Taiwan Opens Its First Jewish Cemetery, Marking a Historic Burial

A historic ceremony took place this week in Taipei, Taiwan, with the formal opening of the country’s first Jewish cemetery. The milestone also included the first Jewish funeral held there, for a 73-year-old Israeli citizen who had been living in Taiwan.

Members of the man’s family traveled from around the world, including from Israel, to accompany him on his final journey. According to ZAKA, volunteers from its international division were on site to ensure the deceased was treated with dignity.

Baruch Nidam, head of ZAKA’s international division, said the team came from Hong Kong under the leadership of Chabad emissary Rabbi Mendy Rabinovitch, at the request of local Chabad emissary Rabbi Shlomi Tabib. He said they assisted with every part of the funeral and burial according to Jewish law.

Rabbi Mendy Rabinovitch, who serves as Chabad emissary in Hong Kong and ZAKA commander in East Asia, said they are experienced in handling Jewish burials because Hong Kong already has a Jewish cemetery. Until now, Jews who died in Taiwan were generally transferred to burial in Jewish cemeteries in other countries. The new burial site is seen as a significant development for Taiwan’s Jewish community, allowing dignified burial in line with Jewish tradition within Taiwan itself.