The United Jewish Congregation of Hong Kong (UJC) was founded in 1988 by long term residents of Hong Kong, Robert Green and Charles Monat. Their objective for the UJC was "to advocate the cause of Reform, Liberal, Conservative, and other non-Orthodox Jews in Hong Kong" and to encourage their participation in Jewish life to the fullest. We are a warm, welcoming, vibrant congregation, with adults and children actively engaged in all aspects of the community.

COMMUNITY PROFILE

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

ACTIVITIES & PROGRAMS

The UJC holds weekly Shabbat services in its permanent Sanctuary in the auditorium of the Jewish Community Centre, followed by a community dinner, also in the JCC. There are also weekly Saturday morning Torah study sessions in the Rabbi's apartment. In addition to our weekly services, we also hold High Holy Day and festival services, including a community Passover Seder.

The Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, educational programs, youth group and a strong network of communal support highlight the importance of the UJC in the lives of its members. There is also a monthly "Tot Shabbat" before the regular Friday night service.

The UJC supports its members in the full range of Jewish life-cycle events. Rabbinical counselling and conversion classes are available, and the rabbi is involved in interfaith activities and visits to Hong Kong schools to explain Judaism and its symbols, beliefs, and holidays.

Regular activities for adults include a monthly hiking group, an interfaith family dialogue group, adult Hebrew classes (basic and advanced), a variety of adult education classes, a Jewish book group, and a monthly social event known as the "Jewish Beer Drinking Association." There are also adult Chanukkah and Purim parties, and an annual fund-raising gala.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

The UJC also has a Tzedakah program. In China, for example, the Congregation has provided substantial support to a development project administered by The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee in Shanghai's Hongkou District, which housed over 20,000 Jewish refugees from Nazi-dominated Europe in the 1940s.

The Tikkun Olam Committee was formalized in October 2000 to involve the congregation in local Hong Kong charities and has been very productive since, working with local groups including Springboard and the Matilda Hospital. These groups primarily focus on helping developmentally challenged children in Hong Kong. The term Tikkun Olam means "repairing the world." UJC has also provided support to Lifeline for the Aged, an organization based in Israel that offers work opportunities, support services and intergenerational programs for needy elderly and disabled in Jerusalem.