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Religion and Custom 367

fulfil an important role in the religious, cultural and social life of the Jewish people in Hong Kong.

The Ohel Leah Synagogue was built in 1901 on land given by Sir Jacob Sassoon and his family and includes a mikvah (ritual bath). There is also a Jewish Cemetery built in 1857 in Shan Kwong Road, Happy Valley. The site adjoining the Ohel Leah Synagogue which contains a residential complex, also houses the Jewish Community Centre, serving all three congregations. The centre offers its 400 member families supervised kosher dining and banqueting, cultural and recreational facilities, and operates a fully kosher supermarket, a wide range of activities and classes, and a specialist library covering all aspects of Judaica. The centre functions as the focal point of social and cultural life for the community. The community also operates the Carmel School and other supplementary religious educational classes. There are several charity organisations and cultural societies, including the Jewish Women's Association, the United Israel Appeal, the Israeli Chamber of Commerce and the Jewish Historical Society which all combine to create a vibrant Jewish community in Hong Kong.

Other Faiths

People are free to practise all religions in Hong Kong. Other religions that have been established in Hong Kong for many years include the Baha'is and

Zoroastrianism.