Chabad Lubavitch of Hong Kong
Chabad-Lubavitch centre in Hong Kong, the first in Asia
Chabad Lubavitch of Hong Kong (also called Chabad of Hong Kong) is a centre of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement in Hong Kong. It was established by Rabbi Mordechai Avtzon and Goldie Avtzon in 1986 or 1987 and is described as the first Chabad centre in Asia.[1][2] It operates as a synagogue and community centre and is the headquarters for Chabad activities in the wider region under the name LIFE (Lubavitch In the Far East).[3]
Company
CHABAD LUBAVITCH JEWISH ORGANIZATION OF HONG KONG LIMITED was incorporated on 5 February 1988. Company registration number 0209376. Status live. Business registration number 12342929. Registered office: Room 303, 3/F, St George’s Building, 2 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong.[4] Secondary listings describe the entity as a company limited by guarantee.[5]
History
Rabbi Mordechai Avtzon first visited Hong Kong as a rabbinical student in 1985. He and Goldie Avtzon were sent to the then British protectorate the following year by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson.[6] The organisation’s own site gives 1987 as the year the couple were sent.[1] A Hong Kong government yearbook of 2002 listed Chabad Lubavitch among the three main synagogues serving the community, then located at 51 Garden Road.[7]
The centre later moved to 7–9 Macdonnell Road, Hoover Court, 1st Floor.[8] It expanded with two satellite houses: Chabad of Kowloon in 2005 and Chabad of Lantau in 2008.[1]
Activities
The organisation provides daily and Sabbath services, adult and children’s education, holiday programming, kosher services, hospitality for visitors, and personal counselling.[1] It began with a preschool in the Avtzons’ living room that grew into the Carmel Jewish Day School.[9] Other programmes include JUDA (an after-school enrichment programme), Camp Gan Israel, and young-professionals events.[10]
Rabbi Mordechai Avtzon has served as prison chaplain and secured kosher food for Jewish prisoners.[9] The centre has hosted community events including the rededication of a Torah scroll that travelled from Jerusalem to Afghanistan and later to Hong Kong.[11]
People
Mordechai Avtzon and Goldie Avtzon are co-directors.[8] Additional emissaries have included Rabbi Mendy Rabinowitz and Mushka Rabinowitz, and Rabbi Chaim Birnhack and Menuchy Birnhack (focused on children and young professionals).[10][6] Chabad of Kowloon is co-directed by Rabbi Yisroel Lieberman and Menucha Lieberman.[12]
Contact
- Address: 7–9 Macdonnell Road, Hoover Court, 1st Floor, Hong Kong
- Telephone: +852 2523 9770; +852 2845 2772
- Website: ChabadHongKong.org
See also
External links
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Chabad of Hong Kong, About Chabad of Hong Kong ChabadHongKong.org, accessed 7 October 2026.
- ↑ Karen Schwartz, Asia’s Jewish Transformation Celebrated at 25th Anniversary Dinner Chabad.org, 18 February 2011.
- ↑ Lubavitch.com, Torah Cup Competition for Jewish Children of the Far East Lubavitch.com, 27 February 2003.
- ↑ Hong Kong Companies Directory, CHABAD LUBAVITCH JEWISH ORGANIZATION OF HONG KONG LIMITED LtdDir, accessed 7 October 2026.
- ↑ Hong Kong Business Directory, CHABAD LUBAVITCH JEWISH ORGANIZATION OF HONG KONG LIMITED HKG Business, accessed 7 October 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Chabad.org, Amid Turbulence, Hong Kong Jewry Receives Young Couple With Open Arms Chabad.org, 19 November 2019.
- ↑ Hong Kong Yearbook 2002, Chapter 18: Religion and Custom: Jewish Community Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, 2002.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters, Hong Kong – Centers Lubavitch.com, accessed 7 October 2026.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lubavitch.com, Hong Kong Jewish Community Celebrates Rabbi's 50th Lubavitch.com, 30 August 2009.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Chabad.org, Chabad of Hong Kong Chabad.org, accessed 7 October 2026.
- ↑ CrownHeights.info, An Heirloom Torah’s Journey From Jerusalem to Afghanistan to Hong Kong CrownHeights.info, 27 February 2024.
- ↑ Chabad of Kowloon, About Us KowloonChabad.com, accessed 7 October 2026.