OPENING WITH FANFARE: The Pirchey Jerusalem Boys Choir flew in from Israel to lend their voices to yesterday's opening of the Jacob Ballas Centre in Waterloo Street, which caters to a Jewish lifestyle. -- ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI

The extra kitchen is not for coping with a dinner rush. Rather, it is to fulfil Jewish food requirements, called kosher laws, which stipulate the separation of meat and milk, among other things.

In one kitchen, meals prepared contain meat but no milk, cheese, cream, or anything dairy. In the other, the opposite applies.

Awafi Restaurant is the first kosher eatery in Singapore, and the Jewish community considers it - together with the $10-million Jacob Ballas Centre in which it is housed - a significant development.

The centre, especially, is seen by Jews here as a symbol of the small community's commitment to Singapore.

Said Rabbi Mordechai Abergel, spiritual leader of the Jews here: 'What we have here is a testimony that the local community is engaged. We now have everything we need to lead a Jewish lifestyle.'

Israeli ambassador to Singapore Ilan Ben-Dov said the centre will play a 'pivotal role' in the community.

Ms Joan Bieder, 65, a US-based academic who has just written a book on the history of the Jewish community in Singapore, said the centre is a 'declaration from the community that they have a permanent stake in Singapore'.

The centre was officially opened by President S R Nathan yesterday, marking a milestone for the 800 or so Jews living in Singapore.

Also launched at the event was Ms Bieder's book, The Jews Of Singapore - the first to document the community's history.

In its foreword, President Nathan paid tribute to the Jews' contribution to nation-building, noting that they produced a 'chief minister, parliamentarian, several eminent lawyers and doctors, respected teachers and trade unionists'.

But in the over 150 years of recorded Jewish history in Singapore, the community has had its ups and downs, population-wise.

It hit a high of about 2,000 people before World War II, only to plunge to the brink of near non-existence after the conflict as Jews left Singapore in droves.

The numbers came back up again over the years to between 500 and 700 people, until the Asian financial crisis drove away about 200 of them.

Now, all signs point to another resurgence. What was between 200 and 400 Jews just five years ago has more than doubled to 800 today.

Further proof of this optimism can be seen in the facilities provided at the community centre, which is funded by the estate of former Jewish Welfare Board president, the late Mr Jacob Ballas.

On the second floor is an air-conditioned minimart, well-stocked with kosher foods, from ice cream to meats. The shop used to operate out of a container at the back of the synagogue in Waterloo Street.

Weeks before the centre's official opening, the sixth-floor restaurant was already packing them in, even on a Monday morning when this reporter was there.

On other floors are a banquet hall replacing an outdoor tent that the Jews used for their communal meals, a playground and a rooftop area for the community to 'hang out'.

The centre is the latest addition to the community's various facilities for pursuing a Jewish lifestyle.

Five minutes' drive away from the centre is a preschool in Oxley Rise for Jewish children. It has about 70 pupils, a sharp increase from the five who attended the first lessons 11 years ago at Rabbi Abergel's apartment.

There are plans to open a primary school as early as next year.

An old folk's home, set up in Wilkie Road, provides full care for its seven occupants - for free.

'From cradle to grave, the whole enchilada, we can now take care of the whole process,' said Mr Simcha Sharon, honorary secretary of the Jewish Welfare Board.

Much of the revival stems from the inflow of foreigners.

Of the 800 Jews here, Rabbi Abergel counts only 160 who are Singapore-born.

Many of the migrants are part of a new wave hitting Singapore, drawn by Asia's economic boom.

Mr Sharon recalled: 'When I first came here in 1980, my mother asked me, 'Where is the plane going to land?'

'Now she said there is nearly one news story about Singapore a day in Israel. It's no longer 'Where are you going?' but 'Wow, you're going to Singapore'.'

And unlike the previous waves, the current wave of newcomers is staying, said Rabbi Abergel.

'It used to be that there was no regeneration. We had a lot of old people, but the younger couples emigrated because they wanted a Jewish lifestyle, a Jewish education.

'This process has reversed. Now I meet more who are here for the long haul because we have been able to build up our capabilities here.'

Among those staying put is Mr Coby Schondorf, 34.

The vice-president of research and development at eyecare company Neurovision came here to work 31/2 years ago from Israel, bringing his wife and family.

While he was hesitant initially about coming here, he now said he has 'no intention of leaving anytime soon'.

'We now have facilities to fulfil all our needs. And the Jacob Ballas Centre gives us a real sense that we are established here. It gives us a proper identity and a greater sense of belonging to Singapore,' he said.

Systems engineer Maor Ben Shimol, 28, said he would not have considered coming to Singapore if not for the vibrant community here.

'I'm a religious man. If there wasn't any Jewish school or if there wasn't the support of the community, I wouldn't have come,' he said.

Mr Ben Shimol arrived six months ago with his wife and two children aged three and four.

The community expects more Mr Schondorfs and Mr Ben Shimols to turn up, especially with the opening of the two integrated resorts.

Said Mr Sharon: 'My guess, based on similar centres in the US, is that of the projected 30,000 people coming in to work in the IRs, you will have about 1,000 Jews.'

If he is right, the Jewish population will swell to pre-World War II numbers.

And that, said Rabbi Abergel, 'can only be a positive thing for the community'.

jeremyau@sph.com.sg