A fascinating read, thank you Ruth. It's always interesting for me to read about your culture and traditions, especially the ones that involve food! I hope you had a wonderful time with your son and daughter-in-law too.
Ruth, as always, loved your story about your most recent trip to Japan and learned something new about Jews in Japan. So glad you had the opportunity to visit with your son and daughter-in-law. Hope to see you soon. Thanks
Ruth what a gift to visit your son and share such a beautiful experience with us, all that history was so interesting I’m reading the article again. I have always wanted to travel to Japan .
Thanks so much, Maggie! You should go sometime. It's an amazing country. We've now been six times, and on every trip I'm only more intrigued by the culture, history and people.
I love learning new things and this was by far one of the most interesting and unexpected. Thank you, as always, for sharing your wonderful experience. Happy Passover to you and Jeff! ❤
Thanks, Leslie! So glad you enjoyed the piece. It was quite unexpected to come across this rabbi and his congregation when we thought we must be the only members of the tribe in Kobe. But of course that's never the case. I only wish we'd been able to stay for the seder. Happy Passover!
Thanks, Jolene! It was a bit challenging bringing a challah. I wanted it to be as fresh as possible, so I baked it the morning of the day we left. It was so big, I couldn't fit it into a bag and had to chop it in half. By the time I delivered it, it was already 2 days old. Then my daughter-in-law said she wasn't sure she had room in her very small freezer, so she gave a few slices away. Honestly, a box of matzo might be a lot easier! 😆Thanks for the Passover wishes. A very Happy Easter to you and your family!
So interesting. I wonder if Rabbi Vishedsky is still affiliated with Chabad? If not, that experience will still have helped him with community building. I know that it's hard to keep kosher in large parts of America, so I'm impressed he's able to do so in Japan.
Yes, I believe he is. A lot of folks have mixed feelings about Chabad because it's Orthodox, but in some parts of the world, it's the only choice for Jews who want to celebrate their faith, especially places like Japan where there are few Jews and the ones there are are extremely scattered.
It's a very interesting organization (I've read a fair bit, but will try not to show off!), and ultra-Orthodox, founded by Hasidic groups (which is why I was surprised by your video, because, from here, the rabbi looks modern Orthodox). I know that, when Chabad started, there was much concern among Reform and secular Jews that it was trying to spread Hasidism, although that concern has abated somewhat: It's certainly, as you say, proven very helpful to Jews in areas where the Jewish community, whatever its level of observance, is small or scattered. I would love to have seen more of the community. Have they intermarried with Japanese people?
Annette, thanks for your additional comments and knowledge. I definitely want and need to do more research about Chabad (perhaps in a future post). I do know about the Hasidic connection, though not in any detail. I believe there are a lot of intermarried Jewish-Japanese couples among the Kobe temple’s congregants, but the rabbi was pressed for time, so we didn’t really get to ask about that. He did say my Japanese daughter-in-law would be most welcome.
What a fascinating history Ruth! I never would have guessed that the Japanese, allies of the Germans, provided safe haven for Jewish refugees. Thank you for sharing.
A fascinating read, thank you Ruth. It's always interesting for me to read about your culture and traditions, especially the ones that involve food! I hope you had a wonderful time with your son and daughter-in-law too.
Thanks for commenting, Marg! We did have fun. So glad you enjoyed the article.
Ruth, as always, loved your story about your most recent trip to Japan and learned something new about Jews in Japan. So glad you had the opportunity to visit with your son and daughter-in-law. Hope to see you soon. Thanks
Hi Carolyn! So good to hear from you! It's been way too long! Hope we can talk and get together very soon. Happy Easter!!!
wow. what a cool experience!
Thanks, Julia!
Ruth what a gift to visit your son and share such a beautiful experience with us, all that history was so interesting I’m reading the article again. I have always wanted to travel to Japan .
Enjoy the blessings of Passover,
Thanks so much, Maggie! You should go sometime. It's an amazing country. We've now been six times, and on every trip I'm only more intrigued by the culture, history and people.
I love learning new things and this was by far one of the most interesting and unexpected. Thank you, as always, for sharing your wonderful experience. Happy Passover to you and Jeff! ❤
Thanks, Leslie! So glad you enjoyed the piece. It was quite unexpected to come across this rabbi and his congregation when we thought we must be the only members of the tribe in Kobe. But of course that's never the case. I only wish we'd been able to stay for the seder. Happy Passover!
Oh, this is so good, Ruth! And, fascinating history. Loved you traveling with the Challah. Wishing you and your family near and far Happy Passover! ❤️
Thanks, Jolene! It was a bit challenging bringing a challah. I wanted it to be as fresh as possible, so I baked it the morning of the day we left. It was so big, I couldn't fit it into a bag and had to chop it in half. By the time I delivered it, it was already 2 days old. Then my daughter-in-law said she wasn't sure she had room in her very small freezer, so she gave a few slices away. Honestly, a box of matzo might be a lot easier! 😆Thanks for the Passover wishes. A very Happy Easter to you and your family!
Fascinating. Who knew. Too bad you couldn't have stayed dor the seder.
Yes, I wish we'd been able to do that! Maybe next year!
Happy Holiday/s to ya Ruth! Loved reading this newsletter! Interesting info on the Jewish culture in Kobe!
Who knew?! Next time you’ll pack some matzos too!!
Absolutely! Lotsa matzo--plus size 13 shoes! Happy Easter and Passover to you guys also! 💝
Loved your article, Ruth. Miss our passovers together from long ago. This year in Boston with grandbaby. Next year ??? Jerusalem? California? Japan?
Chag Sameach!
Rena? Is this you? Chag Sameach! It would be great to do Passover next year here, there, anywhere! Enjoy the new grandbaby! And Mazel Tov!💕
Chag Semeach!
So interesting. I wonder if Rabbi Vishedsky is still affiliated with Chabad? If not, that experience will still have helped him with community building. I know that it's hard to keep kosher in large parts of America, so I'm impressed he's able to do so in Japan.
Yes, I believe he is. A lot of folks have mixed feelings about Chabad because it's Orthodox, but in some parts of the world, it's the only choice for Jews who want to celebrate their faith, especially places like Japan where there are few Jews and the ones there are are extremely scattered.
It's a very interesting organization (I've read a fair bit, but will try not to show off!), and ultra-Orthodox, founded by Hasidic groups (which is why I was surprised by your video, because, from here, the rabbi looks modern Orthodox). I know that, when Chabad started, there was much concern among Reform and secular Jews that it was trying to spread Hasidism, although that concern has abated somewhat: It's certainly, as you say, proven very helpful to Jews in areas where the Jewish community, whatever its level of observance, is small or scattered. I would love to have seen more of the community. Have they intermarried with Japanese people?
Annette, thanks for your additional comments and knowledge. I definitely want and need to do more research about Chabad (perhaps in a future post). I do know about the Hasidic connection, though not in any detail. I believe there are a lot of intermarried Jewish-Japanese couples among the Kobe temple’s congregants, but the rabbi was pressed for time, so we didn’t really get to ask about that. He did say my Japanese daughter-in-law would be most welcome.
Very cool! Thanks so much, Ruth. Glad he was able to make time to chat, however briefly.
What a fascinating history Ruth! I never would have guessed that the Japanese, allies of the Germans, provided safe haven for Jewish refugees. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much, Vicki! It is very interesting. There are always puzzles when it comes to humanity--it's never black and white.
Great piece!