Official Diplomacy and Cultural Exchange Join Hands: The Jerusalem Post Publishes Joint Op-Ed by Ambassador Abby Lee and JTCA Founder Jeffrey D. Schwartz

Official Diplomacy and Cultural Exchange Join Hands: The Jerusalem Post Publishes Joint Op-Ed by Ambassador Abby Lee and JTCA Founder Jeffrey D. Schwartz

An article can document an event. But when it is co-authored by a diplomatic representative and a cultural leader, it tells a much larger story—one of friendship that has been built across borders through years of mutual understanding and shared commitment.

Recently, The Jerusalem Post, one of Israel's leading English-language newspapers, published a joint opinion piece by Ambassador Abby Lee, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Israel, and Jeffrey D. Schwartz, Founder of the Jewish Taiwan Cultural Association (JTCA). Taking Taiwan's first official delegation to the Maccabiah Games as its starting point, the article reflects on the enduring friendship between Taiwan and Israel and highlights the vital role that people-to-people connections have played in strengthening bilateral relations.

Although Taiwan and Israel are separated by thousands of kilometers, they are united by their shared commitment to democracy, freedom, diversity, and innovation. Over the years, cooperation has expanded across technology, education, healthcare, culture, tourism, and industry. More importantly, the article conveys a powerful message: while official diplomacy provides the framework for cooperation, it is cultural and people-to-people exchange that allows genuine friendship to take root.

The relationship between Taiwan and Israel has never been defined solely by diplomatic visits, trade agreements, or institutional partnerships. It has also been shaped by countless personal encounters—an Israeli student studying Mandarin in Taiwan, a Taiwanese visitor stepping into a synagogue for the first time, a cultural lecture, a Shabbat dinner, or a shared moment of remembrance. These seemingly ordinary experiences have become the foundation upon which trust, understanding, and lasting friendship continue to grow.

As one of the co-authors, JTCA Founder Jeffrey D. Schwartz reflects on his more than five decades of life in Taiwan and the vision he shared with his late wife, Na Tang, when they established JTCA. They believed that cultural exchange is not simply about introducing one culture to another; it is about fostering genuine understanding through dialogue, respect, and meaningful human connection. This vision led to the establishment of the Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Taipei in 2021—a home for Taiwan's Jewish community and, equally important, an open gateway through which Taiwanese society can experience Jewish life, traditions, and culture firsthand.

The article also highlights the long-standing cooperation between Taiwan and Israel in education, cultural initiatives, and International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorations, as well as Taiwan's continued support for Israel during times of crisis. These enduring efforts reflect not only the democratic values shared by both societies, but also the trust and solidarity that have been cultivated over many years.

Perhaps the most meaningful aspect of this publication is the fact that it brings together the voices of official diplomacy and grassroots cultural engagement. Ambassador Abby Lee represents the continued growth of Taiwan–Israel relations at the governmental level, while Jeffrey D. Schwartz represents decades of people-to-people connections fostered through cultural, educational, and community engagement. Together, their perspectives illustrate one essential truth: lasting friendship is not built by diplomacy alone—it flourishes through genuine human relationships.

From Taipei to Jerusalem, this joint op-ed in The Jerusalem Post shares with international readers not only the achievements of Taiwan–Israel relations, but also the spirit that has sustained them. Every enduring friendship begins with understanding, every meaningful exchange creates new opportunities, and together, official diplomacy and civil society will continue building bridges of trust, cooperation, and friendship between Taiwan and Israel.

Read the full article in The Jerusalem Post:
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-903286?utm_source=jpost.app.apple&utm_medium=share