Special to the Ita Jewish Community in Taiwan

The Jewish community of Taipei, Taiwan, recently celebrated its Fifth anniversary. founded in 1975 by former members of the Jewish community in Japan, the Taipei community consists of approximately 50 families, the great majority of whom are involved in business and trade. Located in a converted home in a fashionable Taipei suburb, the community schedules a full range of cultural and religious activities for its membership with careful provisions made for visitors.

Having no rabbi of its own, the lay leaders provide the membership with guidance. Y.S. Liberman, president and founder of the community, has directed its activities since Its inception. The Jewish Center contains a synagogue, two classrooms for 15 children, a kitchen, pool, library, and social area.

A FIRST FOR TAIWAN

Recently, a prominent member of the community, Jeffrey Schwartz, married a local Chinese woman, the former Margaret Wu. Ms. Wu had converted previously to Judaism. The lavish ceremony was held in the splendor of the famous Grand Hotel built by Madame Chiang Kai Shek. This was the first recorded Jewish-Chinese wedding in Taiwanese history and the event received extensive coverage both in the local newspapers and television.

Schwartz is president of the Four Star International Trading Co., one of the largest earners of foreign exchange for Taiwan. The banquet room of the hotel was filled with thousands of fresh flowers made into Chinese lucky characters and the Star of David, surrounding a beautiful chuppah and two large handmade menorahs in honor of the Chanukah season.

Rabbi Jonathan Maltzman, spiritual leader of the Japan Jewish community, was invited to Taipei to officiate at the wedding and to promote ties between the local Jewish community and its counterpart in Tokyo.