Embracing Gratitude and Connection in the New Year

中心帳號

2026-02-05

Embracing Gratitude and Connection in the New Year

A warm look back at moments of thanks, connection, and festive joy.

The First Light of Chanukkah: A Gathering Illuminated in the City

光明節的第一道光：在城市中點亮的相遇

On December 14 2025, Founder Jeffrey D. Schwartz attended the Chanukkah candle-lighting event at Taipei City Movie Theme Park, joining the Taiwanese Jewish community to welcome the start of the festival and personally lighting the first candle.

In previous years, Chanukkah celebrations were held at Daan Forest Park. This year, with Mr. Schwartz’s support and coordination, the event was moved to Taipei City Movie Theme Park and JCC. Located at the heart of the city and at a bustling intersection, the celebration naturally became part of the everyday urban scene, offering more citizens the chance to engage with the Jewish symbols of light, hope, and continuity.

Mr. Schwartz has long supported public participation of the Taiwanese Jewish community and is committed to finding inclusive spaces for culture and faith to be expressed. This candle-lighting event embodies that vision—bringing the festival out of the community’s internal sphere and into the city, where it can be seen, understood, and appreciated.

After the candles were lit, the stage came alive with music, singing, and dance. Children and adults alike shared Chanukkah’s traditional treats, including iconic donuts, as the festive atmosphere flowed through the park. Through the joyful rhythm and culinary traditions, participants from diverse backgrounds experienced the Jewish culture’s celebration of light and hope firsthand.

2025年 12 月 14 日，創始人薛智偉先生出席於臺北市電影主題公園舉行的光明節（Chanukkah）點燭活動，與台灣猶太社群一同迎接節慶的開始，並親手點燃第一天的燭光。

過往，光明節活動多於大安森林公園舉行；今年，在薛先生的協助與安排下，活動首度移師至臺北市電影主題公園以及JCC。位於城市核心、人流交會之處，讓節慶自然地走進日常街景，也讓更多市民有機會認識猶太文化中關於光、希望與延續的象徵。

薛先生長期支持台灣猶太社群的公共參與，並致力於為文化與信仰尋找合適而友善的發聲空間。這場點燭活動，正是在這樣的理念下發生——讓節慶不被侷限於社群內部，而是在城市中被看見、被理解。

燭光點亮後，舞台隨之熱鬧起來。音樂、歌聲與舞蹈在公園中交織，孩子與大人一同分享光明節必備的甜甜圈，節慶的氣息在城市裡流動。傳統美食與歡樂的節奏，讓來自不同背景的參與者，共同感受猶太文化中對光與希望的詮釋。

JTCA Staff Outing | A Yearly Moment of Gratitude and Togetherness

JTCA 員工旅遊｜感謝與陪伴的年度時光

At the end of the 2025, JTCA held its annual staff outing, taking the team to Jiufen and concluding with a dinner at A Joy. This trip was not just a moment of relaxation, but a heartfelt gesture of appreciation from Founder Jeffrey D. Schwartz for the dedication and hard work of JTCA team.

In Jewish culture, "respecting individual talents, valuing learning and growth, and connecting the community through gratitude and blessing" are fundamental principles. Every JTCA stuff is an indispensable part of this cultural exchange platform, and this outing symbolized recognition and support for their efforts.

Through laughter, sharing, and camaraderie, the team celebrated their contributions while enjoying scenic beauty and cuisine, strengthening the sense that JTCA is a supportive, forward-moving family.

2025歲末，JTCA 安排了一年一度的員工旅遊，帶領團隊前往九份，並在饗 A Joy 享用晚餐。這不僅是一趟放鬆的行程，更是創始人薛智偉先生對全體同仁辛勤付出的感謝與肯定。

在猶太文化中，「尊重每個人的天賦、重視教育與成長、並以感謝與祝福連結社群」是一種重要精神。JTCA 每一位成員，正是這個文化交流平台不可或缺的一部分，而這趟旅遊，也象徵對每位同仁的肯定與陪伴。

透過笑聲、分享與交流，團隊在美景與美食中重溫彼此的努力與付出，也更深刻體會到 JTCA 是一個彼此支持、共同前行的大家庭。

Moments of Gratitude | Honoring Every Dedicated Partner

一月的感謝時刻｜致每位辛勞的夥伴

In January, Founder Jeffrey D. Schwartz hosted two appreciation dinners to honor the teams behind two major events in December: the Taiwan Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast (JPB) and the memorial service for the late Na Tang.

The JPB appreciation dinner, co-hosted with Zoe Arts Foundation Chairperson Virginia Chien, offered a moment for Founder Schwartz to express his gratitude to every team member. Their dedication and professionalism ensured the first-ever JPB in Taiwan was successful and left international guests with a warm impression of cultural exchange.

Later in the month, those who contributed to the late Na Tang’s memorial service were invited to a separate appreciation dinner. Once again, Founder Schwartz thanked each person for their careful planning and on-site support, which allowed the service to be conducted with both solemnity and tenderness, honoring the late Na Tang’s vision and spirit.

Both dinners reflected JTCA’s heartfelt acknowledgment of their partners: through good food and warm conversation, everyone felt appreciated and valued, a reminder that the heart of cultural exchange lies in the effort and care of each individual.

TO JPB

To the late Na Tang’s memorial service

1 月，創始人薛智偉先生舉辦了兩場感謝晚宴，向去年 12 月的兩項重大活動工作夥伴致意：一是臺灣 Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast（JPB），二是坣娜・Na Tang 追思會。

JPB 感謝晚宴由薛智偉先生與卓越藝術傳播基金會董事長錢胡家琪 Virginia Chien 共同主持。晚宴中，薛先生向所有辛勤工作的團隊與志工表達感謝，肯定大家的耐心與專業，讓臺灣首次 JPB 活動得以圓滿舉行，也讓國際嘉賓感受到文化交流的溫度。

同月，已故坣娜追思會的工作夥伴也獲得感謝晚宴的邀請。薛先生再次感謝每位付出心力的人，從活動規劃到現場協助，大家的細心與周到，使追思會得以莊重而溫柔地完成，也讓已故坣娜生前的理念和精神被完整呈現。

兩場晚宴都是 JTCA 對夥伴的誠摯回應：用一桌美食、一杯祝福，讓所有參與者感受到被尊重與珍惜，也提醒大家，文化交流的背後，是每一個人的努力與心意。

A Letter of Gratitude from BBYO | The Power of Legacy and Inspiration

BBYO 致感謝信｜傳承與啟發的力量

BBYO Asia Pacific Area Director, Nitzan Ben Shaya, recently sent a heartfelt letter to JTCA Founder Jeffrey D. Schwartz, recognizing his support for the BBYO chapter in Taiwan. The letter praised his generosity and dedication in providing space and resources that empower young Jewish leaders to learn, grow, and take active roles within the community.

BBYO also expressed admiration for the decision by the teens to name the chapter in memory of the late Na Tang. This honor not only commemorates her life but also ensures that her legacy continues to serve as a bridge across cultures, generations, and faiths within Taiwan and the global Jewish community.

The letter highlighted the late Na Tang’s dedication to Jewish life, education, kosher practice, and cultural exchange, as well as her quiet strength, wisdom, and compassion. Through the BBYO chapter, her values will continue to guide and inspire the next generation of Jewish teens, providing them with lessons in leadership, community, and meaningful engagement.

BBYO extended sincere thanks to Founder Schwartz for his trust and support, and looks forward to continuing collaboration to nurture Jewish youth leaders in Taiwan and across the Asia-Pacific region.

近日，BBYO 亞太區主任 Nitzan Ben Shaya 代表 BBYO 臺灣分會，向 JTCA 創始人薛智偉先生表達誠摯感謝。信中肯定薛先生對青少年領袖培育的支持，以及為 BBYO 臺灣分會提供的空間與資源，讓年輕世代能在猶太文化與社群中成長、學習與實踐領導力。

BBYO 對薛智偉先生與JCC的支持表示高度敬意，也讚賞年輕人希望以已故妻子坣娜小姐的名字命名分會的決定。這份榮譽，不僅是對已故坣娜小姐的追思，更讓她在臺灣及國際猶太社群中的精神得以延續，成為跨文化、跨世代、跨信仰的橋樑。

信中提到，已故坣娜小姐以文化為靈魂之語，推動猶太生活、教育、潔食文化與文化交流；她的寧靜、智慧與關懷，也在 BBYO 青少年身上得以延續。每一位參與分會的青少年，都將在學習、領導與交流中，感受她的價值與理念，讓這份精神持續啟發新一代。

BBYO 感謝薛智偉先生的信任與支持，期望未來持續合作，共同培育臺灣及亞太地區的青少年領袖，讓猶太文化與價值在世界各地生根發芽。

A New Year’s Gift

Placing Blessings Between Cultures

新春之禮｜在文化之間，安放一份祝福

Lunar New Year is one of the most significant celebrations in Taiwan. In Jewish culture, festivals likewise carry deep meanings of blessing, memory, and continuity.

For JTCA Founder Jeffrey D. Schwartz, the question has never been only how to preserve culture, but how to allow culture—across different lands and traditions—to be understood, shared, and gently passed on.

With this vision in mind, JTCA presents the “Happy Horse Kosher Cookies” for the season. Drawing inspiration from both Jewish symbolic language and the blessings of the Lunar New Year, the gift box weaves together two cultural traditions. It is not created simply to showcase sweets, but to tell a story—one of blessings, life, and meaningful encounters—through taste.

The gift box features six carefully curated confections, each translating a cultural meaning into flavor:

“Sweetness in the Night” Black Sesame White Chocolate Balls

Black sesame symbolizes the vitality of the land, while white chocolate brings softness and purity—a cross-cultural blessing of sweetness and hope.

“Apple Blessings” Apple Sandwich Cookies

Apples symbolize peace and blessing across cultures. The fresh fruit fragrance conveys wishes of family harmony and well-being.

“Joy Steeped in Tea” Happy Horse Royal Icing Rooibos Cookies

Aromatic rooibos tea with hand-decorated “Blessing” icing unfolds New Year blessings of warmth, good fortune, and prosperity.

“The Sweetness of Maturation” Red Wine–Soaked Fig Financier

Figs represent abundance and maturity. Combined with delicate French financier, they offer a gentle, time-honored sweetness.

“Smiles All Year Round” Pistachio Hamantaschen

Hamantaschen’s triangular shape symbolizes joy and unity. Pistachios transform it into a Lunar New Year wish for laughter and happiness.

“A Harvest of Fortune” Nut-Stuffed Dates

Dates, revered as the “Fruit of Life,” symbolize sweetness and longevity. With crunchy nuts inside, they carry wishes for a fruitful and fulfilling year.

What this gift box ultimately carries is a value JTCA has always upheld: culture does not need to be reduced to labels or simplified symbols. Instead, it can be understood and sustained naturally—through daily life, shared tables, and the act of giving.

As the New Year approaches, may this offering—born at the intersection of cultures—accompany each recipient into a season of renewal, warmth, and new beginnings.

JTCA New Year Gift Box Collection | Order Here

https://www.jtca.org.tw/en/collections/jcc_giftboxes