First Upsherin in Beijing!

BEIJING, China [CHI] — Beijing, China recently experienced its first Upsherin. Levi Raskin, the son of Rabbi Mendy and Chani Raskin, Directors of Chabad of Downtown Beijing, was given his first haircut on his 3rd birthday in a communal event attended by over 150 members of the Jewish Community.

More pictures in the Extended Article! (Photos by: Y. Lewis)

An Upsherin is the first haircut ceremony which marks the start of the child’s formal education and features the leaving of payot and the child starting to wear a kipah and tzitzit.

As all programs run by Chabad in Beijing, the Upsherin was meticulously planned and carried out. The Upsherin was held in a large hall graciously provided by a prominent member of the Russian Jewish community. Giant pictures of Levi performing various mitzvot decorated the hall, arts and crafts activities were set up for children, gift bags containing mitzvah charts, activities and explanations of the custom were given to all who attended to take home. The delicious food was prepared in the Chabad House and featured a mitzvah train cake, mitzvah cookies and a smorgasbord of entrees.

Levi’s father, Rabbi Mendy Raskin addressed the guests in Hebrew and English. Mendy’s father Rabbi Shlomo Raskin who came especially from Tzfas, Israel to be at the Upsherin, spoke in Russian. Rabbi Shimon Fruendlich, the Director of Chabad Beijing spoke in English explaining the significance of the Upsherin and how the lessons of the Upsherin can be applied to each and every Jew.

Levi then recited the Aleph-Bet and thanked everyone for coming to his party. All of the attendees were invited to come up and snip a little of his hair.

Meanwhile, the children were given Jewish arts and crafts projects to do — pasting letters in torah scrolls, decorating pushkas, negel vasser, and balloons. A lively Jewish music mix contributed to the happy and joyous atmosphere.

Later in the evening a special farbrengen was held in the Chabad of Downtown. Inspirational words of gratitude were expressed by community members in appreciation for all Chabad is doing in Beijing. A festive dinner was served, and singing and dancing continued late into the night.

Rabbi Shimon and Dini Fruendlich, who direct the activities of Chabad in Beijing, have established a wonderful community infrastructure which includes two Chabad houses, a state-of-the-art school and community center, stunning mikvah and gourmet kosher restaurant.