History of the Jews in Taiwan

Unlike mainland China, the Jewish presence in Taiwan is relatively young, and was never numerous. The first sizable presence began in the 1950s, when religious services were held in the U.S. military chapel, to which civilians also had access.

In 1975, Rabbi Ephraim Einhorn arrived to serve as the island's sole rabbi. Since then, the Taiwanese Jewish community has been comprised largely of foreign business executives and their families, with services also frequently attended by visitors to the island. Under Rabbi Einhorn, holiday services have been held at various hotels in Taipei. Under an agreement between the rabbi and the management of the Sheraton Taipei Hotel, there are weekly services, kosher meals, and a Jewish library owned by the rabbi. Attendance peaks around the High Holy Days, numbering between 60 and 100.

Because the state of Israel has full diplomatic relations with mainland China, it cannot fully recognize the government of Taiwan, which China considers separatist. Nevertheless, Israel maintains an Economic and Cultural office in Taipei. In 2006, there was $1.3 billion worth of bilateral trade between Israel and Taiwan.

At this time, Taiwan has some 150 Jews, which is a slightly lower figure than in 1971, when the island had full diplomatic representation at the UN.

In 2002 a Holocaust Museum was opened in Bao-An, Tainan County. It was founded by Chou Chou An, a Taiwanese priest who follows the Messianic Jews. Chou Chou An got his religious education in Japan. The Kyoto Holocaust Museum has donated several artefacts to the Holocaust Museum in Tainan.

Sources

*Yiu, Cody "Taipei's Jewish community has deep roots" Taipei Times 2/15/2005
*Luxner, Larry "Keeping the Faith in Taiwan" Jewish Telegraphic Agency 11/4/2007