My Jewish Identity: Made in China

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My Jewish Identity: Made in China

Yaakov Schy spent years living and working in rural Asia, where he discovered that everyone had a tribal identity except for him. That led him to rediscover Judaism.

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Yaakov lives with his wife and daughter in West Rogers Park, a neighborhood of Chicago. He speaks around the country about his forthcoming book, “Made in China,” his story of how, while living in rural China for seven years, with no Jews or Judaism, he had his Jewish awakening. He is a private Taichi instructor, and he works in finance.

Chana Weisberg is host of the Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories podcast and curator of advanced learning experiences on Chabad.org. She lectures internationally on issues relating to women, relationships, meaning, self-esteem and the Jewish soul. She is the author of six books. Her latest book, Shabbat Delights, is a two-volume series on the weekly Torah portion.

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7 Comments

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Rochelle Israel June 2, 2026

Very interesting story, I like his approach to life, and find it strengthening. Thank you! Reply

Yaakov Schy Chicago June 3, 2026

in response to Rochelle :

Rochelle, thank you so much for listening to my story! You can read my writing at my website. If you would like to receive updates on my book forthcoming "Made in China" my drop me a line there! Reply

Eden Daniella Lazar June 1, 2026

This interview played in my mind like a movie. What a blessing to have such amazing experiences and meet such unique, fascinating people, and be exposed to so many traditions and ways of life. Incredible stories to tell and retall all your life. Reply

Yaakov Schy June 2, 2026

in response to Eden Daniella Lazar:

Thank you so much, Eden, for listening to my story and sharing. It was a truly lucky experience although challenging in many respects. With everything there is good and bad, or less good. Regarding it playing like a movie, who knows, maybe there will be one! When I think about life I often recount the way a movie is written. Although we are drawn into the world of the movie while watching and it appears as if the scenes and the story are unfolding spontaneously everything is written already. What's more every detail of every scene is carefully selected or removed to create the final product. I sometimes think about how maybe Hashem runs our lives the same way. Every detail is carefully curated to create the masterpiece of his own design. Hashem is the ultimate screenwriter and director. He authors all of our stories! You can read my writing at my website. If you would like to receive updates on my book forthcoming "Made in China" my drop me a line there! Reply

Eden Daniella Lazar June 3, 2026

in response to Yaakov Schy:

Yes, I would love updates on your book. I was born in Romania, when Romania was communist and had great economic ties with China. My father worked for the government doing import-export for the country. He treveled the entire world. At his suggestion I started learning Chinese, to follow in his steps in International business relations. Nobody was learning Chinese in 1990-s in Romania. I was actually pretty good at it and I was supposed to go to China on a 8 year scholarship. I came to America instead, on vacation, and never went back. I now don't remeber any Chinese. I do feel it opened my mind in ways nothing else could have ever done it. It made my mind and ability to learn things more... flexible. Listening to your story I started to regret a bit that I didn't go to China on my scholarship. But as you said, Hashem is the ultimate director and obviously I was not meant to. IThank you again for your story! Reply

Dina June 3, 2026

in response to Yaakov Schy:

That’s an interesting take on life-‘ Every detail is carefully curated to create the masterpiece of his own design.’
Thank you! Reply

Syed fakhar Naqui fakhar June 1, 2026

Very interesting story this story mean lesson very difficult position trusted guard Reply

My Jewish Identity: Made in China

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