Shabbat Times in Shenzhen

Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, begins at sunset on Friday and ends after nightfall on Saturday. In Shenzhen, candle lighting is performed 18 minutes before sunset, following local communal custom. Havdalah, the ceremony that concludes Shabbat, is recited after nightfall (tzait haKochavim, when three medium-sized stars are visible). We display the 72-minute opinion by default; the 8.5° (GRA) opinion corresponds to approximately 36 minutes after sunset at equinox, and 16.1° (Rabbeinu Tam) to approximately 72 minutes.

The weekly Torah portion (Parashat HaShavua) this week is Bereshis, read in synagogues across Shenzhen on Shabbat morning.

The blessing recited when lighting Shabbat candles (Hadlakat Nerot) is one of the most cherished rituals welcoming the Sabbath. It is traditionally recited after lighting the candles, waving the hands over the flames in a welcoming gesture, and covering the eyes — so that the blessing precedes the act of enjoying the light.

In Shenzhen, candles are lit 18 minutes before sunset — at 17:46 this week. The minimum is one candle, though many families light two (representing “Shamor” and “Zachor”, the two words used in the Torah to command Shabbat observance), and some add a candle for each member of the household. Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 263.

Shenzhen's Jewish life centers on Chabad of Shenzhen in the Shekou area (Nanshan District), active for roughly two decades. The center keeps its synagogue open around the clock, runs Shabbat services and meals, and prepares kosher food by order — a practical lifeline for the city's many Israeli and Jewish tech and trade professionals.

The community swells with business visitors; a second Chabad point operates downtown (Bao'an area). As everywhere in China, there is no history of local antisemitism and visitors typically find a warm welcome.

• Chabad Shenzhen (Shekou): synagogue open 24/7, Shabbat meals
• Kosher food by order; mikvah on site
• Additional Chabad point in downtown Shenzhen
• Candle-lighting offset: 18 minutes before sunset

Planning a Shabbat in Shenzhen? Check the full-year Shabbat schedule for Shenzhen and the daily Zmanim. Community details above reflect publicly listed centers and may change — contact the centers directly for current schedules and kosher arrangements.