RELIGION AND CUSTOM
established in 1901, is the provision of free meals and short-term accommodation for overseas visitors of any faith. Religious services, which include hymn-singing, readings from the Guru Granth (the Sikh Holy Book) and sermons by the priest, are held every Sunday morning. The temple houses a library containing a good selection of books on the Sikh religion and culture, and runs a 'starters' school for Indian children aged between four and six to prepare them for English primary schools in Hong Kong. The main holy days and festivals observed by the Sikh community are the birthdays of Guru Nanak (founder of the faith), Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th Guru) and Baisakhi (the birthday of all Sikhs).
The Jewish Community
Hong Kong's Jewish community — comprising families from various parts of the world worships on Friday evenings, Saturday mornings and Jewish holidays at the Synagogue Ohel Leah in Robinson Road, Hong Kong Island. The synagogue was built in 1901 on land given by Sir Jacob Sassoon and his family. The original site included a Rabbi's residence and school, as well as a recreation club for the 1 000 people in the congregation. There is also a Jewish Cemetery, at Happy Valley.
The site adjoining the synagogue, which once housed the school and club, has been redeveloped into two residential blocks of flats. Within this complex is the new Jewish Community Centre which has kosher dining facilities and recreational facilities for members only. All dining facilities are under full-time rabbinical supervision. The centre offers meeting and banquet facilities as well as a specialist library carefully put together to cover all aspects of Judaica.
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