40 Years of Jewish Growth in Asia

40 Years of Jewish Growth in Asia

A New Chapter of Jewish Life in Asia

Forty years ago, Chabad had just one emissary outpost in Asia.

Today, there are approximately 60 Chabad centers across Asia — from Hong Kong and Taiwan to Japan, Korea, India, Thailand, and Southeast Asia — as Jewish communities continue to grow and build lives of their own.

This August,  Chabad shuluchim from 15 countries gathered in Taipei for the Asian Kinus Hashluchim.

For JTCA, this was more than a gathering.

We witnessed an important transformation in Jewish life across Asia:

In the past, many people came to Asia for only a short stay — for travel, work, or business.

Today, more and more Jewish families are choosing to live, grow, and build their communities here, including the next generation.

During this year's Kinus Hashluchim, Taiwan was highlighted as one of the notable examples of this growth.

When Rabbi Shlomi Tabib and Racheli arrived in Taiwan in 2011, they had contact information for approximately 70 Jews. Today, Taiwan is home to an estimated 1,500 Jews.

From 70 to 1,500 — this is more than a change in numbers.

As the community has grown, so has the infrastructure needed to support Jewish life: prayer, education, kosher food, holiday celebrations, youth programs, and spaces where Jewish families can gather and grow.

At JTCA, we have witnessed this transformation firsthand.

With the generous support of our Founder, Jeffrey D. Schwartz, and through his close partnership with Rabbi Shlomi Tabib, a vision for Jewish life in Taiwan began to take shape.

Rabbi Shlomi brought the strength of faith, education, and community-building; our Founder's generous support helped turn that vision into something tangible.

Together, they helped create the foundations for a Jewish community — from a synagogue and educational spaces to kosher restaurant, a mikveh, Judaica museum and spaces for the wider community.

Taiwan's Jewish presence has evolved from providing Jewish service for travelers and short-term visitors to building a Jewish life where people can pray, learn, celebrate, build families, and truly live.

From Jewish service to Jewish life.
From passing through to putting down roots.

And this August, when Chabad shuluchim from across Asia gathered in Taipei, we were reminded once again:

Jewish life in Asia is taking root.

This is the story we have witnessed in Taiwan — and a story that is unfolding across Asia.