delegation from the Israeli Knesset visited the Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center
On May 4, a delegation from the Israeli Knesset visited the Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center (JCC) for cultural exchange and community engagement. The delegation was welcomed by Alex from the Jewish Taiwan Cultural Association (JTCA) and Rabbi Shlomi from Chabad Taiwan.
The distinguished guests included:
• Mickey Levy, Former Speaker of the Knesset & Senior Member of the Knesset
• Boaz Toporovsky, Chairman of the Taiwan-Israel Parliamentary Group and Member of the Knesset
• Yonatan Mishraki, Member of the Knesset
• Ron Katz, Member of the Knesset
• Amitai Young, Parliamentary Advisor and Chief of Staff for MK Mickey Levy
• Ambassador Abby Lee from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Israel
JCC would especially like to thank Chairman Boaz Toporovsky for his long-standing support of Taiwan-Israel relations and exchanges, and also express appreciation to the delegation for making the journey to Taiwan during this significant time.
During the visit, the delegation learned more about how the Jewish community in Taiwan lives and operates through its community center. They also toured Taiwan’s only Mikvah built fully in accordance with Jewish law. Through the detailed introduction, the guests gained a deeper understanding of how challenging it is to establish such a space in Taiwan, making its existence all the more meaningful and precious.
Throughout the tour, the members of the delegation were deeply impressed by the JCC space created in Taiwan by founder Jeffrey D. Schwartz. From Jewish cultural collections and artistic spaces to the integration of community life and faith, every part of the center reflected a thoughtful vision and dedication.
Especially upon entering the synagogue and seeing the Torah, several members of the delegation naturally stepped forward in respect. In that moment, it felt like more than cultural exchange — it was a reflection of how Jewish culture has been genuinely preserved and continued here in Taiwan.
Following the tour, the delegation was invited to a luncheon at the Kosher Culinary Lab, where they dined in the JCC VIP room surrounded by Mr. Schwartz’s private collections, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of dining within a museum.
As Taiwan’s only kosher restaurant, the center also prepared a selection of Middle Eastern and Jewish dishes, including hummus and tagine dishes, leaving the guests pleasantly surprised that Taiwan could present such an authentic and high-quality kosher culinary experience.
The Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center will continue serving as an important bridge between Taiwan and the international Jewish community, allowing more cultural exchange and friendship to be seen and carried forward through this space.
