Building Global Connections: A Meaningful Interaction with Park Synagogue in Cleveland
Dear Friends,
Recently, I was very pleased to engage in a meaningful exchange with Park Synagogue in Cleveland, USA. I also took the opportunity to film a special video, hoping that through my introduction, friends from around the world can catch a glimpse of the splendor of the Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center.
This exchange holds great significance for me. Park Synagogue is the place where I received my Jewish education and studied the Torah during my youth. It is where I had my Bar Mitzvah and later my Confirmation. This synagogue is indelibly etched in my memory and is a fundamental part of who I am. I will never forget the majestic dome in the main sanctuary, which impressed upon me the holiness of G-d and the Torah. It was a place dedicated to instilling the moral compass of Judaism in every boy and girl who passed through its doors.
I must admit, I was not one of the students who stood out or would be particularly remembered by any teacher. There was nothing remarkable about me. However, a small Jewish spark was ignited in my heart, which slowly smoldered over five decades before blossoming into a passionate flame of Judaism. In the later stages of my life, I have finally come to understand the lessons Park Synagogue was trying to impart. Now, I surround myself with Torah and the commentaries of Jewish sages, spanning from ancient times to the great modern rabbis of our day.
What a rich heritage we have, what a profound moral code, what a life of Torah, mitzvahs, learning, and self-refinement as we believe G-d intended. Every now and then, we all need to return to the place where it all began. For me, that place is my family home in Cleveland and Park Synagogue. I have an unwavering heart full of thanks and gratitude to my family, Cleveland, and Park Synagogue.
Here in Taiwan, through interactions with Jewish communities from different countries, we not only deepen our friendships and connections but also strengthen the ties among Jewish communities worldwide. I firmly believe that cultural exchanges and interactions are key to promoting global peace and harmony.
In the video, I showcased to friends at Park Synagogue the sacred and beautiful architecture of our center, our museum, the kosher food lab, and various facilities and spaces. I hope that through this exchange, I can show more people our passion and mission in this endeavor and inspire their interest in cultural exchanges.
In the future, I hope to continue building good connections with Jewish communities worldwide, jointly promoting cultural dissemination and understanding. Through these efforts, I believe we can work together to create a more harmonious and beautiful world and future.
Celebrating the Great Success of the Third Annual Passover Seder (Year 5784) at the Jewish Community Center in Taiwan
The Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center has hosted our third annual "Passover Seder" this year. We sincerely thank everyone for their generous participation and support each year, and both Passover Seder in the Jewish year 5784 have successfully concluded amid joyful songs.
The JTCA always committed to the important principle of cultural promotion, has consistently organized various cultural, religious, and artistic events for the Jewish community in Taiwan and all the non-Jewish friendly individuals. These events provide opportunities for people to gather and share important history and holiday meanings, especially during the unique kosher feasts offered exclusively at our center.
What sets the JTCA's Passover Seder apart is that it's not limited to Jewish attendees. We even organize sessions specifically for non-Jewish participants, where, guided by the Rabbi, everyone follows millennium-old traditions throughout the ceremony.
During the rituals, we have to experience the hardships endured by our ancestors, consuming bitter vegetable and Matzah (unleavened bread), while also partaking in the symbolic wine representing freedom and the beginning of a better life.As always, the "Kosher Culinary Lab" also presented an unparalleledPassover feast this year. Meeting the strict dietary regulations of Passover required rigorous kitchen cleanliness and purification rituals, and our chefs spared no effort to create sumptuous dishes for everyone to enjoy during the festival.
For example, our star dish, the "Salmon Gravlax on N.Y. Bagel," ingeniously replaced the original bagel base with fresh apples. Additionally, the highly praised "Chocolate Cake" was modified to be entirely flour-free to adhere to the unleavened requirement. All these efforts were made to ensure that amidst delicious cuisine, everyone could experience the most authentic and enjoyable cultural immersion.
As the eight-day Passover festival comes to a successful close, let us reflect on past mistakes and look forward to a future of prosperity and happiness.
See you next year in Jerusalem!
A New Jewel in Taiwan's Tourism Crown: The Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center Welcomes Taiwan's Ambassador to Israel, Ms. Abby Lee, and Members of the Taiwan Faction of the Israeli Knesset.
Through constant effort and progress, the "Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center" has become increasingly recognized by the world and has essentially become a brand-new global attraction. In particular, our promotion and inheritance of Jewish culture, the stunning and highly distinctive architecture, as well as the only kosher restaurant in Taiwan, have all been the focus of praise from visitors from all over.
At our museum, we unveils the mysterious veil of Jewish culture to visitors everyday, allowing everyone to learn about the various festivals, cultures, histories, and customs of the Jewish people as they appreciate the cultural relics. And the "Kosher Culinary Lab" provides the best channel for everyone to understand "Kosher".
As the warm spring arrives, it is also the perfect season to welcome good friends from around the world. Last month, we were honored to host several good friends from the Israeli government agencies. In the midst of the current turbulent international situation, with Israel still embroiled in the flames of war, everyone was deeply moved that in a country so far away from Israel and traditionally without Jewish culture, there is such a beautiful and sacred place that supports and welcomes them, and vigorously promotes their culture.
Additionally, we also welcomed the "Center for Asia-Pacific Resilience and Innovation(CAPRI)," the only international based NGO Think- Tank in Taiwan with a global perspective for an experience of Jewish culture and a delightful Kosher feast.
CAPRI was celebrating the conclusion of their Second Annual Forum in Taiwan. Their Forum covered a wide range of topics and brought experts from all over the world to Taipei. The Keynote speaker was the honorable James Gilmore lll the former Governor of Virgina and the Ambassador to OSCE. It concluded with meetings with our Taiwan President Ms. Tsai Ying-wen and Lunch talk with our vice President elect Ms. Hsiao Bi Khim
JTCA hopes to promote cultural exchange and understanding between different cultures through our work, with the ultimate goal of achieving world peace and harmony.
We open our arms to welcome you, from wherever you are in the world. With an open mind and friendly attitude, come to the "Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center" and enjoy our wonderful museum cultural journey, also the amazing kosher feast in Taiwan.
Nourishing the Mind and Soul: A Musical Feast by Aila Deva and Wu Bai-Yu-Hsi at the JCC
Recently, the Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center (JCC) offered not only a visual feast of artifacts but also a soul-enriching musical banquet. Renowned vocalists Aila Deva from Russia and Wu Bai-Yu-Hsi from Taiwan delivered an outstanding performance. This concert not only showcased the powerful art of vocal music but also pleasantly surprised many guests with the realization that the JCC, beyond promoting Jewish culture, is also a place rich in artistic nourishment.
Aila Deva and Wu Bai-Yu-Hsi, with their unique vocal charms and profound musical expertise, presented an unforgettable performance. Their energetic and narrative voices, at times melodious and at times powerful, transported everyone into a world filled with emotion and soul.
The JCC hopes that through such events, more people will experience the charm of art and the diversity of culture. This musical feast was not only an auditory delight but also a spiritual cleansing, allowing us to deeply appreciate the boundless power of music.
In the future, we will continue to host various artistic events, inviting renowned artists from home and abroad for exchanges and performances. Through these activities, we aim to make the JCC a place filled with artistic ambiance, allowing more people to experience the beauty of culture and art.
Thank you all for your support and participation. Let us look forward to more exciting events together!
Warm Regards,
Jeffrey D. Schwartz & NaTang
Co-founders, Jewish Taiwan Cultural Association
