June in Bloom: Where Culture, Thought, and Creation Meet
June in Bloom: Where Culture, Thought, and Creation Meet
From bird talks to healing art, June was a month where stories, ideas, and Jewish creativity came alive in shared spaces.
文化盛開的六月：在思想與創作中相遇
六月的JCC充滿了文化氣息與靈感——從生態講座到Healing Blanket藝術行動，我們用講述、創作與分享，讓猶太文化在人與人之間緩緩流動，編織出一個溫柔而有力的社群。
Birdsong and Dialogue: An Ecological Exchange Over a Kosher Table
鳥鳴與對話：一場潔食中展開的生態分享
At JTCA, we believe that every thoughtful conversation, every shared insight, is an echo of Torah Lishma—the timeless Jewish pursuit of learning not for gain, but for meaning. This June, the Taiwan Jewish Community (TJC) once again gathered for a warm and enriching “Bagels and Yu” session at the Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center (JCC).
This time, we welcomed Mr. Scott Pursner, Director of International Affairs at the Taiwan Wild Bird Federation, who guided us through a fascinating journey into the world of Taiwan’s birds and the vital conservation efforts behind them. From rare species to ecological challenges, his stories offered a unique perspective—taking us from the comfort of our dining tables in Taipei to the skies above the island.
And of course, no Jewish gathering is complete without the familiar taste of kosher comfort: our cherished “Salmon Gravlax”, along with classic smoked salmon and New York-style bagels—bringing to life the spirit of a Shabbat-style table, where food, conversation, and connection meet.
📍The JCC is open for private rentals, lectures, and cultural events. Whether you're planning a gathering of minds or a cross-cultural celebration, we warmly invite you to create your next meaningful moment with us.
在 JTCA，我們相信，每一次深刻的對話、每一則思想的交會，都是「Torah Lishma（為學而學）」精神的回響——追尋知識，不為功利，只為意義。六月，由台灣猶太社群（TJC）主辦的聚會《Bagels and Yu》再次於我們的薛智偉猶太社區中心（JCC）溫暖相聚。
本次講座邀請來自台灣野鳥保育聯盟的國際事務主任 Scott Pursner，帶領大家展開一段關於台灣鳥類與保育工作的探索之旅。從珍稀鳥種到生態挑戰，Scott 的分享讓我們從台北的餐桌望見整個島嶼的翱翔天際。
而我們最熟悉也最期待的猶太潔食餐點自然也不缺席：當天備有猶太鮭魚小姐，經典的煙燻鮭魚與紐約風味貝果，讓大家在充滿智慧與文化的對話之餘，也一同享受猶太社群傳統的 Shabbat-style 餐桌精神——吃、聊、連結。
📍我們的空間持續對外開放，歡迎各界以包場、講座或文化活動等形式洽詢租借。無論是為一場知識的聚會，或是一段跨文化的相遇，我們誠摯期待與您共享更多這樣的時刻。
🌍 JTCA at the CAPRI Annual Forum
Advancing Resilience and Innovation in Asia-Pacific with Jewish Wisdom
🌏 文化連結公共政策｜JTCA 參與 CAPRI 年度論壇
攜手推動亞太創新與韌性
Mr. Jeffrey D. Schwartz, founder of the Jeffrey Schwartz & Na Tang Jewish Taiwan Cultural Association (JTCA), proudly represented the organization at the 2025 Annual Forum hosted by the Center for Asia-Pacific Resilience and Innovation (CAPRI). JTCA has been a longtime supporter of CAPRI, and this year, Mr. Schwartz was honored to join its Board of Directors—further cementing our commitment to fostering dialogue, collaboration, and resilience across the region.
This participation reflects a timeless Jewish calling: Or Lagoyim—to be a light unto the nations. Through involvement in public policy and global cooperation, JTCA works to build a more just and sustainable future.
🔍 Forum Highlights
Theme: Shaping Landscapes: Building Resilience on Shaky Ground
Policymakers, scholars, and business leaders from the Asia-Pacific and beyond gathered to explore:
-Geopolitical shifts and economic transformation
-Green development and sustainable cities
-Climate change and community health
-The private sector’s social responsibility
More than just a policy summit, this forum served as a bridge between cultures and sectors. As Jewish tradition reminds us:
“You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” (Pirkei Avot 2:16)
📌 Learn more and watch the forum recordings here: https://caprifoundation.org/capri-2025-annual-forum/#recap
JTCA創始人薛智偉先生代表 Jeffrey Schwartz & NaTang 猶太台灣文化協會（JTCA），參與由亞太堅韌研究基金會（CAPRI）主辦的第三屆年度國際論壇。自 CAPRI 成立以來，JTCA 一直積極支持其理念與行動，而今年薛先生更受邀成為其董事會成員，象徵我們對亞太區域對話與合作的長期承諾。
這次的參與，體現了猶太人跨越時代的使命：Or Lagoyim——成為世人的光明榜樣。JTCA 積極參與公共政策與國際對話，持續為更公平、可持續的未來盡一份心力。
🔍 論壇亮點
2025年論壇主題為：「塑造風景：在不穩定的基礎上建立韌性」。來自全球的政策領袖、企業家、學者齊聚，聚焦以下議題：
-地緣政治與經濟轉型
-綠色發展與城市永續
-氣候變遷與社區健康
-私部門的社會影響力
這不僅是一場政策與思想的盛會，更是文化交流與共識建構的平台。正如猶太傳統提醒我們的那句話：「你不必完成這項工作，但也不能置身事外」（《倫理箴言》2:16）。
📌 更多資訊與論壇影片請見：https://caprifoundation.org/capri-2025-annual-forum/#recap
🎨 A Light of Art, Shining from Here to the World — A Moment of Honor for Mauricio Avayu! 🕊️
🎨 藝術之光，從這裡照耀到世界——Mauricio Avayu 的榮耀時刻！🕊️
Dear Friends,
Many of you may remember the hand-painted Genesis panel in our Jewish Art and Culture Museum—a visual journey into the Torah by Jewish artist Mauricio Avayu. This remarkable work has long been one of the crown jewels of our center.
Today, we are thrilled to announce an incredible honor:
Mauricio was recently invited to create original artworks for three global leaders:
🇺🇸 U.S. President Donald Trump
🇮🇱 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
🇦🇷 Argentine President Javier Milei
Each received a hand-painted tambourine featuring Mauricio’s piece “Am Israel Chai” (The People of Israel Live)—a symbolic and artistic tribute to Jewish strength and unity.
“Mauricio’s art transcends the canvas. It has become a modern-day Mishkan—a sacred dwelling—through which the Jewish spirit is seen, connected, and sanctified in our time.”
— Jeffrey D. Schwartz, JTCA Founder
This is not merely an artistic achievement—it is a celebration of Jewish heritage, faith, and memory, made visible through brushstrokes that touch the soul.
Coming soon to our museum: Mauricio’s Exodus series, which will join the Genesis mural to become the largest Jewish religious wall art installation of its kind in the world.
In these times, when cultural resilience matters more than ever, we are honored that this light of Jewish art—born here in Taiwan—now shines across the Jewish world.
Am Israel Chai · עם ישראל חי
The People of Israel Live
親愛的朋友們：
您或許記得，我們猶太藝文博物館內那幅引領觀者走進妥拉的《創世紀》畫板——由猶太藝術家 Mauricio Avayu 手繪完成，早已是我們JCC的鎮館之寶。
如今，我們懷著無比的喜悅與您分享：
Mauricio 近期受邀為 三位國家領袖 創作猶太主題藝術品：
🇺🇸 美國總統 唐納·川普
🇮🇱 以色列總理 班傑明·納坦雅胡
🇦🇷 阿根廷總統 哈維爾·米雷伊
三人皆獲贈 Mauricio 手繪的猶太主題鈴鼓《Am Israel Chai（以色列民族永存）》，一件充滿信仰與象徵意涵的藝術品。
「Mauricio 的藝術早已超越畫布，它是一座當代的 Mishkan——會幕，讓猶太精神得以在當代被看見、被連結、被神聖化。」
— JTCA 創始人 薛智偉
這不只是藝術的成就，更是猶太文化與記憶的深刻見證。
接下來，Mauricio 的《出埃及記》系列也將進駐我們博物館，與《創世紀》並列，成為全球規模最大的猶太宗教壁畫作品之一。
在這充滿挑戰的年代，我們為 Mauricio 感到驕傲，也為這份來自台灣的藝術之光，能照耀以色列與世界各地的猶太人而深受感動。
עם ישראל חי · Am Israel Chai
以色列民族永存
🕊️Healing Blanket, We Mend What’s Broken, Together🕊️
As the world gradually heals, we at JTCA joined a movement born from the heart—through art, with purpose.
Launched by Mental Health IsReal, the Healing Blanket Project invites Jewish communities and allies around the world to co-create a symbolic healing blanket—each canvas a piece of a greater puzzle, stitching together memory, and piecing back our shared hope.
We contributed four pieces, offering not only our voices, but our hearts.
This is more than participation—it is our response, as part of this collective, to the call of Gemilut Chasadim—acts of loving-kindness.
“Tree of the Heart”
This painting depicts a Tree of Life growing from the shape of Taiwan, symbolizing hope and renewal. At its center, a Star of David intertwined with a plum blossom represents the harmony between Jewish and Taiwanese cultures. White flowers and red hearts bloom among the branches, conveying healing and love. The warm yellow and deep blue palette reflects inner peace and steadfast faith. Together, the imagery expresses the power of cross-cultural understanding and care—a symbol of spiritual restoration.
“Wish & Light”
The sky lanterns rise gently, with “Peace” and the Star of David side by side—symbols of cross-cultural understanding and blessing.
Like collective wishes gathering in the sky, they shine a light of hope for the world. In the distance, the silhouette of Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range quietly stands, representing the island’s resilience and its steadfast support
“Piecing Back the Light”
Shattered, we once fell silent.But healing is a shared act—each shard of memory, a step toward light.
Together, we rebuild the star that holds our story.
Wholeness, reborn through connection.
“Rebirth Between Land and Light”
Between Taiwan’s soil and ancient stars, a cracked heart rises, held with care.
Bathed in light, surrounded by blossoms, it blooms again—not despite the pain, but because of it.
🕯️In these canvases, we speak a language that transcends distance: Or (light), Emunah (faith), and Nefesh (soul).
Though born in Taiwan, each brushstroke echoes the deepest prayers of Jewish tradition—Shalom, not just peace, but wholeness.
These works respond not only to the trauma of 10/7, but also to the enduring spirit of the Jewish people—again and again broken, again and again reborn.
We believe that in the Jewish context, healing is not about forgetting—it is about remembering (Zachor) and choosing to rebuild.
🕯️From across the world, we stand with you—in memory, in light, and in the sacred act of healing together.
在這個世界逐步療癒的時刻，我們JTCA也用畫筆參與了一場來自心靈的行動。
由 Mental Health IsReal 發起的 Healing Blanket 計畫，邀請來自全球的猶太社群與盟友們，共同創作象徵療癒的藝術毛毯——每一幅畫布都是一塊拼圖，拼湊出一種記憶，也拼回我們共同的希望。
我們繪製了四幅作品，獻上我們的聲音與心。這不只是一次參與，更是我們身為這個群體的一份子，對「Gemilut Chasadim（慈善與愛的行動）」的回應。
《心靈之樹 Tree of the Heart》
這幅畫描繪一棵在台灣島嶼扎根而生的生命之樹，象徵希望與重生。樹中央的六芒星融合台灣梅花，展現猶太與台灣文化的交融。
枝葉上綻放白花與紅心，傳遞療癒與愛。整體色彩以溫暖黃與深藍平衡，象徵內在安穩與信念堅定，表達跨文化合作中的理解與關懷，是心靈重建的象徵。
《願．光 Wish & Light》
天燈冉冉升起，「平安」與大衛之星並列，象徵跨文化的理解與祝福，
如眾人心願的光芒匯聚於高空，共同為世界點亮希望。
遠方隱約浮現中央山脈的輪廓，象徵台灣堅韌的基石，
穩穩地承托著夢想與信念的升起。
《重拾破碎之光 Piecing Back the Light》
破碎，曾讓我們沉默；重建，讓我們彼此靠近。
一片片拾起記憶與希望，在裂縫中拼湊出曾經破碎的星。
療癒，是集體的選擇，也是靈魂的回聲。
《在土地與光之間重生 Rebirth Between Land and Light》
這是一場來自台灣與猶太文化的對話，一顆破碎的心被溫柔托起，在陽光、花與島嶼的見證下，向未來綻放。從裂縫中誕生的，不只是疼痛，
還有光與新生。
🕯️在這些畫布裡，我們說的是同一種語言——光（Or），信仰（Emunah），與心靈（Nefesh）。它們或許來自台灣，但每一筆都呼應著猶太傳統中最深的願望：Shalom，不只是和平，而是完整。
這些作品回應的不只是 10/7 的創傷——它們也回應著猶太歷史中那一再破碎、一再重生的靈魂。我們相信，在猶太的語境中，療癒不是淡忘，而是「記得，並擁抱重建的責任（Zachor & Rebuild）」。
🕯️來自世界的另一端，台灣的我們與你們攜手修補，在光之中重生，於共同的記憶裡相伴，不再孤單。
Warm Regards,
Jeffrey D. Schwartz & Na Tang
Co-founders, Jewish Taiwan Cultural Association
給予大家 最深的愛與祝福
薛智偉＆坣娜
薛智偉・坣娜猶台文化交流協會創始人
