka Okros (2016), and this years winner) will be performing two gala musical interludes on 21-22 October. The two-week extravanganza will be an event not to be missed.
For further enquiries and tickets contact URBTIX ticketing: www.urbtix.hk. Or contact directly the Chopin Society HK: www. chopinsocietyhk.org
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Jewish Times Asia October 2019
Art • Culture • Music
Israeli contemporary dance groups to showcase in Hong Kong To kick-start a three month promotion of Israeli contemporary dance performers, renowned Israeli actress-choreographer-dancer Renana Raz opened the second Tai Kwun Dance Season, staging the 16 Strings and One Body at JC Cube on 27-29 September. Ranana skilfully transplants the heart of chamber music into her choreography, an inspiring juxtaposition of dance and music which elevates the performing art experience. The stirring chamber music was performed by the Toscanini String Quartet, formed by four members of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. The Tai Kwun festival features a series of programmes by overseas and local artists and groups, generating dialogue about the feminine identity while disrupting external perceptions of dance by testing boundaries and conventions. A total of seven programmes are to be held from September to October to explore two key themes: identifying and breaking the boundaries of dance.
guage and their approach. TOML – Time of My Life, deals mainly with our ability to
Renana Raz performing 16 Strings and One Body
Later this month, choreographer and performer Dana Ruttenberg will present Dream Team on 24-27 October – a dance revolution waiting to be sparked from an ordinary “underground” ballroom! Dana is a 60 year-old performer, a “hasbeen” dancer, physiotherapist, and a single mother who seeks to return to the stage and a choreographer. In the ballroom, you are up close with the performers as they reveal their dreams, fantasies, and nightmares. To round off, Sol Dance
Company will perform TOML on 22 November at Kwai Sing Theatre, Kwai Chung. Sol Dance Company was founded in the ancient Old City of Be’er Sheva, in 2016. The ensemble is comprised of eight dynamic, unique dancers working to inspire their audiences through emotional intimacy on a human level. The house company of the ‘House of Dance Be’er Sheva’, Artistic Director Eyal Dadon works alongside his dancers to explore and develop their dance lan-
Dream Team
TOML
Book now www.hkjff.org
look at ourselves in a cynical way, in particular, our obsession with external beauty, and our ability to laugh at ourselves.
Jewish Times Asia October 2019
17
Art • Culture • Music
Theme announced for The Fourth Jerusalem Biennale for Contemporary Jewish Art
The exhibition explores the intersection between contemporary art and the Jewish world, and will this year take as its theme For Heaven’s Sake! (Le Shem Shamayim).
The 2019 Jerusalem Biennale showcases the work of 200 professional Israeli and international artists from around 15 countries. In all 30 exhibitions will be presented across 12 venues in Jerusalem, running from 10 October to 28 November.
For Heaven’s Sake! will allow an exploration of the motivation for action in general – and for artistic creation in particular – as well as the Jewish tradition of dispute. It refers to the wellknown verse from the Mishnah: “Any dispute which is for the sake of Heaven will ultimately endure, and one which is not for the sake of Heaven will not ultimately endure”. Founder and Creative Director Rami Ozeri, claims that it is “a metaphor with a range of possible interpretations that span the heavens themselves. “Two opposing viewpoints are prominent; one moves towards
Astha Butail travelled to Iran, the UK, and India to immerse herself in these traditions. In spring 2018, Butail was hosted by the Jerusalem Biennale, when she constructed a temporary dwelling in Jerusalem in which her conversations took place. Venue: Jerusalem International YMCA building.
In the Absence of Writing
the abstract, the heavenly and the spiritual; the second focuses on the human and earthly areas of dispute and argument as a way to guide intention in a heavenly direction.” Here are some of the highlighted selected exhibitions and venue locations during the event. In the Absence of Writing. Focused on three ancient living traditions with a strong emphasis on oral transmission – the Zoroastrian Avesta, the Jewish Oral Torah and the Indian Veda – Indian award-winning artist
Confrontation/Conversation. In this exhibition, 18 Argentinian artists create a large conceptual piece that morphs conversation with confrontation. A large mural with 36 black, gray, and white hexagons symbolises conversation, an essential component to coexistence, surrounded by 18 smaller rectangles. Curated by Mirta Kupferminc. Venue: The Wolfson Museum for Jewish Art, Hechal Shlomo. Feminine Waters. This solo exhibition by Chani Cohen Zada tells the stories of women from the Bible painted through a mystical perspective, where the dialectic of the divine, its masculine and feminine aspects meets. In Kabbalah, masculine waters represent the downward flow of divine benevolence and
ferences of opinion are not only tolerated but welcomed. Curated by Gargi Smith, co-founder and chief curator of the Indian Art Circle. Venue: The Wolfson Museum for Jewish Art, Hechal Shlomo.
In The East: Spain and Jerusalem at the Dewk Gallery, Mishkenot Sha’ananim’s Conference Center
feminine waters represent the elevation from below. Curated by Rachel Verliebter. Venue: The Wolfson Museum for Jewish Art, Hechal Shlomo. Experiments with Truth. This multi-media exhibition created by Indian artists from various faiths in the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth, seeks to explore religious thought through visual arts, while highlighting the similarities between sacred texts from numerous religions within India, and the Talmud, where dif-
During the biennale there will also be a Jewish Street Art Festival, which takes contemporary Jewish art out of the gallery and into the Jerusalem streets. Curator Hillel Smith brings together, for the first time, Jewish street artists from the Diaspora and Israel who create street art with Jewish themes. For futher information visit http://jerusalembiennale.org/
Jewish Street Art
18
Jewish Times Asia October 2019
Sukkot
T
How we celebrate the festival etables with children being encouraged to participate and beactively involved.
he festival of Sukkot which will be celebrated this year from 13-20 October, celebrates both historical and agricultural significance. It falls 5 days after Yom Kippur. The festival has many other names such as the ‘Festival of Booths’, and is referenced in Book of Leviticus: “You will dwell in booths for seven days; all natives of Israel shall dwell in booths.” (23:42). This symbolises the miraculous G-d provided the Children of Israel when they left Egypt. Also in the Book of Exodus (23:16) as Chag Ha’asif – the ‘Feast of Ingathering’ or ‘Harvest Festival’, the holiday was also referred to as the ‘Season of our Rejoicing.’ The festival of Sukkot is symbolic as it commemorates the forty-year period during which the Children of Israel were wandering in the desert, living in temporary shelters. Agriculturally as the “Harvest Festival’, during Temple times, families would go to the Temple to offer thanks for their fall harvests. Main obligation during Sukkot
During the festival, we are obligated to build and live in a Sukkah, a temporary hut where we traditionally eat and sleep. It represents the temporary huts that our ancestors lived in dur-
Simchat Torah, literally means ‘Rejoicing in the Torah’, and marks the completion of the reading of the Torah. The festival celebrates this joyous milestone. Outside of the Diaspora, Simchat Torah is celebrated twice. In the evening, after the Shemini Atzeret festival is out and then the following morning creating an extra day of services in the synagogue. Both evening and the following day children crowd the synagogue and wave beautifully adorned flags. Often
Taking the Four Species
An important commandment during the festival is to gather the Four Species: • Citron / Etrog • Myrtle branch / Haddas • Willow / Arava • Date palm / Lulav
Children helping to construct a Sukkah
ing the forty years they wandered in the desert.
The design is very specific, the structure must have at least three walls – only two full walls and part of a third are actually required. The fourth side may be open or be an adjoining part of the house. The roof must be a temporary structure and is meant to allow for shade from the sun but not restrict access to a starry view at night. Palm leaves are usually used. The openness of the Sukkah, likewise serves as a reminder to us to have an open heart to spirituality and humanity. The first two days are Yom Tovim and we refrain from work. The following five days are known as Chol Hamoed, and restrictions mostly to work are lifted.
There is a great tradition of hospitality during the week of the festival. In addition to inviting friends and family, celebrating on a communal level is common. Additionally, a number of spiritual Ushpizin (visitors or guests) are included on the honoured guest list including: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, and David. This practice further strengthens the bond we have with our ancestors and serves as a reminder of our continuity as a people. The Sukkah is decorated with hanging fruits and veg-
Participants search for and aim to obtain the finest specimens available and take great
Shemini Atzeret is also known as the ‘Eighth Day of Assembly’, immediately follows the seventh day of Sukkot, and is considered a separate holiday. Simchat Torah falls on the second day of Shemini Atzeret for Diaspora Jews. In Israel the two days are combined. Shemini Atzeret is referenced in the Book of Numbers (29:35). Rabbinic literature
the flags are home made and colourful ribbons adorn these expressions of joy. In many communities children also carry candy apples and participants throw sweets. The holiday is characterised by a frenzy of joyous and spontaneous dancing and singing. Children are swept up with the crowds. The congregants parade around the synagogue. Seven rotations are made around the synagogue known as Hakafot. The number seven represents the seven days of the week and therefore completes the cycle of creation. All the Torahs are taken out from the ark and paraded around.
In the morning, the festivities continue. In traditional communities, every man in the
Congregants dancing with the Torahs
synagogue is called to the Torah and given an Aliyah.
The greatest honours however are reserved for the Chatan Torah (Groom of the Torah) and Chatan Bereshit (Groom of Bereshit), those selected to recite the final verses and beginning verses of the Torah respectively. The last Parasha is read and immediately after the first Parasha is read, thus Genesis immediately follows Deuteronomy without pause or hesitation. This act symbolises the
Taking the Four Species
pride in this Hiddur Mitzvah (enhancing of the mitzvah).
During the last days of Sukkot, we also celebrate additional festivals. These days are also considered Yom Tovim, no work is permitted and we attend the synagogue for prayer.
Shemini Atzeret – the extra day from G-d
Simchat Torah – Rejoicing of the Torah
The eve of Simchat Torah is the only evening in which the Torah is read at night. The service concludes with the final verses of Deuteronomy.
Children kissing the Torah
While some people make an effort to eat every meal in the Sukkah, rabbinical authorities remind us that in rain one is not necessarily required to eat in the Sukkah, as there should not be any discomfort.
They should be purchased before the holiday. The Four Species are emblematic to this holiday. The requirement of the Four Species is taken from Leviticus (23:40). All people are required to take this requirement not only to experience the mitzvah, but take ownership of it, and acquire their own set of Lulav and Etrog.
continuity of the Jewish people. The cycles, rituals and values of our ancestors are continuously renewed with each generation. Rejoicing over the completion of the Torah but also over the new start and the unbroken chain of dedication and faith. A special custom called Kol Hane’arim calls upon all children below Bar and Bat Mitzvah age to be called to the Torah. A tallit is held above the children’s heads, as they congregate on the Bimah, as part of one of the final Aliyot.
explains that our Creator is like a host, who invites us as visitors for a limited time, but when the time comes for us to leave, He has enjoyed Himself so much that He asks us to stay another day. The Yitzkor memorial service is also recited on this day during synagogue service and a Prayer for Rain is recited and added to the Amidah.
Simchat Torah is also marked by wedding symbolism and is viewed as the wedding of the Jewish people to the Torah. The seven encirclements are also powerful symbols reminiscent of wedding rituals, hence the reference to the ‘Bridegroom of Torah’ and the ‘Bridegroom of Bereshit’. The power of the symbols of Simchat Torah to connect us to our people and our heritage is relived each year.
Old and young join one another to make a continuous procession around the synagogue. Children are given the honour of carrying some of the smaller Torahs and all, even the smallest, are given an Aliyot and made into active participants. There is no Biblical reference for this festival and the roots have been traced back only as far as the eleventh century.
Jewish Times Asia October 2019
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October Parashas 5 October 2019 / 6 Tishrei 5780: VAYELECH
19 October 2019 / 20 Tishrei 5780: SHABBAT CHOL HAMOED SUKKOT
Parasha Vayelech covers the last day of Moshe’s life 7 Adar 2488. Exactly 120 years earlier the world was graced with the birth of a child who brought redemption to his people and the light of Torah to the world. Trials and tribulations, rebellions and conspiracies, disillusionment, yet, Moshe never gave up. He nurtured the Jews “like a mother cares for her child”. Moses tells them to constantly reminds us of the covenant between G-d and the Jewish people. From this we learn of the Mitzvah for every Jew to write for himself a Sefer Torah.
The Torah reading comes from the Book of Exodus 33:12-34:26. G‑d agrees to Moses’ request that His presence only dwell amongst the Jews. Moses requests to be shown G‑d’s glory. G‑d agrees, but informs Moses that he will only be shown G‑d’s “back,” not G‑d’s “face.” G‑d tells Moses to carve new tablets upon which G‑d will engrave the Ten Commandments. Moses takes the new tablets up to Mt. Sinai, where G‑d reveals His glory to Moses while proclaiming His Thirteen Attributes of Mercy. G‑d seals a covenant with Moses, assuring him again that His presence will only dwell with the Jews. G‑d informs the Jewish people that He will drive the Canaanites from before them. He instructs them to destroy all vestiges of idolatry from the land. Also mentioned are the commandments to observe the three festivals — including the holiday of Sukkot, “the festival of the ingathering, at the turn of the year.” All males are commanded to make pilgrimage to “be seen by G‑d” during these three festivals.
12 October 2019 / 13 Tishrei 5780: HA’ AZINU The Parasha is a song. Moshe begins by describing the presence of Hashem in nature as being as evident as the rain or dew that nourish the fields and gardens. G-d is entirely just, always good, always compassionate and forgiving. Therefore, all destruction and negativity must be ascribed directly to the ill fated decisions and actions of His children. Moshe’s song ends with the Jewish people singing forth their acceptance and understanding of divine purpose and justice.
26 October 2019 / 27 Tishrei 5780: BERESHIT SHABBAT MEVARECHIM The Torah opens with the story of creation and the institution of the Shabbat on the seventh day. G-d created the world in six days and rested on the seventh day. Adam is created on the sixth day of creation as are all the animals.
HOLIDAYS/ FASTS/ ROSH CHODESH/ SPECIAL DAYS Sukkot Eve:
Simchat Torah:
13 October 2019 (14 Tishrei 5780)
22 October 2019 (23 Tishrei 5780)
Sukkot:
Rosh Chodesh:
14 October 2019 (15 Tishrei 5780) – 29 October 2019 (30 Tishrei 5780) 20 October 2019 (21 Tishrei 5780) 30 October 2019 (1 Cheshvan 5780)
Shemini Atzeret: 21 October 2019 (22 Tishrei 5780)
The Torah goes into great detail about the birth of Adam, and his naming of all the other animals. Eve, his life partner is created from a rib taken from Adam. At first Adam and Eve live unclothed in the Garden of Eden, until they eat of the fruit from the forbidden tree, and feel ashamed in their nakedness, and resort to wearing clothes, and expelled from the Garden of Eden. They give birth to Cain and Abel. Cain kills Abel because of his gealousy of his brother’s whose offering to G-d is accepted but not his. The generations of Man are listed. When the generations become corrupt G-d resolves to destroy them except for Noach and his family. Candle Lighting Times for October
Cities
4-October
11-October
18-October
Bangkok Beijing Guangzhou Hong Kong Kathmandu Kobe Manila Mumbai Perth Shanghai Singapore Seoul Taipei Tokyo
5:48 5:35 5:54 5:51 5:29 5:22 5:26 6:07 6:02 5:18 6:38 5:54 5:20 5:04
5:43 5:24 5:47 5:44 5:22 5:13 5:21 6:01 6:05 5:13 6:37 5:44 5:13 4:58
5:39 5:14 5:41 5:38 5:14 5:04 5:17 5:56 6:12 5:02 6:34 5:34 5:07 4:45
25-October 5:36 5:04 5:36 5:33 5:08 4:56 5:13 5:51 6:17 4:54 6:33 5:25 5:01 4:36
Candlelighting times are taken from Chabad.org.
JEWISH COMMUNITIES IN ASIA CAMBODIA
Chabad Jewish Center House # 32, Street 228, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Tel: (855) 85 807 205 www.jewishcambodia.com
CHINA
HONG KONG
PHILIPPINES
Chabad of Hong Kong: 1/F Hoover Court, 7-9 Macdonell Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2523 9770 www.chabadhk.org
SINGAPORE
Jewish Community Centre: One Robinson Place, 70 Robinson Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2801 5440 www.jcc.org.hk
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
Ohel Leah Synagogue: 70 Robinson Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2589 2621 www.ohelleah.org
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
The Israeli Chamber 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 email: icochk@biznetvigator.com
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
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
Guangzhou Guangzhou Chabad: 31 He Ping Lu, Overseas Village, Guangzhou, China Tel: (86) 137 1050 5049 www.chabadgz.org
Chabad of Kowloon: Oriental Centre 1/F Unit D, 67-71 Chatham Road, 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
Chabad of Pudong: Vila # 69, 2255 Luoshan Road, Shanghai, 200135, PR China Tel: (86) 21 5878 2008 www.chinajewish.org 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 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 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
INDIA (MUMBAI)
Kenesseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, 43 Dr V.B. Gandhi Marg, Fort, Mumbai Tel: (91) 22 22831502 / 22839617 Kurla Bene Israel: 275 C.S.T. Rd, Jewish Colony, Kurla (W) Mumbai, India Tel: (91) 22 511-2132
JAPAN
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 Tokyo Tokyo Chabad: 1-5-23 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo Japan 108-0073 Tel: (813) 5789 2846 www.chabad.jp 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
NEPAL
Chabad House: GHA-2-516-4 Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: (977) 980 324 1294 chabadnepal@hotmail.com
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
SOUTH KOREA Chabad: 744-18 Hannam-Dong, Yongsan-Gu, Seoul 140-893, South Korea Tel: (82) 107 730 3770 www.jewishkorea.com
TAIWAN
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 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 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 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
VIETNAM
Chabad: 5A (villa) Nguyen Dinh Chieu St., Dakao ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam Tel: (84) 90 9166770 www.JewishVietnam.com
Boffi De Padova Studio – KI Design Limited Shop 301-310 Lee Garden Three, No.1 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Tel: 2868 1134 www.kih.com.hk
boffi.com