Asian Community Organizations & Cultural Centers in Israel (2026)

Israel is home to a large and varied Asian diaspora — Thai agricultural workers, Filipino caregivers, Japanese expats, Korean residents, Indian professionals and Bnei Israel Jews, Chinese students and entrepreneurs, and communities from across Southeast and South Asia. Behind this population sits a dense institutional layer: embassies, government cultural centers, diaspora associations, meditation centers, museums, and NGOs. Whether you need consular services, are looking for language classes, want to connect with a cultural community, or need workers’-rights support, there is an organization for it.

This guide maps the key institutions by category. For the full searchable listing, see our Asian businesses directory.

Embassies & Consulates

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Official diplomatic missions handle visas, citizenship documents, notarial services, and emergency consular support for their nationals.

Embassy of Japan in Israel — Tel Aviv
The Japanese embassy handles visas, citizen registration, and cultural diplomacy. The Japan Foundation programs and events are coordinated through this mission.
israel.emb-japan.go.jp

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Israel — Tel Aviv
Handles visas, citizen services, and coordinates with the Korean Cultural Center in Jerusalem on public cultural programming.
overseas.mofa.go.kr/il-en

Embassy of India in Israel — Tel Aviv
Manages consular services for Indian nationals and coordinates with the Indian Cultural Centre on cultural outreach.
indembassy.co.il

Royal Thai Embassy in Israel — Tel Aviv
Primary point of contact for Thailand’s large agricultural-worker community in Israel. Handles documentation, welfare support, and emergency consular services.
telaviv.thaiembassy.org

Embassy of the Philippines in Israel — Tel Aviv
Serves one of Israel’s largest foreign-worker communities. The embassy runs active labour-welfare programs alongside standard consular services.
telavivpe.dfa.gov.ph

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Israel — Tel Aviv
Taiwan’s de-facto diplomatic representation in Israel, handling all consular services in the absence of formal diplomatic ties.
roc-taiwan.org/il

Cultural Centers

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Government-funded cultural diplomacy institutions offering language classes, exhibitions, film screenings, and cultural events open to the public.

Korean Cultural Center in Israel (KCCIL) — Jerusalem
The most active Asian cultural center in Israel. KCCIL runs Korean-language courses from beginner to advanced levels, hosts K-Pop and K-drama events, and organises cultural workshops throughout the year. The annual K-Pop World Festival competition at Tel Aviv University is staged in coordination with the center.

📍 Ben Yehuda 2, Office 153, Jerusalem | kccil.org.il | @kccil_official | 02-624-2556

Indian Cultural Centre — Tel Aviv
A branch of India’s ICCR network, offering music workshops, classical dance performances, yoga classes, and Diwali celebrations. The center operates alongside the Indian embassy as the cultural arm of the Indian government’s presence in Israel.
iccr.gov.in/indian-cultural-centre/tel-aviv | @iccr_israel

Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art — Haifa
The only museum in Israel dedicated exclusively to Japanese art. Located in Haifa’s Carmel neighbourhood, it holds a permanent collection of prints, ceramics, and textile arts and runs a regular programme of temporary exhibitions, tea ceremonies, calligraphy workshops, and the annual Japan Day celebration.
tmja.org.il | 04-989-9566 (Wilfrid Israel Museum)

Wilfrid Israel Museum of Asian Art and Studies — Emek Yizrael Area
One of Israel’s oldest museums (founded 1951), dedicated to Asian and Eastern art. The collections span five thousand years of Japanese, Chinese, and Indian civilisation and are housed in Kibbutz HaZore’a.
wilfrid.org.il | @wilfridmuseum | 04-989-9566

Israel Museum — Asian Art Wing — Jerusalem
The national museum’s Asian art gallery covers five millennia of works from China, Japan, India, Korea, and Southeast Asia. Free admission for children and discounted for students.
imj.org.il/en/wings/arts/asian-art

Museum of Far Eastern Art — Ramat Gan
A smaller but significant collection of Chinese and Japanese art, including woodblock prints and ivory carvings.

Orshina Culture Space TLV — Tel Aviv
An immersive Japanese cultural venue in central Tel Aviv running tea ceremonies, Zen meditation, kimono-dressing sessions, Japanese food events, and butoh dance performances. More intimate and pop-up-driven than a conventional cultural center — check their feed for upcoming dates.
orshinatlv.com | @orshinatlv | 050-658-0534

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre — Tel Aviv
In operation since 1971, this is Israel’s oldest Indian cultural institution. More than a yoga studio — it functions as an urban ashram offering classical yoga, meditation, and Vedanta philosophy in the Sivananda tradition.
sivananda.co.il | @sivanandayogatlv | 03-691-6793

Annual Cultural Festivals

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Japan Month at Dizengoff Center — Tel Aviv
Israel’s largest annual Japanese cultural festival, held each spring at Dizengoff Center. The 2025 edition drew 700,000 visitors across a month of events: the Tokyo Market, cosplay competitions, karate demonstrations, workshops, and food. One of the most attended cultural events in the country.

Aki-no Japanese Film Festival — Jerusalem
An annual Japanese cinema event at the Jerusalem Cinematheque. The 2026 edition marks the festival’s tenth year, reflecting a decade of bringing contemporary and classic Japanese cinema to Israeli audiences.
jer-cin.org.il/aki-no

K-Pop World Festival Israel — Tel Aviv
An annual K-Pop performance competition at Tel Aviv University, organised by the Korean embassy. Israel’s winning act advances to the global final in South Korea.

Chinatown Asian Food Festival — Tel Aviv
An annual street-food festival at Sarona Market featuring vendors from across Asia: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino, and Indian cuisines alongside live chef demonstrations.

Shen Yun Performing Arts — Tel Aviv
The internationally touring Chinese classical dance and music production performs in Israel annually. Productions revive 5,000 years of Chinese cultural heritage through choreography, live orchestra, and traditional costumes.
il.shenyun.org

Japan Day at Tikotin Museum — Haifa
An annual open day at the Tikotin Museum featuring tea ceremony demonstrations, calligraphy workshops, and Japanese cultural activities for all ages.

Academic Institutions

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Bar-Ilan University Asia Studies Department — Ramat Gan
The most active academic department for Asian studies in Israel, offering undergraduate and graduate programmes in East Asian, South Asian, and Southeast Asian history, languages, and politics. Also runs a public lecture series.
biu.ac.il/field-of-study/tracks/13258 | @barilanuni_asia_studies | +972 3-531-8000

HUJI Japan Club — Jerusalem
The Japan studies student club at Hebrew University’s Mount Scopus campus. Organises Japanese tea ceremonies (chado), Asia Day events, anime conference attendance, and cultural talks.
@huji_japan

Community Associations

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Diaspora organisations run by community members for community members — social events, mutual support, cultural preservation.

Israel-Japan Friendship Society & Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1956, the oldest bilateral friendship organisation in Israel. Promotes cultural and commercial ties between Israel and Japan.
israel-japan.org

Japanese Community Exchange in Israel
A social and cultural exchange organisation for Japanese residents in Israel. Events, gatherings, and community support for Japanese expats.
facebook.com/japaneseinisrael

Israeli Association for Japanese Studies
The academic community for Japan scholars in Israel — conferences, seminars, and publications.
japan-studies.org

Korean Association in Israel
The primary community organisation for Israel’s approximately 500 Korean residents. Runs social and cultural programmes throughout the year.
israelhanin.org

Israel-China Friendship Society
Founded in 1992, this association promotes Israel–China cultural exchange through art, commerce, and academic cooperation.
israelchinafriendship.org

Association of Chinese in Israel
Supports Chinese citizens living in Israel — educational programmes for the children of Chinese nationals and volunteer cultural activities.

Association of Former Residents of China in Israel
A community organisation for Jews who lived in China, based at Beit Fonveh in Tel Aviv. Weekly social gatherings and cultural events preserve the memory of Jewish life in China.
jewsofchina.org

Sino-Israel Global Network & Academic Leadership (SIGNAL)
An academic platform analysing China–Israel relations, publishing research and commentary including analysis of Chinese media influence.
sino-israel.org

Taiwan Israel Chamber of Commerce
Promotes bilateral trade, technology, culture, education, and tourism between Taiwan and Israel.
ticc.org.tw

Federation of Filipino Communities in Israel
The umbrella body for all Filipino associations and groups in Israel, founded in 2002. Coordinates community events and advocacy.

Vietnamese Association in Israel
Formally established in March 2025, this association works to strengthen social cohesion among Vietnamese workers and residents in Israel.

National Union of Bene Israel Jews
Preserves the heritage of the Bene Israel community — India’s oldest Jewish community — through youth programmes, elder care, and cultural events.

India BaLev — Indian Origin Community Israel
Connects Israelis of Indian origin, promoting the deep cultural and historical links between India and Israel.

Bharatiya Gorkha Association Israel
Serves Israel’s Gorkha Indian community with cultural events, parades, and community celebrations.
facebook.com/groups/107225726534317

Israel-India Friendship Association
Promotes Israel–India cooperation in science, culture, education, and civil society.
facebook.com/groups/IIFRIENDS

Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce
A business network promoting Israel–Asia commercial relations through events, conferences, and networking.
israel-asia.org

Religious & Meditation Centers

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ISKCON Israel (Hare Krishna)
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness maintains centers across Israel: Tel Aviv (Ben Yehuda 22A), Haifa, Bat Yam, Petah Tikva, Be’er Sheva, Kiryat Gat, Ashkelon, Arad, and Eilat. Programs include bhakti yoga classes, Sanskrit studies, free vegetarian meals, and Vedic festivals.
iskcon.org.il | 050-717-7647

Diamond Way Buddhist Centers
The Karma Kagyu lineage maintains three Diamond Way centers in Israel: Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Be’er Sheva. Open to the public; regular meditation evenings and introductory courses.
karmapa.org/centers/country/israel

Dhamma Pamoda — Israel Vipassana Center — Near Tiberias
The official Goenka-lineage Vipassana center in Israel, located near Kibbutz Degania Bet in the Jordan Valley. Runs 10-day silent meditation retreats throughout the year, free of charge.
pamoda.dhamma.org

Newman Vipassana Center — Yavne’el, near Tiberias
A Buddhist meditation center practicing Vipassana in the Ajahn Tong tradition. Retreats and ongoing classes.
newmanvipassana.co.il

Tovana — Insight Meditation Israel
A non-profit teaching Vipassana and mindfulness in the Theravada tradition. Runs retreats across Israel and has a large community of practitioners.
tovana.org.il

Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) Israel
A Chinese spiritual practice combining meditation and qigong based on the principles of Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance. Registered association in Israel; practice groups meet in Yarkon Park and other locations.
he.falundafa.org

Torah in Chinese
An online global community of Chinese-speaking Jews and converts pioneering Torah study and practice in Mandarin — books, media, classes, and a community forum.
torahinchinese.org

NGOs & Support Organizations

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Sathya Sai Educare Israel — HaSharon
The Israel branch of the global Sathya Sai Organisation, offering education in human values, spiritual development, and community service inspired by Indian Vedic tradition.

Online Communities & Media

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Filipinos Working and Living in Israel
The main Facebook group for Filipino workers and residents in Israel — job listings, legal advice, community support, and event coordination. One of the most active Filipino community spaces in the country.
facebook.com/groups/839099479563042

Israel Mega — 以色列美角
A Taiwanese content creator covering Israel for Chinese-speaking audiences — over 32,000 followers and more than 1,000 pieces of Israel content in Chinese. A key bridge between Israel and the Taiwanese/Chinese-speaking world.
facebook.com/israeltravelmega

China Radio International — Hebrew Service
CRI’s Hebrew-language broadcasts and online presence in Israel, launched in 2009. Includes “Itzik the Chinese” — a Chinese correspondent who speaks fluent Hebrew and produces content about China for Israeli audiences.

Israeli Chinese Medicine Association
The professional association for traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in Israel.
tcmisrael.org

Quick Reference: Who to Contact for What

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For the full directory of Asian-community businesses, organizations, restaurants, and services across Israel, see asiansinisrael.com/directory/.