Who we are

Kehilat Shanghai is a diverse, inclusive and welcoming, multi-faceted lay-led community for progressive Jews and their families living in and visiting Shanghai. We welcome Jewish families, professionals, students, and travelers seeking Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, and community in Shanghai. Come for the challah, stay for the vibes!

Mission Statement

Kehilat Shanghai's purpose is to ensure that Jewish people from all backgrounds feel at home in Shanghai today and for generations to come, and to celebrate Jewish culture and traditions in a progressive spirit.

You are all welcome and encouraged to join our community and attend our events.

Kehilat Shanghai is affiliated with and strongly supported by the WUPJ (World Union of Progressive Judaism) and its regional arms: The UPJ (The Union of Progressive Judaism) in Australia and APJ (Asia Progressive Judaism).

If you’re headed to Beijing, you’ll want to look for Kehillat Beijing.

A rabbi is speaking to a group of children, some of whom are wearing traditional Jewish prayer shawls and kippahs. The scene appears to take place outside or in a semi-outdoor area with brick walls.
People reading a large scroll with Hebrew text, participating in a religious or cultural event.

Our Torah

Our torah was donated to our community in 2015 by Associação Religiosa Israelita (ARI) in Rio de Janeiro. The historic torah was smuggled out of Germany in 1939 by Siegfried Moses, a member of Berlin’s Wisenstrasse Synagogue. Moses carried the torah with him to Brazil, where it was used by ARI from 1942 until it was donated to Kehilat Shanghai.

Our Partners

A collage of logos representing various progressive Jewish organizations and communities, including the World Union for Progressive Judaism, BYO, Asia Progressive Judaism, Kehillat Beijing, JDC, PJ Library, the United Jewish Congregation of Hong Kong, and others.

  • The World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ), established in London in 1926, is the international umbrella organization of the Reform, Liberal, Progressive and Reconstructionist movements, serving 1,200 congregations with 1.8 million members in more than 50 countries.

  • The UPJ is the roof body that resources 27 congregations, schools, youth groups and communal organisations across Australia, New Zealand and Asia, serving about one fifth of the region’s affiliated Jewish community. Our role is to support and develop Progressive Judaism in the region so that our congregations and affiliates are best able to maintain and increase their strength and vitality.

  • APJ was founded to bring together the diverse communities of Asia and to enhance cooperation in our region. Our welcoming communities represent a broad spectrum of Jewish observance. We aim to create a community of respect and cooperation, bringing together kehilot from India to Japan. Asia Progressive Judiam is part of the UPJ (Union of Progressive Judaism of Australia, New Zealand and Asia).

  • PJ Library sends free, award-winning books that celebrate Jewish values and culture to families with children from birth through 12 years old.

  • BBYO is the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences.

  • JDC is the leading global Jewish humanitarian organization. For over a century, we’ve put Jewish values into action when the world needs it most. See what we do and what drives us.

  • Kehillat Beijing hosts Shabbat services and dinner each and every Friday night beginning at 7 pm, in addition to a range of holiday celebrations, educational opportunities, and community retreats and excursions into one of the world's greatest cities.

  • The United Jewish Congregation of Hong Kong is a welcoming, progressive synagogue that is home to a diverse community of Jews from around the world.

Contact us

New to Shanghai? Coming through town? Get in touch! We can’t wait to welcome you to Kehilat Shanghai.