UJC HK

Basic Hebrew Class for Adults

UJC-HK — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 06:45:30 +0000

For all those who would like to learn to read Hebrew – this is your chance to begin! The class will be for beginners and for those who need to brush up their Hebrew reading skills. UJC Member Sergio Fernandes de Lima has graciously volunteered to teach the class.

Dates: Mondays, November 17, 24, December 1, 15, January 5, 12, 19, 26, February 2, 9, 26
Time: 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM

The classes will be on Zoom only.

Fee: UJC Members – No Charge. Non-UJC Members – HK$200/session.

To enroll or for more information, please contact The UJC office.

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Introduction to Judaism Course 5786

UJC-HK — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 08:24:34 +0000

ANNOUNCING THE NEW COURSE ON JUDAISM AT UJC (HYBRID)

INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM:
Cycle 1 –Nov 25, 2025 – May 12, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Tuesday evenings Nov 25, Dec 2, 9, Feb 3,10, Mar 31, Apr 14, 28, May 5, 12 (in person and on zoom)

An in depth course for those exploring Judaism
For those beginning the process and those continuing from previous years’ classes
Recommended for individuals and for couples
Should enroll in “Heart of Judaism” as lead-in

To enroll or for more information, please contact: The UJC office.

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AT A GLANCE

admin4UJChk — Sun, 13 Jul 2025 11:33:59 +0000

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Hebrew-in-a-Day Marathon with Rabbi Martha

UJC-HK — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 03:44:34 +0000

Saturday, 10th February
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Ever wanted to learn to read Hebrew, but not sure you have the time? Did you ever learn to read Hebrew – or begin to learn it – and now feel you’re really rusty?

The Hebrew-in-a-Day Marathon is the perfect way to kick-start your Hebrew!

No previous experience needed! By the end of the day you will have learned the Hebrew Alef Bet and vowels, be able to read 180 important Hebrew words, and be able to sound out many more..

The fee for the class is HK$400 for members/HK$600 for non members. It will cover materials, breakfast, snacks, and lunch on 10th February. Questions? Contact Rabbi Martha. Interested in taking part? Please sign up with The UJC office.

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Dinner in the Sukkah and a Screening of “TO BE CONTINUED”

UJC-HK — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 06:16:56 +0000

Tuesday, 3rd October
Dinner at 6:45 PM in the OLS Sukkah
Film screening to follow in The UJC Sanctuary

Join the UJC and Ohel Leah as together we celebrate the incredible life of Harry Odell, who was a member of the Hong Kong Jewish community for over 50 years. Flamboyant and cigar-chomping, Harry Odell was a Cairo-born, Shanghai-raised, Russian Jew who stamped his mark on the cultural life of post-war Hong Kong. His hopeful, if chronically loss-making adventures pushed the cultural frontiers of his adopted home, capturing the open, dynamic and inclusive spirit of a bygone era to leave a legacy that resonates to this day.

A pukka English fish & chips dinner will be served in the OLS sukkah followed by a screening of the film, TO BE CONTINUED, in the UJC Sanctuary. The filmmakers and other special guests will be in attendance.

Cost: HK$350 (UJC and OLS members); HK$700 (non-members)
Date & Time: Tuesday, 3rd October, 6:45 PM
RSVP to ujc@ujc.org.hk by Friday, 29th September.

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Test Admin – Exco Post

sjc-exco-admin-test — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 13:56:24 +0000

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Shorashim Important Reminders

UJC-HK — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 09:14:30 +0000

The Shorashim teachers, madrichim, Hazzan Ayal, and I are very much looking forward seeing everyone on Sunday! It will be great to see all our returning families and to welcome new families to Shorashim.

We will begin the Shorashim year this Sunday, 3rd September at 9:30 AM in the UJC Sanctuary. (Entrance on Castle Steps.) We will welcome everyone at kinnus and then head off to class. The Shorashim day will end at 12:30 PM and dismissal/pick up will be at the Castle Steps.

Since Typhoon Saola may affect Hong Kong on Sunday, I want to remind everyone of the Shorashim Typhoon/Rainstorm Closure Policy:

Shorashim Typhoon/Rainstorm Closure Policy:

Typhoons — Based on the Hong Kong Education Bureau Policy and a concern for the safety of our students, madrichim, and teachers, Shorashim will NOT meet IF A TYPHOON SIGNAL #3 or higher is in effect. As some of our teachers and students travel from a fair distance to The UJC, we will abide by the Typhoon Signal that is in effect at 8:00 AM at the Hong Kong Observatory website (www.hko.gov.hk)

Rainstorms — Based on the Hong Kong Education Bureau Policy, Shorashim will NOT meet if a Red or Black rainstorm warning is in effect at 8:00 AM at the Hong Kong Observatory website (www.hko.gov.hk). (Shorashim will meet as usual if it is an Amber rain.)

Also, a reminder about Parking arrangements — The JCC car park is for JCC members only. The UJC has made special arrangements with the JCC for Shorashim families who are non-JCC members. Such families can use the car park (on Shorashim Sundays only) but they MUST register with The UJC office in advance. If you are not a JCC member and wish to use the car park, please let us have your name and car registration numbers NOW if you have not already done so.

Finally, I have sent an email to parents with full details and the Shorashim schedule. Please let me know as soon as possible if you did not receive the email or have any questions.

Looking forward to another great year at Shorashim!
Rabbi Martha
(rabbimartha@ujc.org.hk)

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The Jewish History Reading Circle

UJC-HK — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 05:36:55 +0000

The Jewish History Reading Circle

The Jewish History Reading Circle is for those who are looking for a deep dive into key topics in Jewish History.

Our first selection will be Blood Libel: On the Trail of an Antisemitic Myth, by Magda Teter. Prof. Teter’s book is authoritative and comprehensive, tracing this persistent falsehood from its origin in medieval England through the centuries to its use by contemporary antisemites. There is no doubt that this book is an investment, but it is sure to be rewarding.

If you are interested in being part of the Jewish History Reading Circle, please email The UJC office at ujc@ujc.org.hk.

We will have our first gathering on Thursday, 17th November. Please contact Rabbi Zamek for details. Blood Libel is available in print or as an e-book (click here to buy from Amazon or click here to buy from Book Depository).

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One Congregation/One Book

UJC-HK — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 04:21:10 +0000

One Congregation/One Book 5785

Reading Reform Responsa by Rabbi Mark Washofsky

Click here to sign up for One Congregation/One Book

This year we will be reading Rabbi Mark Washofsky’s new book, Reading Reform Responsa.

In Reading Reform Responsa, Rabbi Washofsky presents a deep dive into this literature, boldly arguing that Reform Judaism is indeed a movement fundamentally based on halachah. By inviting and guiding readers to understand Reform responsa with a critical eye, he shows that our movement has always been informed by Jewish law, as well as Reform history. A teacher and mentor of generations of students at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Rabbi Washofsky gives us a peek inside his classroom, making Reform responsa engaging and accessible for all.

See below for the schedule of check-ins and a suggested reading schedule:

Check-in Dates: (Note new dates)

December 1 – Sunday at 10:30 AM (in person and on Zoom)
December 4 – Wednesday at 12:30 PM (via Zoom only)
January 5 – Sunday at 10:30 AM in The UJC Sanctuary (in person and on Zoom)
January 8 – Wednesday at 12:30 PM (via Zoom only)
February 9 – Sunday at 10:30 AM (in person and on Zoom)
February 12 – Wednesday at 12:30 PM (via Zoom only)
March 2 – Sunday at 10:30 AM (in person and on Zoom)
March 5 – Wednesday at 12:30 PM (via Zoom only)
April 16 – Wednesday at 12:30 PM (via Zoom only) – note new date
May 11 – Sunday at 10:30 AM (in person and on Zoom)

Please contact The UJC office for location and zoom link.

Suggested Reading Schedule
(Note the appendix pages contain the full text of the responsa discussed in the main chapters)

December – Introduction, Chapter 1 and Appendix 169-171
January – Chapters 2-3, Appendix 171-192
February – Chapters 4-5, Appendix 193-215
March – Chapters 6-7, Appendix 215-234
April – Chapters 8-9, Appendix 234-252
May – Chapter 10 and Conclusions, 252-264

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One Congregation/One Book 5782

UJC-HK — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 04:20:38 +0000

One Congregation/One Book Returns!
Food for the Body/Food for the Soul

Click here to sign up for
Food for the Body Track

Click here to sign up for
Food for the Soul Track

One Congregation/One Book will return in October. This year there will be two tracks and a total of three books. (And yes, we are still calling it One Congregation/ One Book.) You can join either track, but it is best to do both.

Track 1: Food for the Body

We will explore the world of Jewish food by reading two books. First, we will read The 100 Most Jewish Foods: A Highly Debatable List. This book is anthology of essays on all things edible and Jewish. Consider it an appetizer for our main course, Jewish Eating and Identity Through the Ages, by David C. Kraemer. This book explores the tie between food and identity, examining not just what Jews eat, but also “how, when, and with whom they eat it.”

The 100 Most Jewish Foods is readily available in print or as an ebook (click here). Jewish Eating and Identity Through the Ages, is less easy to come by. Apologies for the high price of the ebook. Like a nice kugel or plate of hummus, we may want to share around some copies. It is the best book of its kind, so we will make do. Click here for information from Amazon. Let us know if you find other sources for the main course of Track 1.

Track 2: Food for the Soul

Our food for the soul will be Robert Alter’s The Book of Psalms: A Translation and Commentary. The Psalms have been our people’s constant companion in times of joy and sorrow. Join us as we spend a year in the world of the Psalms, seeing them in a new light through Alter’s beautiful translation and insightful commentary.

The book is available in print or as an ebook (click here).

Robert Alter will join us for a Q & A (via Zoom) on Saturday, 23rd October at 9:30 AM. Click here for Zoom link. Prof. Alter will also be joining us as a scholar-in-residence (via Zoom) on Shavuot. Details to follow. (This program is made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Salata Family.)

See below for the schedule of check-ins and suggested reading schedules.

Food for the Soul Track Check-in Dates

October 24
– Sunday at 10:30 AM in The UJC Sanctuary and on Zoom

October 27
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom

November 14
– Sunday at 10:30 AM in The UJC Sanctuary and on Zoom

November 17
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom

December 15
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom

January 16
– Sunday at 10:30 AM in The UJC Sanctuary and on Zoom

January 19
-Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom

February 13
– Sunday at 10:30 AM in The UJC Sanctuary and on Zoom

February 16
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom

March 20
– Sunday at 10:30 AM in The UJC Sanctuary and on Zoom

March 23
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom

April 13
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom

May 22
– Sunday at 10:30 AM in The UJC Sanctuary and on Zoom

May 25
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom

Suggested Reading Schedule for Food for the Soul Track

October – Psalms 1-20

November – Psalms 21-40

December – Psalms 41-60

January – Psalms 61-80

February – Psalms 81-100

March – Psalms 101-120

April – Psalms 121-140

Food for the Body Track Check-in Dates

November 21
– Sunday at 10:30 AM in The UJC Sanctuary and on Zoom

November 24
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom

December 22
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom

January 23
– Sunday at 10:30 AM in The UJC Sanctuary and on Zoom

January 26
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom

February 20
– Sunday at 10:30 AM in The UJC Sanctuary and on Zoom

February 23
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom

March 27
– Sunday at 10:30 AM in The UJC Sanctuary and on Zoom

March 30
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom

April 24
– Sunday at 10:30 AM in The UJC Sanctuary and on Zoom

April 27
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom

May 29
– Sunday at 10:30 AM in The UJC Sanctuary and on Zoom

June 1
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom

Suggested Reading Schedule for Food for the Body Track

November – All of The 100 Most Jewish Foods,
Chapter 1 of Jewish Eating

December– Chapters 2-3

January– Chapters 4-5

February– Chapters 6-7

March – Chapters 8-9

April– Chapter 10

May – Catch up

About Robert Alter

Robert Alter is Professor of the Graduate School and Emeritus Professor of Hebrew and Comparative Literature at the University of California at Berkeley, where he has taught since 1967. Prof. Alter has written extensively on literary aspects of the Bible. His twenty-eight published books include two prize-winning volumes on biblical narrative and poetry and award-winning translations of Genesis and of the Five Books of Moses. In 2018, after two decades of work, Prof. Alter published his complete translation of the Hebrew Bible with commentary. In 2009 he received the Robert Kirsch Award from the Los Angeles Times for lifetime contribution to American letters and in 2013 the Charles Homer Haskins Prize for career achievement from the American Council of Learned Societies.

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