My kids learned in Sunday school this past weekend that today is Israel Independence Day. Although it’s far from Israel, Hong Kong celebrates this day in style at the gorgeous, 111-year old Ohel Leah synagogue.
Last year around this time, my husband Tom and I traveled to Hong Kong. On our second day there, we mostly walked up the mountain to meet my friend Erica before heading to Ohel Leah.
The synagogue had been decorated days before that for Israel Independence Day. This is what it looked like inside.
Hong Kong used to be crucial to Israelis who traveled to Asia. Back when I first lived in Hong Kong, Israel and China did not have diplomatic relations. It must have felt for Israelis the same way it felt for folks from the US who came to Hong Kong before the US and China re-established relations. Now things are different, as China and Israel not only have diplomatic relationships, but also enjoy a nice relationship.
Still, because of this photo, I think from now on I’ll always think of Hong Kong when I think about Israel Independence Day.
And one more link between Hong Kong and Israel: when Jews left China after WWII, many first stopped in Hong Kong on their way to their new home–Israel.
Is that the lovely Erica Lyons you mentioned? And great photo you’ve posted here, Susan. Speaking of Jewish refugees in China, there is an interesting side story about a few thousand of them who came through Kobe after being saved by a Japanese diplomat in Europe, Chiune Sugihara (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiune_Sugihara). I wrote a tiny piece for a Japanese expat mag about this about 7 years ago and unearthed some great pics of the refugees in Kobe, but now I can’t find them. Wish I hadn’t misplaced my copies!
It is Erica Lyons!! Such a lovely day with her, touring the synagogue, going to the Peak, eating at the Foreign Correspondents Club, and shopping, of course. We met up for lunch on my last day, too. Much too quick of a trip; I never got over jet lag.
I love the Sugihara story! It was tragic the way he was demoted after the war. I wonder if you could find that story you wrote somewhere on the Internet? It sounds fabulous!
Nice post Susan. I can’t believe that was a year ago already.
Thank you so much, Erica! I know, isn’t it hard to believe that a year has almost passed? The kids and I were just talking about it today. They still love all the gifts I got them!