FRJC

The Foundation for Remote Jewish Communities, Inc.

The Foundation for Remote Jewish Communities (FRJC),

a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization established in 2002 by Rabbi Marvin Tokayer.

Working with experts from the International Survey of Jewish Monuments and other organizations,

the objective of the FRJC is to preserve and promote the remote Jewish communities

on the periphery of the Diaspora.

In addition to the project to rebuild the Silk Road Jewish Heritage Center in China,

the FRJC has identified other endangered communities “on the brink” in China, India and elsewhere.

Japan, China, Hong Kong & Southeast Asia 2005

Tour Dates	Program Name/Description
July 3 to Jul 17, 2005	Pepper Silk & Ivory© (our 24^th Year!) 5-star Deluxe tour through China & Japan Escorted by Rabbi Marvin Tokayer In the annals of the Holocaust, the saga of the thousands of European Jews who fled to a safe haven in the Far East is virtually unknown in the West. This is the story of The Fugu Plan, of Japan’s “unsung Schindler" and other heroes of WWII. The itinerary features Kyoto, Kobe, Tokyo, Beijing, Kaifeng, Xian, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Dec 18, 2005 ~ Jan 1, 2006 May 22 ~ Jun 2	Chanukah in Southeast Asia incl. Angkor Wat Fully escorted Deluxe tour to Cambodia, Thailand & Vietnam through Jewish eyes ™ Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, sits at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap rivers. Considered the loveliest of the French-built cities of Indochina, it was founded as a small monastery in 1372 by a rich Khmer woman called Penh after she found four Buddha statues in a tree trunk on the banks of the Mekong. She set up the monastery on a nearby hill – or ‘phnom’ in Cambodian. Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most spectacular and well-preserved archaeological sites. Built in the 12^th century to honor the Hindu god Vishnu, it is the most famous of the 300 or more ancient monuments in the Angkor plains of Siem Reap. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Hanoi present a poignant page in the histories of so many civilizations including, in recent times, the French and Americans. Remains of the Vietnam War include the amazing and infamous honeycomb network of tunnels at Cu Chi, presenting a counterpoint to a city and country on the brink of modernization and recovery. Traveling up river, Shabbat in Hoi An will be an unforgettable experience Bangkok is Thailand’s colorful capital. Striding the banks of the River of Kings, its magnificent temples and palaces glint in the tropical sunlight as far as the eyes can see, a wondrous counterpoint to the modern monorail and shopping centers. Our deluxe riverfront hotel is within close walking distance of one of the synagogues. Teen China A fascinating, fun-filled China tour for high school teens only Visiting the important sights including the terra cotta army in Xian. The group will meet Chinese students and share in sports and other activities, see a circus, ride bicycles, climb the Great Wall, play ping pong, visit the panda zoo, attend concerts, and much much more. Social studies will never be the same again!
Your Hosts:	Rabbi Marvin Tokayer Creator of the "through Jewish Eyes©" travel programs since 1982, Rabbi Tokayer is one of the world's foremost authorities on remote Jewish communities. During the past 22 years, he has acted as a bridge between East and West and literally sailed the seven seas, helping countless travelers experience Jewish interest tours and cruises to the seven continents. Author of 34 books on Judaica, Rabbi Tokayer's book, The Fugu Plan, the story of Chiune Suhigara, Japan’s “unsung Schindler” who saved many thousands of lives during the Holocaust, is currently in paperback and will soon be a motion picture. He was also historical consultant on the PBS documentary, “Conspiracy of Kindness,” that will air on national television in Spring 2005. Professor Xu Xin Professor of History & Jewish Culture, and Director of the Center for Jewish Studies at China’s Nanjing University, Prof. Xu (pronounced ‘shoe’) was Editor in Chief of the Chinese edition of the Encyclopedia Judaica. His book, The Legends of the Chinese Jews of Kaifeng, is a popular work about the Silk Road and the brave explorers who founded the ancient trading posts exactly six days walk from each other. He is an expert on the Jewish experience in China and has traveled and lectured extensively in Israel and the United States. He recently served as visiting scholar at the Center for Jewish Studies at Harvard University. Bernard Krisher Born in Frankfurt, Germany in 1931, Bernie Krisher emigrated to the U.S. in 1941 and studied at Queens College, Columbia and Harvard. He went to Japan in 1962 and worked at Newsweek as a correspondent, then later as bureau chief until he opened the Tokyo bureau for Fortune Magazine. He is the author of five books including The Pluses and Minuses of Being Japanese and Charisma & Leadership which he co-authored with King Norodom Sihanouk. Ten years ago, Krisher established American Assistance for Cambodia and Japan Relief for Cambodia, organizations that support various charitable projects in Cambodia. Krisher is also publisher of The Cambodia Daily, the only English-language publication in Cambodia, and publishes the special edition featuring the Coronation of the new King in 2004. Krisher is founder and chairman of the Sihanouk Hospital in Phnom Penh. In 2001 he received the Gleitsman Foundation International Activist of the Year Award. Bernie now lives in Japan and coordinates a project of constructing 250 rural schools throughout Cambodia from private donations matched by The World Bank and Asian Development Bank. Prof. Shalom Paul Chair of the Bible Department of Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Prof. Paul is responsible for all publications of the Dead Sea Scrolls. He is a much sought-after lecturer throughout North America, Europe and Asia, with the unique skill to make the ancient Bible world come alive. He was editor of the Encyclopedia Judaica’s Bible section and has written numerous articles and books on nature and scientific exploration from a biblical perspective including The Bible & Archaeology. Prof. Paul has led numerous tours and delegations including Lotus Tours, UJA, Israel Bond missions, U.S. Congressional tours, AIPAC and Wexner groups. Prof. Paul resides in Israel. Dr. Amiel Tokayer Amiel Tokayer was born and raised in Japan. He is a graduate of Yeshiva University and a board certified Rheumatologist, currently residing in South Florida. Born and raised in the Far East, Amiel grew up in the exotic world of Chiune Sugihara, Israel Epstein, Two-Gun Cohen, Jacob Schiff, the Kadoories and other giants that made up the fabric of the Jewish experience in Asia.
For more Information: For reservations & information, contact:	http://www.hkta.org/ http://www.jnto.go.jp/ http://www.cnto.org/ http://www.miyakohotel.co.jp/ http://www.smi-hotels.com.sg/ http://www.regal-hotels.com/ Lotus Tours, Ltd. 2 Mott Street, New York, NY 10013 USA Toll free outside NY: (877) L-O-T-U-S-T-O-U-R-S (568-8786) (212)267-5414 Fax: (212)608-6007 E-mail: jewisheyes@lotustours.us European Representative: 44(208)202-7934