A Date of Joy, Growth, and Tradition at the JCC

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2026-04-10

A Date of Joy, Growth, and Tradition at the JCC

From festive gatherings to meaningful milestones, discover how community and culture came together this March.

World Tennis Day Taiwan First Celebration at the JCC

世界網球日台灣首慶於 JCC

On March 1, the Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center welcomed a vibrant gathering for the “World Tennis Day Taiwan First Celebration.” At the beginning of spring, guests from diverse backgrounds came together, using sport and conversation to mark an energetic start to the month.

World Tennis Day, launched by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in 2013, aims to en courage greater participation in tennis and to share the values of focus, discipline, and passion that the sport represents.

This event was initiated and organized by Ms. Catherine Shiao, global official representative of the Rafa Nadal Academy, who chose the JCC as the venue—making Taiwan’s first celebration of World Tennis Day part of a space dedicated to cultural connection. Distinguished guests in attendance included Mr. Chang Szu-Min, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Taipei Tennis Association, Founder Jeffrey D. Schwartz, and Ms. Liu Yu-Lan, a 92-year-old veteran of the tennis community, all gathering to witness this meaningful occasion.

The event took the form of a high-table standing reception, allowing guests to move freely and engage in relaxed conversation. The JCC also prepared an elegant afternoon tea from the Kosher Culinary Lab, offering a sensory extension of the cultural experience.

In this setting, sport became more than competition—it became a shared language. Guests from different backgrounds connected through dialogue and presence, marking a warm and memorable beginning for World Tennis Day in Taiwan.

At the JCC, diverse forms of gathering continue to bring together culture, daily life, and community. When the spirit of the court enters a cultural space, new possibilities for connection naturally unfold.

3 月 1 日，Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center 迎來一場充滿活力的聚會——「世界網球日台灣首慶」。在春天初始之際，來自不同領域的來賓齊聚一堂，透過運動與交流，為三月揭開明亮而流動的序幕。

世界網球日（World Tennis Day）由國際網球總會（ITF）自 2013 年發起，旨在讓更多人認識並參與網球運動，讓這項運動所承載的專注、紀律與熱情，在世界各地持續傳遞。

本次活動由納達爾網球學院全球官方代理人蕭玉芬小姐發起與策劃，並選擇於 JCC 舉行，使台灣首次的世界網球日慶祝，落在一個同樣重視文化與連結的場域之中。當天多位嘉賓蒞臨，包括中華民國網球協會副理事長張思敏先生、JTCA 創始人薛智偉先生，以及高齡九十二歲、長年活躍於網壇的劉玉蘭女士，共同見證這個別具意義的時刻。

活動以高腳桌交流酒會形式進行，讓賓客自在走動，在輕鬆的氛圍中展開對話。JCC 亦準備了猶太潔食實驗室的精緻下午茶，讓交流不僅停留於言語，也延伸至味覺與生活的體驗之中。

在這樣的午後，運動不只是競技，而成為一種連結彼此的語言。不同背景的來賓在此相遇，透過分享與交流，讓世界網球日的精神在台灣留下溫暖的起點。

JCC 持續透過多元形式的活動，讓文化、生活與人群彼此交織。當球場的精神走進文化空間，也讓更多相遇有了新的可能。

Purim Football Celebration — Culture and Joy at the JCC

普珥節足球嘉年華 — 文化與歡笑在 JCC

From late February to early March, the Jewish calendar enters the month of Adar, a time marked by the joyful festival of Purim. This year, the Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center hosted a football-themed Purim celebration, bringing a playful and engaging twist to this beloved holiday.

The evening began in the Synagogue, where guests gathered for the reading and prayers. As the name of Haman was mentioned, participants shook the traditional Gragger, creating loud, lively sounds that symbolize the rejection of evil and the celebration of deliverance—filling the space with a sense of joy and participation.

The celebration continued with a series of interactive games, where guests took on the role of players on a symbolic football field, blending festivity with playful engagement. Traditional Purim treats, including Hamantaschen, were also served, bringing the sweetness and stories of the holiday into the shared experience.

Founder Jeffrey D. Schwartz joined the celebration alongside the community, sharing in the joy and spirit of togetherness. Through gatherings like this, the JCC continues to bring culture, education, and community life into natural connection—allowing each guest to experience the vibrancy and warmth of Jewish traditions.

二月底至三月初，是猶太歷法中的亞達月，而普珥節（Purim）是其中重要的節慶。今年，Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center 舉辦了以足球為主題的普珥節晚會，為社區帶來別開生面的節慶體驗。

晚會於聖殿開始，賓客們一同參與祈禱儀式。當讀到哈曼的名字時，大家搖動普珥節搖響器（Gragger），發出響亮聲響，象徵驅散邪惡、慶祝拯救，為節日帶來歡樂氣氛。

晚會中特別安排多場互動小遊戲，讓賓客化身為足球場上的球員，寓教於樂地參與活動。同時，現場提供普珥節傳統點心，如哈曼耳朵（Hamantaschen）等，將猶太節慶的甜美與故事帶入生活。

創始人薛智偉先生也親自參與此次社區活動，與社群一同歡慶，體驗節日的喜悅與團結。JCC 希望透過這樣的活動，不僅讓節日氣氛活現，也讓文化、教育與社群互動自然融合，讓每一位來賓都能感受猶太文化的生動與溫暖。

A Moment of Coming of Age

Bat Mitzvah at the JCC

在成長之中，承接傳統－成年禮於 JCC

In March, alongside the joyful celebration of Purim, the JCC also marked a meaningful life milestone—the Bat Mitzvah of the Rabbi’s daughter. On this day, personal growth and cultural tradition came together, allowing the community to witness an important transition.

In Jewish tradition, a girl celebrates her Bat Mitzvah at the age of twelve, symbolizing her assumption of religious and moral responsibilities and her role as an independent member of the community. More than a ceremony, it is a journey of learning, connection, and identity. From reading sacred texts to sharing reflections, each step represents a passage into maturity.

The ceremony took place in the Ballroom, where family and friends gathered in a setting both solemn and warm. The celebration that followed carried forward this sense of joy, as blessings were shared through conversation and togetherness.

Founder Jeffrey D. Schwartz was also present, joining the community in witnessing this meaningful occasion. For the JCC, such moments are not only personal milestones, but also expressions of cultural continuity. As one generation passes on its traditions to the next, the bonds of community are strengthened.

Between celebration and daily life, between joy and reflection, the JCC continues to hold both memory and future—where every gathering becomes a continuation of tradition.

三月，除了充滿歡樂氛圍的普珥節，JCC 也迎來了一場別具意義的生命時刻——Rabbi 女兒的成年禮（Bat Mitzvah）。在這一天，個人成長與文化傳承交織，讓社群共同見證一段重要的轉變。

在猶太傳統中，女孩於十二歲舉行 Bat Mitzvah（成年禮），象徵正式承擔宗教與道德責任，成為社群中獨立的一員。這不僅是一場儀式，更是一段關於學習、承接與認同的過程。從誦讀經文、理解教義，到站在眾人面前分享，都是邁向成熟的重要一步。

當天活動於大禮堂進行，在莊重而溫暖的氛圍裡，家人與朋友齊聚一堂，見證這個跨越童年與成長的時刻。隨後的慶祝活動延續了這份喜悅，讓祝福在交流與歡笑中自然流動。

創始人薛智偉先生亦出席參與，與社群一同見證這份珍貴時刻。對 JCC 而言，這樣的儀式不只是個人的里程碑，更是文化延續的重要片段。當一個世代將傳統交付給下一個世代，社群的連結也在其中持續延伸。

在節慶與日常之間，在歡笑與莊重之中，JCC 持續承載著文化的記憶與未來。每一次相聚，都是一次傳承的開始。

Preparing Through Purification

Getting Ready for Passover at the JCC

從潔淨開始，迎接逾越節的到來

JCC 的逾越節準備

As the joyful month of Adar comes to a close, the Jewish calendar enters Nisan, marking the approach of one of the most significant holidays—Passover.

In many Eastern cultures, a “deep clean” often refers to tidying and organizing. In Jewish tradition, however, preparing for Passover carries a deeper meaning. At the JCC, this season is marked by the annual Deep Clean, a process rooted in both culture and faith.

One of the central practices before Passover is the complete removal of Chametz (leavened products). This goes beyond surface cleaning—it is a process of purification. Every corner of the kitchen and every utensil must be carefully examined to ensure that any trace of contact with leavened food is fully removed.

As part of this preparation, the Rabbi applies high heat to cookware using a flame, followed by a final cleansing with hot water. These actions, though seemingly simple, follow traditions that have been observed for thousands of years—returning each item to a state suitable for the holiday.

In this context, cleanliness is not only what is visible, but also what is defined through tradition and practice.

As preparations continue, the atmosphere of the holiday gradually takes shape. This year, the JCC once again welcomes guests to experience Passover—not only as a meal, but as a living tradition expressed through ritual, prayer, and shared memory.