Chabad Lubavitch of Beijing, China
Chabad Lubavitch of Beijing, China was established in August 2001 in time for Rosh Hashanah 5762. Rabbi Shimon and Dini Freundlich together with their two daughters, Chaya Mushka and Devorah Freundlich, were sent to establish and run Chabad’s office in Beijing, China. They are now joined by their daughters, Chava and Grunia and their sons, Aaron and Eliyahu Akiva.
There are many facets to the work being done by Chabad here. Some of them are:
Reaching out to the approximately 2000 Jews currently living in Beijing. There are Jews from many different walks of life and countries across the world. The main places they come from are the United States, Israel, Azerbaijan/Russia and Europe. Chabad is here to cater for all their Jewish needs.
Some of these include:
· Jewish day school for children ages 1.5 to 12 years old
· Classes and lessons for both children and adults
· Kosher Restaurant: Dini’s Kosher Restaurant (meat) currently TAKE OUT only
· Hebrew school
· Weekly Parsha class and dinner
· Arranging kosher food and sourcing kosher products already available in Beijing.
· Bar and Bat Mitzvah lessons
· Activities and programs for the Jewish holidays
· Youth activities
· Minyanim
· Shabbat Services
· Shabbat meals
· Holiday services and meals (pesach seder, Rosh hashanah dinner etc)
· Jewish community calendar
· Counseling
Besides the Jews who live in Beijing there are approximately 15,000 business people/tourists who travel through each year. Chabad is here to serve as their “home away from home” helping to take care of their Jewish needs. This includes Shabbat services, Shabbat meals, hotel reservations and general information.
Throughout the year and especially during the spring/summer months many Israeli backpackers travel through Asia. As they pass through Beijing, Chabad is here to give them warmth, food and place to recharge and reconnect with their Jewish identity.
When the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of blessed memory, began sending Chabad Emissaries throughout the world he insisted that the facilities being established be called Chabad houses, not centers or institutions, regardless of their size and structure. The Rebbe OB”M wanted to establish homes throughout the world that would be there for any Jew no matter where they were standing in their Jewish observance. He wanted every Jew to feel that no matter how far they may have traveled they will always have a place to call home.
Each location is funded individually from its own fundraising campaigns and the charitable donations of individuals.
What we believe…
We believe that there are no preconditions to doing a good deed. Good actions transform us and the world around us. A little bit of light dispels a great deal of darkness.
We believe in the Judaism that binds all Jews together, not in the labels, which drive us apart. Differences and disagreements are opportunities for learning and growth, not for disavowal and disinheritance. A Jew is a Jew is a Jew.
We believe that love of our neighbors is what leads to love of G‑d. Through seeking and bringing out the best in others, we bring out the best in ourselves, and only then can we truly understand and reciprocate G‑d's love for us.
