Hong Kong Chabad Envoy Shares Faith Amidst Challenges

Rabbi Yisrael Lieberman, the Chabad emissary in Hong Kong for over a decade, shared insights into his work and faith during a rare holiday interview for the "Sukkot Around the World" project by Kikar HaShabbat. He described Hong Kong as a dynamic, modern metropolis akin to New York, home to a vibrant Jewish community of 4,000 to 5,000 people, primarily expatriates on temporary assignments.

The community faces unique logistical challenges during Sukkot, particularly in a city of high-rise buildings with limited outdoor space. Rabbi Lieberman explained that while most residents lack balconies or yards, Chabad has secured a building with a suitable balcony for their central Sukkah. They also assisted around 30 families in setting up their own Sukkahs and provided the Four Species (arba'at ha-minim).

Obtaining the Four Species presents difficulties, as they are not grown in China and must be imported, often leading to delays at customs due to officials' unfamiliarity with the items. Rabbi Lieberman recounted a personal experience where a shipment was held up, causing distress until it arrived mid-holiday, leading to immense joy.

Chabad also engages in outreach within local prisons, where approximately 13 Jewish inmates are currently held. With community support, they established a kosher kitchen in the prison. This year marked the first time the shofar was sounded in Stanley Prison, a deeply moving experience for the inmates, and efforts are underway to facilitate the observance of the Four Species for them as well.

Rabbi Lieberman also shared a profound moment of crisis during a severe economic downturn, when he felt they had reached their limit. He and his wife decided to write to the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Shortly after, another Chabad emissary, Rabbi Chitrik, unexpectedly arrived from Safed, en route to Australia, with a message of encouragement from the Rebbe, reinforcing their belief that they were in the right place and destined to grow.