Scholar in Residence

Rabbi Marvin Tokayer

Our community welcomes storyteller extraordinaire, prolific author and one of the leading experts in the world on the special relationship between the Far East and the Jews

April 25, 2015—Shabbat Tazria-Metzora

8:45 Shabbat morning at Hashkama

The East as Jewish Eden  

10:30  Shabbat morning before Musaf

Why are we blinded by the West...the  most benevolent diaspora was in the East

11:30   Shabbat morning after services

The Love Affair Between the Far East and Jewish Wisdom

6:00  Shabbat afternoon  tea  (Sisterhood sponsored refreshments)

Pepper, Silk and Ivory - Amazing Jews of China, Japan and India

7:00 PM  Mincha  (20 minutes earlier than on calendar)

Seudah shlishit   (25 minute talk)

Before AIPAC: The unknown Asian Jewish influence on the 1947 UN vote

8:22-8:27  Maariv - Havdallah           

Book signing immediately after Shabbat – “Pepper, Silk and Ivory”

   After his ordination as a rabbi, Marvin Tokayer served as United States Air Force Chaplain in Japan. He later served for eight years as the rabbi for the Jewish Community of Japan. He has written 20 books in Japanese; contributed to the Encyclopedia Judaica; and has acted as a bridge for many travelers between East and West.

He founded and led the Cherry Lane Minyan shul in Great Neck, NY for fourteen years, and continues to lead tours of Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia.