What’s Happening at the JCJ

Welcome to the Jewish Community of Japan

ברוכים הבאים לקהילה היהודית ביפן

日本ユダヤ教団へようこそ

Our community was formally chartered in 1953. We are open and accommodating to all Jews whatever their place in the spectrum of Jewish views and wherever they may come from. We provide for the religious, educational, and social needs of our members. We also provide a place for visitors to Japan who want to participate in Shabbat services and enjoy kosher meals in a congenial atmosphere with fellow Jews.
Our center offers Shabbat & Holidays services, a religious school and adult education classes, a mikvah; a library with books in English, Hebrew and Japanese, a space for lectures and many more religious and social activities and events.

Our Rabbi

Rabbi Andrew Scheer

Rabbi Andrew Scheer was born and raised in Woodmere, New York. He studied at Yeshivat Sha’arei Mevaseret Zion and earned his BA in Jewish History from New York University.
Between college and seminary, Andrew taught English in the Japanese countryside and Sunday School at the Jewish Community of Japan.

While studying at YCT, Andrew was a Wexner Graduate Fellow. He had the privilege of serving as Rabbinic Intern at Congregation Sherith Israel in Nashville, Tennessee and Congregation Orach Chaim on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Andrew served in the United States Army Reserve for five years where he was assigned to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Following ordination, Andrew worked on Rikers Island as a Jewish Chaplain with the New York City Department of Correction. Andrew completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at VA New York Harbor Healthcare System after which he assumed the role of Senior Rabbi for the hospital. Andrew is married to his lovely wife, Tali who originally hails from Denver, Colorado and works as a software engineer.