launches an online version of Asia's first Jewish newspaper
August 21, 2008 23:00Philip Jay is doing his bit to boost Hong Kong's Jewish community.
Two years ago, he launched the Jewish Times Asia - credited as Asia's first Jewish newspaper. He has recently launched the paper's online version, www.jewishtimesasia.org, in an attempt to raise the profile of Hong Kong's Jewish communities. He edits both editions.
"The Jewish communities of Asia have historically been very low-profile, with little communication across the Jews living, working and visiting Asia," Mr Jay, 45, tells People. "The plan of the paper - and website - is to provide a platform for communities to tell each other what's going on."
A publisher, Mr Jay moved to Hong Kong from Ilford, Essex, 20 years ago. "One of the reasons I decided to launch the paper was because there are an increasing number of Jews moving to Asia for business opportunities. Hong Kong is still the regional hub, but in the future, I think China, Beijing and Shanghai will become very popular too. It's a community that is definitely growing." There are currently around 3,000 Jews in Hong Kong.
The Jewish Times Asia is currently a free monthly tabloid, distributed to Jewish homes and businesses across the region, but Mr Jay hopes to publish it more than once a month.
He is a member of the Ohel Leah Synagogue on Robinson Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong.
To get more news, click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.