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Sephardic Jews

Hong Kong

The Ohel Leah Synagogue is a Modern Orthodox Jewish synagogue located at the intersection of Robinson Road and Castle Road in the Mid-Levels area of Hong Kong Island. Established in 1902, it has served as a central hub for Jewish social and religious life in Hong Kong.Originally catering to a community of Baghdadi Sephardic Jews, the synagogue operated under the supervision of the Haham of the Spanish and Portuguese Congregation of London. Today, it is an independent congregation with members from across the global Jewish diaspora.The synagogue, a striking example of British Colonial Edwardian architecture, stands amidst Hong Kong’s towering skyscrapers. Designed by architects Leigh & Orange, it was constructed between 1901 and 1902. The whitewashed, multi-turreted, two-story structure underwent a $6 million restoration in 1998, returning it to its original splendor.The name 'Ohel Leah' honors Leah Sassoon, mother of the Sassoon brothers—Jacob, Edward, and Meyer—who donated the land for the synagogue. The Sassoons were among the earliest Sephardic merchants from India to settle in Hong Kong in the late 19th century.In addition to Ohel Leah, Hong Kong is home to other Jewish congregations: the Sephardic congregation, primarily comprised of Israeli expatriates; Chabad Lubavitch; and the United Jewish Congregation, which aligns with Reform and Conservative Judaism. Many local Jews hold memberships in multiple congregations.Declared a Grade I historic building in 1987, Ohel Leah was briefly at risk of demolition. To safeguard its future, the Hong Kong Antiquities Authority designated it a proposed monument, leading to a preservation agreement between the government and its owners. It was reinstated as a Grade I historic building in 1990.In 1998, the synagogue’s renovation received international acclaim, earning the Outstanding Project Award at the 2000 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. Ohel Leah continues to stand as a testament to the enduring legacy of Hong Kong’s Jewish community.

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