Friends,
As you know we have been here in Japan for over 7 years and those years have been filled with both amazing achievements and difficult times. Baruch Hashem we have been able to see tremendous growth in Yidishkait and Yirat Shamim here in our work. To give you an idea, some of our accomplishments include:
- Jewish education for ages 3-12 with over 50 kids a week.
- Numerous classes with over 30 people attending weekly.
- Our most recent Chanuka party had over +200 people in attendance.
- Shabbats meals with average of 50 people served.
- Davening services.
- Holiday programs.
- Jewish activities at the American military bases in Japan.
- Israeli women club.
- Private counseling, visiting the sick, and much, much more on a daily basis.
We are very happy of what we have BH accomplished and realize there is much more we can do. Our biggest and most immediate concern is that the shul and the only mikvah in town was closed down at the beginning of March.
Japan is growing through a transformation, emerging out of a 15 year bubble and we are seeing real estate prices starting to increase again. Baruch Hashem, after years of looking, and many close calls, we have found an affordable and centrally located location. and we are overwhelmed with excitement.
Some of the essential facts of the project:
- The building is located about 1 mile from where we are now, in the "western" area of Tokyo where many Jewish families live and work.
- The building has 5 floors, total of 4200 square foot (400 square meters).
We are obviously building more than just bricks and mortar. We are building pride and a community. The new Chabad Center for Japan will bring Jewish pride to Japan. NACHAS to the Rebbe, as the Jewish life in Japan will move to a new league.
May Hashem continues to bless you with health and goodness, and may we merit the undertaking of the grandest project in history - the building of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, with the coming of Moshiach, speedily in our days, amen.
Thank you,
Rabbi Mendi and Chana Sudakevich