YU’s Chinese-Jewish Conversation (CJC) is a unique program designed to build a cultural bridge between the Chinese and Jewish communities and to provide a welcome space for Chinese students in New York City. The program sponsors periodic comparative seminars by Chinese and Jewish scholars, along with celebrations of significant cultural festivals such as the Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival, and informal gatherings of students, alumni, and professionals to enhance academic and cultural connections. Here’s a retrospective look at one of its most popular annual events—a recent celebration of the Chinese New Year.
Chinese New Year Celebration 2024: Year of the Dragon
By Ran Zhong and Chengkun Yao
The Chinese-Jewish Conversation (CJC) and the Katz School of Science and Health celebrated the Chinese Year of the Dragon at Beren Campus’ Yagoda Commons. More than 90 students and faculty came together for a lively evening of cultural exchange and festivities. The event highlighted the shared lunar calendar of the Chinese and Jewish New Year traditions through educational discussions, music, games and an abundance of kosher Chinese cuisine. For Yining Zhang, a Katz student majoring in digital media and marketing, the event marked the first time he celebrated the Spring Festival abroad. He noted that “it was a chance to experience the lively New Year atmosphere with classmates from all over the world—and to learn about the Jewish New Year!”
For Chinese students far from home, the evening was a time to connect with both old and new friends while sharing their traditions with the wider YU community. Known also as the "Spring Festival," the Lunar New Year is the most significant festival in Chinese culture. Culminating in the Lantern Festival, it is traditionally a time when families gather for a week or two.
Ms. Kedi He from Beijing hosted the event and introduced Dr. Mordechai Cohen, the Director of the CJC. Dr. Cohen shared his insights on how the Chinese and Jewish New Year celebrations and calendars compare. He explained that the Jewish New Year, Rosh haShanah, is celebrated on the new moon of the seventh month in the Jewish lunar calendar. In contrast, the Chinese Spring Festival is marked on the second new moon after the winter solstice. Interestingly, this often aligns with the Jewish month of Shevat—specifically, the New Year for Trees, a date based on one interpretation in the Talmud. Another Talmudic view places this celebration at the full moon, or Tu Bi-Shevat (the 15th of Shevat), which coincides with China's Lantern Festival. Dr. Cohen pointed out a fascinating occurrence: these celebrations can align after a Jewish leap year, as they did in 2023, and they will align again in 2025 due to this year being a Jewish leap year.
After the lecture, an engaging quiz game on Chinese and Jewish New Year traditions captivated the audience, with prizes awarded to the winners. Some of the Chinese participants, including Ms. He, were joined by their parents who traveled from China to New York for the New Year. The visiting family members were delighted to be part of the festivities as well learn about Jewish rituals and culture.
No Chinese celebration is complete without music and song, and the evening was no exception, with attendees enjoying karaoke renditions of many Chinese classics. The audience was particularly moved when Dr. Cohen, accompanied by his son Elisha (YUHSB '24), performed a beloved traditional Chinese song, “The Moon Represents My Heart.” The Chinese students felt as though they were back in their hometowns, with many commenting on how the magic of music bridged the gap between Chinese and Jewish cultures. Elisha, who is a member of the Miami Boys Choir, also shared Hebrew songs, adding a beautiful note of cultural harmony to the evening.
The festivities featured a variety of Chinese games, including "lucky draw" and a "chopsticks ping-pong ball" competition. With the latter, the Chinese students were pleasantly surprised to be outperformed by some of the Stern College students. The winners received traditional "Red Packets" with a gift card.
The colorful evening proved a memorable experience for all who attended. For Stern College student, Breindy Berger, the Chinese New Year celebration was truly meaningful. “I found the quiz fascinating and the ping-pong game a lot of fun!" Chaya Goldberger, her classmate, added, "I learned how to say 'Happy New Year' in Chinese from my new friend, Xinyue Huang! It was such a fantastic event.” Wei Luo, a Digital Arts and Visualization major at the Katz School, expressed a heartfelt thank you to the CJC team of Yeshiva University and Dr. Cohen for organizing the New Year celebration. “It allowed us Chinese students studying abroad to feel the festival's warmth and blessings!"
