While Jews from Persia settled in the Chinese city of Kaifeng in the early Middle Ages, and Jews from India and Russia came to Shanghai and Harbin the 19th century, Taiwan had no Jews at all until the U.S. established a military presence there in the 1950s. Emily Schrader reports on the recent history, and current state, of the island’s Jewish population:
In the heart of Taipei today sits the Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center of Taiwan, fully funded by the Jeffrey D. Schwartz & NaTang Jewish Taiwan Cultural Association. The structure is home to the only mikveh in all of Taiwan, a kosher culinary lab and kitchen, a 300-person ballroom, classroom, library, and a museum of Judaica and Jewish art containing over 400 rare items from Jewish communities around the world.
Additionally, there is a stunning synagogue above the museum and restaurant, which holds regular Shabbat services led by the Chabad rabbi, and attendance peaks during high holidays.
Its founder, Jeffrey Schwartz, said the inspiration for the center was rooted in a desire to not only provide a home for the Jewish community in Taiwan, but also to educate the non-Jews about Judaism, and build bridges throughout the country. . . . Taiwan is what Schwartz calls “the least anti-Semitic country in the world.” Ask around Taiwan and you will see that many Taiwanese have profound respect for the Jewish people, as well as the state of Israel. Schwartz adds, “our goal here at the Jewish Community Center is to keep it that way.
The community center has also made tremendous efforts in recent years to promote Holocaust education, at both the individual and state level. In 2021, they held a Holocaust memorial event, which was attended by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.
Read more on Ynet: https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/ryx15z7ui