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EditorMissionDear Readers:Welcome to the 6 th issue of Asian JewishLife. As I write this letter I am preparing toattend the 2011 ROI Summit in Jerusalem.ROI is a global community, created byLynn Schusterman, that works towardscreating an international network of youngJewish leaders with innovative and diversepaths for connecting to Jewish life.Living in the Far East, Jews findthemselves somewhat ‘off the radar’and a bit disconnected from the majorarteries of Jewish life. The ROI Summitrepresents an incredible opportunity forAsian Jewish Life to actively engage inconversations and partnerships withglobal Jewry, outside the limits of thevirtual world, and another opportunity tohelp put Jewish life in Asia on the map.The massive earthquake and tsunamiin Japan temporarily shifted the Jewishworld’s focus to this region and we sawJewish and Israeli organizations take thelead on humanitarian aid efforts. AJLteamed up with eJewish Philanthropy andutilized the eJewish Philanthropy platformto provide first hand information on howthe Jewish/Israeli world responded inthe aftermath of the quake. Together wehighlighted the efforts of organizationsthat included: American JewishCommittee (AJC), Israel Defense Forces(IDF), Joint Distribution Committee (JDC),ZAKA, Chabad of Asia and IsraAID. AJLwould like to commend all the Jewishand Israeli organizations that contributedto and continue to contribute to the reliefwork in Japan. These organizations, inaddition to providing desperately neededhumanitarian aid, continue to make alasting and positive impression on theJapanese people. They all are the ‘bestof Asian Jewish life’.In this issue, our Best of AJL featurehighlights and recaps the work of theIDF in Japan, again, just one of manyJewish world responders. This missionagain gives a sense of the importanceof Tikkun Olam in our tradition. We alsobring you an Expat Diary piece writtenby Aimee Weinstein of the Tokyo JewishCommunity as she struggled with thedecision whether to leave Japan andwhen to return.Away from Japan, we have also includedan array of creative pieces. AJL officiallywelcomes Allison Heiliczer on board asour Photography Editor and we havechosen to showcase her photographyand accompanying poetry in our poetrysection. Our Books Editor, Susan-Blumberg Kason, has provided aninsightful read of the Battle Hymn ofthe Tiger Mother with a contrast to theeducational values discussed in FortunateSons. Yes, the debate continues.We also have included a beautiful piece byRaquelle Azran, Hanoi and Counting. Herwork appeared previously in our Spring2010 issue. Likewise, I have included oneof my own Hong Kong-based memoirtypepieces, Holy People in the Taxi. Theseare both in our Writer’s Desk section.For the first time, we have a feature focusedon the little known Sri Lankan Jewishconnection. Australian writer and photojournalist Andrew Harris has contributedphotographs and editorial in Secrets ofCeylon - What happened to the Jews ofSri Lanka? As he, more correctly adds,“And did they ever exist.” As for additionallittle known connections, Dr. Shalva Weilconnects Rachel’s Tomb and the BeneIsrael for us in The Tomb of Rachel - theBene Israel Connection. We bring youanother look at India’s Bene Israel in thecover story, Siona Benjamin’s Interviewson Canvas- Faces of the Bene Israel.And surprising, yet true, we offer a look ata new sitcom in the US called Kosher Pig.The show follows a Chinese girl, adoptedby a Jewish family, as she searches forher Chinese roots. On a much moreserious note, Carice Witte, representing anorganization called SIGNAL, out of Israel,will give insight into the Israeli/ Chineseacademic connection and explain theimportance of this partnership. Thoughlooking towards the future in China, westill are looking back. A Travel Diary pieceby Rabbi Mark S. Bloom, gives a tourist’sview of Kaifeng. I hope the addition of aTravel Diary section will give readers agreater opportunity to contribute to AsianJewish Life.I hope you enjoy this tour of Jewish Asia!Erica LyonsEditor-in-ChiefASIAN JEWISH LIFE ISSUE 6ASIAN JEWISH LIFEA JOURNAL OF SPIRIT, SOCIETY AND CULTURESiona Benjamin’s Interviews on CanvasFaces of the Bene IsraelSecrets of CeylonWhat happened to the Jews of Sri Lanka?Visit to the IDF Field Hospitalin Minami SanrikuAn insider’s viewAsian Jewish Life is a freequarterly publication designed toshare regional Jewish thoughts,ideas and culture and promoteunity. It also celebrates ourindividuality and our diversebackgrounds and customs.Asian Jewish Life is a registeredcharity in Hong Kong. AJL is alsounder the fiscal sponsorship ofthe Center for Jewish Culture andCreativity, a qualified US 501(c)(3)charitable organization.Editor-in-ChiefErica LyonsCopy EditorJana DanielsBooks EditorSusan Blumberg-KasonPhotography EditorAllison HeiliczerDesignerTerry ChowBoard of DirectorsEli Bitan, Bruce Einhorn,Peter Kaminsky, Amy MinesISSUE 6 (JUNE 2011)3