About Us
Who We Are
Thailand Progressive Jewish Community is a group of Jewish people from all over the world -- including native Thais -- living in Thailand who have come together to create progressive and inclusive religious services as well as educational activities and social events.
Our membership includes business people, professionals, educators, NGO staff, and retirees.
We aim to meet the spiritual and cultural needs of all Jewish residents throughout Thailand, and follow the Progressive/Reform/Liberal liturgy. Rabbis from around the world occasionally visit us to lead services, and at other times our President and Shliach Tzibur, Alec Goldman, leads.
Membership in TPJC is open to all Jews of any background, as well as people in a relationship with Jews, people with Jewish ancestry, and those who are seriously considering conversion to Judaism. More information can be found at https://www.meetup.com/Reform-Jewish-Community-in-Bangkok-Meetup/
We're always looking for new members, so if you are interested in attending any of our events, don't be shy -- there's always enough challah and Manischewitz for all!
What TPJC Stands For
TPJC's Mission
The Thailand Progressive Jewish Community (TPJC) exists to meet the spiritual, educational, religious, social, cultural, and lifecycle needs of a growing, evolving Jewish community in Bangkok and beyond.
TPJC's Vision
TPJC envisions a vibrant, diverse Reform/Progressive Jewish community equipped to meet the needs of Jews in Bangkok and throughout the Kingdom of Thailand. TPJC will endeavor to accomplish this not only by serving the needs identified in the Mission Statement, but through active outreach and engagement with those who identify with Reform/Progressive Jewish values and ideals. TPJC will also engage in education not just of the community, but also, where appropriate, by participating in broader interfaith initiatives so that it can spread understanding of the vibrant diversity of Judaism with the intention of combating antisemitism.
TPJC's Values
TPJC’s values are its people. Therefore, TPJC believes in an open community that welcomes participation regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, or political alignment. That said, membership guidelines exist separately within the bylaws and will be adhered to. While TPJC firmly believes in Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, it also understands that there is a diversity of opinion within the Jewish community regarding what that should look like and welcomes that discussion and diversity as well. Likewise, TPJC believes in the importance of Judaism’s rich dialectic history and values the ongoing conversation surrounding the continuing evolution of our living faith and peoplehood, and how we express the values we hold sacred in a modern, relevant context.
Our History
Thailand Progressive Jewish Community (TPJC) grew from a shared wish to create a welcoming Progressive Jewish home in Bangkok. An earlier effort to establish TPJC in the city had begun in 2007, with World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) Chair Rabbi Joel Oseran visiting to lead High Holidays, but was not able to sustain itself. Then, in 2014, founding President Barry Satz brought together a group of like-minded people and the TPJC we know today began by planning High Holidays celebrations and discussing the possibility of building a lasting community.
In January 2014, the group formed Thailand Reform Jewish Community on Meetup. It was later renamed Thailand Progressive Jewish Community, reflecting the language of the WUPJ. The first gathering was small, but it quickly brought together a committed circle of founding members, including Barry Satz, Andrew Silver, Elissa Miller-Kay, John Sutton, Michael and Narissara March, Beverly Frankel, Joel Gershon, and Alec Goldman. They shared a vision of inclusive, participatory Jewish life in Thailand.
By August 2014, the community was meeting regularly and planning its first High Holiday services. The Davis Hotel hosted Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur that September. John Sutton and Alec Goldman led Rosh Hashanah services, while Rabbi Nico Socolovsky traveled from Singapore, with support from WUPJ, to lead Yom Kippur. Members and participants raised the funds needed for the venue and travel costs, and the community was also grateful for Rabbi Yosef Kantor’s encouragement and gifts of kipot and a shofar.
TPJC’s first year concluded with a Shabbat visit from Rabbi Nico and a Hanukkah celebration attended by more than 20 people. These early gatherings set the tone for a community built through volunteer effort, friendship, hospitality, and a commitment to making Jewish life accessible in Bangkok.
Over time, TPJC adopted bylaws and established a Board of Directors to support its growing activities. While it is not currently a registered Thai association, it operates as a community of people who come together to celebrate, learn, and care for one another.
Today, TPJC offers annual High Holiday services with visiting rabbis, monthly Shabbat services, a communal Passover Seder, and Hanukkah and Purim celebrations. The community also hosts a monthly bagel brunch, TPJC talks, Jewish education, and lifecycle events such as baby naming and b’rit ceremonies, weddings, and B’nai Mitzvah celebrations. In 2024, TPJC received its first Sefer Torah from the World Union for Progressive Judaism thanks to a generous gift from the Casey family in Canberra, Australia, and marked this milestone during Shabbat Shuva 5785 with a welcoming celebration.
TPJC is enriched by visiting rabbis and by the many members who lead services, teach, organize events, and contribute their time and resources. Members living outside Bangkok can also participate in services online. The community continues to support people exploring conversion and others reconnecting with their Jewish heritage.
With more than 200 people connected through Meetup, TPJC includes members from many countries, including Thailand. Its website (www.tpjc.org), Facebook page, and LINE groups help members stay in touch and welcome newcomers. In 2025, the community established a U.S. 501(c)(3) organization to receive tax-deductible donations and help support grant applications.
Looking ahead, TPJC hopes to expand Jewish educational opportunities for children as the number of young families in the community grows. With the dedication of its members, board, visiting clergy, and supporters—including WUPJ—TPJC looks forward to continuing to build warm, meaningful, and inclusive Jewish life in Thailand.
