12 Points East

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The Sino-Judaic Institute is a non-denominational, non-profit, and non-political organization, founded on June 27, 1985, in Palo Alto, California, by an international group of scholars and lay Vol. 25 No. 3 A Publication of the Sino-Judaic Institute persons, to promote friendship and understanding between the Chinese and Jewish peoples and to November 2010 encourage and develop their cooperation in matters of mutual historical and cultural interest. Its objectives are: EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF SUKKOT IN 1) The study of the ancient Jewish community of Kaifeng and assisting its descendents as appropriate. THE SJI MANAGING BOARD MEETING KAIFENG, 2) The study of Jewish life in Shanghai, Harbin, Tianjin and elsewhere in the 19th and 20th centuries. SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, by Eran Barzilay JUNE 27, 2010 3) The support of Jewish studies programs in China. Board Members Present: Anson Laytner, President; Arnie Belzer, My name is Eran Barzilay. I came to China six months ago, 4) The study of cultural intersections between Chinese and , for example adoptions, literature, Vice President; Steve Hochstadt, Treasurer; Ondi Lingenfelter, because I wanted to travel for some time and, during that time, diasporas, etc. Secretary; Wendy Abraham, Archivist and CIO; Ronald Kaye, to find a good place to study the Chinese language—I had Board Member already studied Chinese during my B.A studies at Hebrew Uni- 5) The study of Sino-Israeli relations. versity in Jerusalem. 1. Situation in Kaifeng 6) To cooperate with other groups whose interests lie in Sinitic and Judaic matters. Hochstadt recently visited Shanghai, Nanjing and Kaifeng and During my travels, I met Or, an Israeli who traveled for more gave talks at academic institutions in each city. He reported then two years in China, and he told me about his great expe- that the university programs in those cities appear well sup- riences in Kaifeng. I kept thoughts of Kaifeng in my mind for Membership in the Institute is open and we cordially invite you to join in supporting our endeavor. ported but also recommended that SJI continue to support them. some time, and I eventually went to see what was so special Our annual dues structure is as follows: He also visited the Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum (in about this place. I can say that it took me less than one day to Hongkou, Shanghai) and thought we should consider support- understand what it was all about. ing it. We also want it more accessible to Chinese visitors. Benefactor ...... $1,000 We decided that, in order to fund it, we need to look into Patron...... 500 reporting and PRC regulations concerning non-profits. Corporate Patron ...... 500 Hochstadt also visited the Jewish descendants in Kaifeng. Eric Corporate Sponsor ...... 250 to 499 Rothberg (a 24 year-old from Minnesota) was teaching Hebrew Corporate Member ...... 250 to 499 there at Yisilie school and studying Asian studies at Henan University. Shi Lei is away a lot with his travel business and Sponsor ...... 100 not that present in town. Faculty in Jewish Studies at Henan U Regular Member ...... 50 maintains a distance from the descendants. The descendants Libraries ...... 50 would like Jewish texts translated from Hebrew into Chinese. Internally, the descendants are grouped into roughly six fluid Academic ...... 30 and overlapping factions/groups Senior Citizens ...... 25 Abraham, who had visited and interviewed some descendants Students ...... 25 in the 1980s, wrote their oral history and donated transcrip- tions to the Hoover archives, suggested a reunion of descen- The thing that is so special about this city is its Jewish com- dants in their grandparents’ honor, many of whom contributed munity. From the first day I arrived in Kaifeng, this commu- I wish to become a member of the Sino-Judaic Institute and receive Points East three times a year. Enclosed is to her oral history, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of nity treated me like I was one of their sons, and I have become my check for $ . the oral histories. part of this wonderful family. Two weeks after I came here and met this community, I decided to stay and study at Henan PLEASE PRINT Concerning the Yisilie School (YSL): Timothy Lerner, by all University, so that I could stay in Kaifeng and keep on with accounts an American messianic Jew, continues to maintain a what I began here. A few days after I first arrived, I became Name: strong presence in Kaifeng and returns there regularly. On the their teacher of Hebrew and Judaism. positive side, Lerner set up the school and did a good job in Address: organizing the community and beginning their education with As for the holidays, I celebrated Sukkot with them, and I can weekly meetings on Shabbat, offering Hebrew classes and cel- tell you for sure that it was one of my best holidays ever. As I Home Phone: Work Phone: ebrating holidays. Gradually, Rothberg learned more about wrote in my journal, “if you came all the way to China and the backers of the school, that the Hong Kong branch of the only met this amazing community and celebrated Sukkot with Fax: E-Mail: Society for the Promotion of Among Jews them, then it was all worth it”. Mail to: The Sino-Judaic Institute, Prof. Steve Hochstadt, Dept. of History, Illinois College, (continued on page 4) (continued on page 5)

1101 West College Ave, Jacksonville IL 62650

(continued on page 6) 2 Points East Points East 11

TABLE OF CONTENTS Points East FROM THE EDITOR Anson Laytner, Publisher BOOK NOOK  Featured Article: If there ever are historians who choose to Points East is published by the Sino-Judaic Excerpts from Minutes of study the back issues of Points East, they Institute, a tax-exempt, non-profit organization. Through the Jade Gate to Rome: A John Hill’s scholarship is likewise a won- understatement as subtitle on the cover, The opinions and views expressed by the SJI Managing Board Meeting .... 1 will be able to trace certain major events, contributors and editor are their own and do Study of the Silk Routes during the der to behold and enjoy. His detailed and as “An annotated translation of the Sukkot in Kaifeng, China ...... 1 like the establishment of China- re- not necessarily express the viewpoints and Later Han Dynasty 1st to 2nd Cen- always informative notes are a pleasure Chronicle of the ‘Western Regions in the lations or the TianAnMen massacre, positions of the Sino-Judaic Institute. turies CE (Paperback) by John E. Hill. to read, and the book should serve as an Hou Hanshu,” The author provides his through our pages. They will also occa- Booksurge, Charleston, SC (Booksurge is example to all of how one properly goes reader with nearly 600 pages of some of From the Editor ...... 2 sionally be able to trace events in the lives Letters to the Editor and articles for Points East may be sent to: now renamed Createspace and owned by about translating and presenting a pri- the most thorough documentation, com- In the Field ...... 3 of our leading members, Prof. Xu Xin’s aneurism and miraculous recovery for ex- Amazon.com), 2009. 714 pages. mary source to a mixed audience. It can parative analysis and appendices, I have To the Editor...... 4 Preferred Form: ample. Now I will add one of my own. e-mail:[email protected] and should be purchased and read not ever read! For two weeks of nearly con- or to: Rabbi Anson Laytner 1. Reviewed by Alfred J. Andrea, Emeri- only by every professional scholar who stant work, comparing the text with my Articles: This issue is coming out late because my 1823 East Prospect St. tus Professor of World History, Univer- focuses on the Silk Road and related phe- own notes and learning vastly from the wife, Merrily, was dying of ovarian can- Seattle, WA 98112-3307 Seminar for sity of Vermont nomena but also by any interested per- author’s erudition, I have had one of the Chinese Scholars ...... 5 cer. Sadly, she passed away on October 24th. With my time freed up from care- Points East is published three son who wants to know more about the most satisfying intellectual experiences times a year, in March, July An Interview with China’s giving and work and worrying, I was fi- This book arrived several days ago, and I Silk Road during its first great period of of recent decades. The richness of the Ambassador to Israel ...... 6 nally able to edit Points East, volume 25, and November. devoured it in a single sitting, despite its efflorescence. Happily, in this day of intellectual fabric from which the book Deadlines for submitting Kaifeng Students in Israel ...... 7 #3. material to be included in these 689 pages, largely composed of thor- greatly inflated book prices, its modest is woven is a nearly exhaustive survey of A Second Sugihara? Tatsuo Osaka .... 8 issues are January 15th, oughly researched notes and an extensive price puts it within easy reach. the literature and relevant documents. Perhaps it was coincidence but this was May 15th and September 15th. (and comprehensive) bibliography. An Simply stated, if anyone is interested in Papers for Young also the first time in 25 years that I had to annotated translation (with accompany- Scholars Forum ...... 9 scramble to find enough material to fill 2. Reviewed by Dr. Raoul McLaughlin, any aspect of inner during the pe- FINANCIAL REPORT AVAILABLE The Best Years of Her Life ...... 10 the issue. Usually I have more articles ing Chinese text) of the second-century Belfast. riod for ca 200 BCE to ca 200 CE, you than I can use. So, this issue may be a SJI members interested in receiving a CE Hou Hanshu, also known as the literally cannot avoid this book! copy of the annual financial report should little sparser than usual but—just so you “Chronicle on the Western Regions,” this I highly recommend this study to anyone Book Nook ...... 11 send a self-addressed envelope to: Steve don’t complain—the previous issue was Hochstadt, Treasurer of the Sino-Judaic important source from the period of the who wants to have a greater perspective About the author: John E. Hill was humongous by our standards. Institute, Illinois College, 1101 W Col- late Han Dynasty contains highly detailed on the Roman Empire and gain a better born in Montréal, Canada in 1943 and lege Ave., Jacksonville IL 62650. Anson Laytner accounts of such far-away lands as In- appreciation of ancient civilization. This raised in Port of Spain, Trinidad. In 1964, dia, Parthian Persia, and even the Roman book is a highly authoritative and very he moved to Australia and graduated as SJI MEMBERSHIP The Sino-Judaic Institute Empire. To my amazement—and I have readable account of the ancient world that a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in Sydney, Rabbi Anson Laytner 1823 East Prospect St. spent over 4 decades studying cultural connected China and Rome… 1967. Hill lived for more than three years Country Total “The Jews of Kaifeng” Seattle WA 98112-3307 interchange across the so-called Silk in and has travelled extensively in • 185 Could Visit Your Community North American Managing Board Road—it describes a Roman embassy to For the academic or serious amateur Asia. He is an independent scholar, fas- China 22 Anson Laytner, President; Arnie Belzer, the Han court that was dispatched by whose interests lie in the difficult and cinated by the exchange of peoples, cul- The Sino-Judaic Institute’s Vice-president; Steve Hochstadt, Treasurer; Israel 14 Emperor Marcus Aurelius (r. 161-180) controversial areas of Central Asia dur- tures, religions and trade between Asia, exhibit is a hit wherever it goes! Ondi Lingenfelter, Secretary. Wendy Canada 11 Abraham, Shelly Ehrlich, Joel Epstein, Bev and arrived in China in 166, by way of ing the Former Han and Later Han, this Europe and Africa since his youth. He England 8 Friend, Seth Garz, Mary-Anne Graham, Len Southeast Asia. is an utterly indispensable volume. The Educational ~ A great community re- Hew, Ron Kaye, Dana Leventhal, Den began this book in 1979 while living in Australia 6 lations bridge between Jews and Leventhal, David Marshall, Lily Yuan author has translated the “Chronicle India and continued gathering informa- Germany 2 Asians ~ Unique programming and Ninburg, Art Rosen, Vera Schwarz, Tibi This source is so important that I intend Western Regions” chapter of the Hou tion, communicating with historians and Weisz, Albert Yee. public relations opportunities for all to incorporate excerpts from it in the forth- 2 International Board Record, Hanshu (History of the Later [or Eastern] other specialists around the world ever 1 age groups ~ Complementary mate- Mark Cohen, Irene Eber, Avrum Ehrlich, coming 7th edition of The Human Han dynasty”) in a Chinese text with trans- since. He now lives on a remote prop- rials and speakers available ~ Afford- Judy Green, Teddy Kaufman, Michael Li, Indonesia 1 Maisie Meyer, Mark Michaelson, Sonja Volume I. Quite simply, un- lation format for the first 59 pages of the erty in tropical far north Queensland, able ~ Easy to install ~ South Africa 1 Muehlberger, Gustavo Perednik, Yitzhak dergraduate students of world history volume (even page number in Chinese Australia, over 300 km from the nearest Shichor, Elyse Silverberg, David Zweig. Switzerland 1 For scheduling information, Advisory Board need to become acquainted with it and odd page numbers in English) for a total traffic lights—but he does have email: Taiwan 1 please contact: Jan Berris, Fu Youde, Jonathan Goldstein, the rich body of new insights that it of- of 28 pages for each language. The trans- [email protected]. Rabbi Arnie Belzer Jerry Gotel, Pan Guang, Tess Johnston, fers any and all who are interested in the lation reads well and seems at first read- P.O. Box 816 Rena Krasno, Donald Leslie, Andrew Plaks, TOTAL: Savannah, GA 31402 Shi Lei, Josh Stampfer, Marvin Tokayer, long-distance interchange that occurred ing very well considered and thoroughly TOTAL: Shalom Wald, Xiao Xian, Xu Xin, 255 912 233 1547 Zhang Qianhong. across Afro-Eurasia more than 1,000 years useful. But what follows is astonishing! [email protected] Past Presidents before Marco Polo. Self-described in an extremely subtle Al Dien, Leo Gabow 10 Points East Points East 3 Sarah and her family moved to China the presidential residence. from Russia in 1915 when she was one “The Jews of Kaifeng” IN THE FIELD year old. Her father was a horse-breeder They photographed the first five Israeli Could Visit Your Community and trainer, a skill that helped the family presidents. “It was very, very interest-  Update from Center of Judaic  Prof. Xu Xin’s Triumphant - February 25 and 27: Glencoe, IL The Sino-Judaic Institute’s to settle and prosper in their new home. ing. They are people who are now like a and Chinese Studies at SISU Return - Congregation Hakafa Prof. Xu Xin, now fully recovered exhibit is a hit wherever it goes! legend,” Sarah says. Prof. Fu Xiaowei reports that the - March 1: Los Angeles, Cal State, Ross grew up in Harbin, a city in north- Center was approved to be the one from his aneurism of several years Norridge ago, is making a major tour of the Educational ~ A great community rela- east China, where she met and married of the few key institutes of the Uni- Her photos show a panoply of world lead- United States and a bit of Canada tions bridge between Jews and Asians versity and is working closely with For further information, visit http:/ her husband, a Russian Jew born in ers that visited Israel, both in war and too. His visit is being arranged by ~ Unique programming and public re- the School of International Relations /www.kulanu.org/china/ lations opportunities for all age groups Harbin. After that, the couple spent an peacetime. Many of the pictures catch the China Judaic Studies Association kaifengtour2011.php and for up- to start its Israeli studies program, the ~ Complementary materials and speak- event-filled decade in Shanghai until they the officials at ease and at unrehearsed and his schedule to date is as fol- dates, go to: http:// ers available ~ Affordable ~ Easy to partner being the Department of the lows: moved to Jerusalem. moments, a sign of Sarah’s photographic calendar.yahoo.com/YYY,661a65/ install ~ Interdisciplinary Program at Bar Ilan. - Chicago area, October 27 – srt,0/kulanuevents/ skill. It is part of CIAI (China Israel Aca- November 7 ?v=2&t=1296547200 For scheduling information, “ Some of her statues have been chipped demic Initiative) launched by Carice - Michigan, November 7 – 9 please contact: and broken over the six decades, but she Rabbi Arnie Belzer Sarah recalls one occasion soon after she Witte, President of Yale Alumni Club - Ohio, November14 – 17  Tibi Talks P.O. Box 816 keeps them anyway. They are like old began taking photographs. An official in Israel. Prof. Fu further reports that, - Toronto/Hamilton, Ontario, SJI Board Member Tibi Weisz was Savannah, GA 31402 friends to her, who have shared the same watching her covering an event was im- since the Center is now in the school Canada, November 21 – 29 interviewed by the Jewish Times 912 233 1547 travails. of International Relations at SISU, - Rhode Island, November 30 – Asia. His interview (Sept 2010) is pressed by her abilities behind the lens December 3 [email protected] they plan to focus on Middle East online: www.jewishtimesasia.org and asked, “Hey, newcomer, where are - New York and New Jersey, “You see, it still is very beautiful,” she Studies, with an emphasis on Sino- you from?” December 4 – 18  Shanghai Jewish Tombstones Israel and Sino-American relations. says as she gently handles a tiny, cracked - Boston, Massachusetts, Dr. Harvey Rosenwasser, self-de- The Best Years of Her Life The school will be the first to train blue-glazed lion, “they are just old, like “I am from China! From Shanghai!” Sa- December 19 – 22 scribed as Ruth Rosenwasser’s hus- by Dave Bender, Hao Fangjia undergraduate students in this orien- - Washington D.C., me”… rah smiled and proudly replied. band, of Key Biscayne, Florida excerpted from Xinhuanet, 5 May 2010 tation and it intends to send students December 24 – January 3 alerted former SJI president Al Dien to Israel for short-term training or for - Colorado, January 4 – 9 “In China, we lived safely,” Sarah sum- of the existence on Youtube of a Sarah Ross, a 96-year-old Jerusalem citi- Her Chinese connection again came to advanced studies in international re- - California, January 10 -18 video of Dvir Bar Gal’s Jewish tomb- marizes the war years. She notes that the zen, is eyewitness to the birth of two the fore when she was tasked with pho- lations, such as Hebrew University - Florida, January 19 -20 & 27 stone project. The URL is: http:// modern nations, both led by ancient Chinese welcomed the Jewish refugees, tographing the first Chinese ambassador and Tel Aviv University. - Tennessee, January 23 – 25 www..com/ - Seattle, Washington, peoples: China and Israel. and that she and her family felt at home to Israel, Lin Zhen. She says her heart watch?v=yczEW9feT_M January 29 – 31 in her adopted country. The University library decided to set was pounding in expectation. - Pennsylvania February 7 – 10 up a section for Jewish/ Israeli books  First Seminar for Chinese Edu- She grew up as a Jewish refugee in Shang- - Kansas February 17 – 18 and has ordered a group of books cators Opens at Yad Vashem, hai during World War II, and has lived Shanghai took in 30,000 Jewish refugees “I was happy, and I told my husband, ‘I - Washington D.C., amounting to 84800RMB, including Israel in Israel since 1948. who managed to escape the Nazi on- am going to take that photograph,’” she February 1 – March 15. the Encyclopedia Judaica. SJI’s grant Some twenty Chinese educators are slaught - more than Canada, Australia, recalls, showing off a personal photo of Fellow at the U.S. Holocaust was used to buy books or reference Memorial Museum. participating in a 2-week seminar New Zealand, South Africa and India her and the ambassador, encased in an Sarah’s experiences symbolize a hardy materials that the library failed to buy at Yad Vashem’s International combined. connection between the two countries. ornate frame in her living room. through its usual channel. For more information, go to: http:// School for Holocaust Studies that On the walls and in the cabinets of her www.oakton.edu/user/~friend/ opened October 4, 2010. The first Sarah would have had numerous occa- of its kind seminar brings together tidy, simple home, her extensive collec- When she later presented Lin Zhen with The Center and the Sichuan Arts and chinajews.html or contact Beverly participants from China, Hong tion of Chinese furniture, wall-hangings sions to meet many people from around the photos, she wrote on the back of one Literature Publishing House have Friend at [email protected] Kong and Macau, for in-depth study and paintings, vases and small statues the world in her role as an agent of pho- of them, “I never dreamed that, after 30 agreed to co-publish a series of Jew-  Shi Lei Returns to America of the Holocaust and how to teach tography studio. ish culture under a translation pro- embody her memories of life in Shang- years, I would photograph the ambassa- Kulanu again is sponsoring a lecture it in the classroom. hai. dor of the country where I happily lived gram that has been funded by Rabbi series by Kaifeng resident Shi Lei, She gained practical experience at the all my life!” Marvin Tokayer. The first four books who will present the fascinating story Dr. Lihong Song, of Nanjing photo agency, skills that would serve her are Resurrection: The Power of God of the Kaifeng Jews - including cur- University’s Institute of Jewish Sarah sits in her wheelchair and watches Slayers of Moses for Christians and Jews by Kevin J. rent developments — to U.S. audi- the dimming of the day from her bed- well in the near future. Studies, helped organize the trip of Madigan and Jon D. Levenson, The ences between February 15 and Chinese educators on the Chinese room window. She wears an embroi- Rabbinic Interpretation in Modern March 7, 2011. After the war ended, Sarah and her hus- Readers: Visit our improved and : The Emergence of side. dered green satin Chinese robe, which greatly expanded website: www.sino- Literary Theory band began working as photographers. reminds her of her days in Shanghai. judaic.org. by Susan Handelman, His schedule, as of Oct 15, 2010, is While at Yad Vashem participants SJI Members: Email info@sino- Answers to the Questions about Jew- as follows: tour the Holocaust History Museum, The couple continued their nascent ca- judaic.org to receive the user name and - February 15: New York – “The best years of my life I spent in China, ish Culture by Ruth Wisse, and Valley of the Communities, and password needed to access the “mem- 92nd Street Y because people accepted us in a very reers after moving to Israel. In a lucky Kabbalah and Criticism by Harold other sites at Yad Vashem, and have bers only” section. - February 17: Broomall, PA – stroke, both were soon hired by the Is- the opportunity to hear from top friendly way,” Sarah recalls, smiling, of Bloom. Lastly, Prof. Fu’s translation Temple Sholom raeli government to photograph events at her early years. of I.B. Singer’s In My Father’s Court - February 20: Harrisonberg, VA – educators and historians about vari- came out in April. Beth El Congregation ous topics related to the Holocaust. 4 Points East Points East 9

Anti-Semitism, the ‘Final Solution’, Excerpts SJI Managing Board 2. New Ideas on ships that took them across the Sea The Occupational Status and Eco- China’s National Security the Allies and the Holocaust, the Meeting, June 27, 2010 Abraham proposed SJI provide some fund- of Japan to the island nation. nomic Situation of Germany Jews By Luo Ailing, Associate Professor, the Righteous Among the Nations, the ing to the Home of Hope Orphanage that in 1933 Center of Jewish Studies Shanghai (CJSS) uniqueness of the Holocaust, and (continued from page 1) Most would then go on to the port cit- will be opened in Kaifeng by a charity By Luo Henglin, Professor, Department Yad Vashem’s pedagogical approach supported it and that there was some that already has several orphanages in ies of and Yokohama and try to to Holocaust education and presen- arrange passage onward. of History, Hunan Normal University The Evolution of Anti-Semitism in Christian proselytizing, but not much. China. The orphanage is sorely needed tations of specific educational re- Musilm World of Middle East Rothberg thinks that Lerner succeeded sources, will be among the issues as AIDS crisis has hit Henan especially ‘Sugihara has been praised around the On Judaism’s Dilemma to Conver- By Wang Zheng, Assistant Professor, the presented during the seminar. Par- because he could get children of descen- hard. Her idea is that the orphanage world and is held in very high esteem, sion Center of Jewish Studies Shanghai (CJSS) ticipants will also meet Holocaust dants to Israel for a better life. He man- would hire a number of Kaifeng Jewish but Mr Sugihara’s great actions were sup- By Wang Yan, Lecturer, the Center of aged to get a group of Kaifeng women to descendants and SJI funding would be survivors and tour Jerusalem, Tel Aviv ported by various individuals working Judaism and Comparative Religious Stud- The Jewish Community in Iran and Israel with the help of Finnish fundamen- used to cover their salaries. and other areas in Israel. unseen, in his shadow, and I’d like Mr ies, Shandong University the Iran-Israel Relationship talist Christians. Osako’s experiences to be known,’ said By Zhang Yinan, Research Fellow, The See related article “Yad Vashem Although Home of Hope is run by a researcher Kitade. Grossman, Holocaust Literature Center of Jewish Studies Shanghai (CJSS) Seminar for Chinese Scholars” Shi Lei has distanced himself from YSL, Christian group, Abraham expressed con- and Jewish Identity in this issue, page 5. but hasn’t organized meetings himself or fidence based on her contact with them The messages on the photos given to By Zhong Zhiqing, Associate Professor, The Kidnapped People: Arabian El- revived his school group. that they are not doing missionary work Osako are in languages that reflect the he Kidnapped People: Arabian El- Nazi advance through Europe: German, but are motivated by the desire to serve. Institute of Foreign Literature Studies, ements of Palestinian Refugee Prob- Polish, Norwegian, French. Because of Christian and Messianic ties, She suggested SJI look into getting sup- The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, lem TO THE EDITOR By Yang Jun, Lecturer, Department of Rothberg split off from YSL and set up a port for ongoing orphanage work from a Kitade said the images left a strong im- separate school. Most of the YSL group number of foundations and from Jewish A Review of Zionism Movement History, Shanghai University I am interested in helping my daughter pression on him. went with him and it is now hoped that families who have adopted Chinese chil- in Harbin find information about her great grand- this school, Beit Tikvah, and Shi Lei’s dren. She thought that $10,000 annually ‘It was 70 years ago, so the people in By Han Tianyan, Associate Professor, ILAN PAPPE and His “A History of parents on her father’s side, who lived in group will begin working together. would enable the orphanage to hire, train the pictures may no longer be alive, but The Center of Jewish Studies in Harbin Modern Palestine: One Land, Two Harbin. According to her grandmother, and support 5 descendants as orphanage if possible, somehow I’d like to find People”, A Review on the New His- Eva Krongouz, who was born in Harbin Recommendations: staff. even their families and show them,’ he Russian Jewish Immigrants and Ag- torian in Israel in 1921, and came to the United States 1. That SJI continue funding educational said… ricultural Settlements in Israel By Wang Jian, Professor, The Center of in 1948, her father, Jacob Krongouz died work in Kaifeng and specifically the Beit This sparked a brainstorming session, By Xiao Hong, Assistant Professor, The Jewish Studies Shanghai (CJSS) in Harbin in 1938 or 1939. Is there a Tikvah School based on annual grant re- whose ideas included: sending a few of Papers Contributed to First Center of Jewish Studies in Harbin way to find out if he is buried in quests and progress reports. (The same the descendants to Shanghai for the Expo, American Jewish Theology: A Huangshan Jewish Cemetery? If he is not would apply to Shi Lei’s group.) sending young descendants on Birthright Young Scholars Forum on A Comparative Study on the Per- Marginalized Science On God there, what happened to the gravesites Israel trips, working with the Joint Dis- Jewish Studies ception of Zionism of BERLIN and By Liu Ping, Associate Professor, Depart- 2. That SJI partner with other Diaspora of the people who were not moved to tribution Committee to get Jewish holi- AREBDT ment of Religion Studies, Fudan Univer- Jewish organizations (Kulanu and Shavei day items donated to the descendants, the new cemetery site? Are there records The Center of Jewish Studies Shanghai By Sheng Wenqing, Assistant Professor, sity Israel) to encourage the groups in Kaifeng and contacting American Jewish World existing of birth, marriage, death and hosted a “Young Scholars Forum” on The Center of Jewish Studies Shanghai to work together, and to try to send young Service about having a volunteer placed immigration? I know that Jacob Krongouz August 15-16, 2010 in Shanghai. The (CJSS) Mordecai M. Kaplan and American descendants to Israel for visits on Birth- in Kaifeng. following papers were presented by schol- Judaism came to Harbin from the Ukraine in ap- right Israel trips. ars from a variety of Chinese Jewish Stud- From “Insular Psychology” to “In- By Hu Hao, Lecturer, Department of His- proximately 1910. He met and married However the idea of convening an inter- ies programs. sular Culture”: An Analysis on the tory, Henan University his wife, Leah Levitsky in Harbin. Also 3. Finding a replacement teacher for national conference on Jews and Jewish Social Psychology of Israel buried in Harbin are Peretz Leitsky and Rothberg must be an SJI priority if Beit Studies in China generated the most en- Persian Empire’s Policy on Yehud By Feng Jihua, Assistant Professor, Insti- Conservative Judaism and Zionist his wife, Pessia, the parents of Leah Tikvah School is to flourish and serve as thusiasm. The kernel of the idea is to and Its Impacts tute of Western Asia and Africa, the Movement in U.S. Levitsky. Anyone with the Levitsky or a serious alternative to Lerner’s activities. bring scholars and students from all the By Meng Zhenghua, Lecturer, Depart- Chinese Academy of Social Sciences By Liu Jinzhong, Professor, The Depart- Krongouz name were probably relatives This is a priority for SJI. We set our- Jewish studies programs in China together ment of Religion Studies, Nanjing Uni- ment of Philosophy, Nanchang Univer- and information would be most wel- selves the goal of finding a Chinese-speak- with their counterparts from around the ing, Jewishly-knowledgeable Jew who versity A Review on the Relationship be- sity, come. Eva Krongouz (Elizabeth McCoy) world. It was suggested that SJI fund 7 can teach and lead the descendants, to scholars from China to come and tween Israel and Turkey is currently living in Los Angeles and has live in Kaifeng and study at Henan Uni- present—one for each of the 7 Kaifeng On Jewish Women and By Liu Jun, Lecturer, College of Interna- On Left-wing Radicalism of Ameri- fond memories of her years as a child versity. If that proves too difficult, then Jewish surnames. Moneylending in Medieval Europe tional Studies, Yunnan University can Jews and young woman living in Harbin. locating someone who could teach them By Zhang Shuqing, Professor, Department By Tang Lixin, Lecturer, School of Foreign via Skype. There was discussion of the best venue, of History, Ludong University Politics of Naming: Israel’s Ideo- Languages, Shenzhen University, Thanks you for any help you can give in both in the US and China. We decided logical Struggle over Toponym guiding us on our search for roots in 4. That SJI establish official liaisons with to move forward on organizing the con- A Study of Jewish Education in By Wang Yan, Associate Professor, De- Why Jews Succeed in American the Kaifeng community. Since Abraham ference in the Bay Area. Possible host Harbin. German Jewish Enlightenment partment of Western Literature, Politics? A Comprehensive Interpre- and Lingenfelter both are proficient in institutions are: University of San Fran- Movement Foreign Studies University tation Chinese, they agreed to write Beit Tikvah cisco, Ricci Center; University of Cali- Sincerely, By Zhang Ligang, Associate Professor, contacts in Chinese and keep the Board fornia, Berkeley; and Stanford University. By Wang Shuming, Assistant Professor, Rita Elegant apprised of the situation there through Abraham has contacts at USF and she Department of History, Henan Univer- The Enhancing of Israel-India Re- The Center of Jewish Studies Shanghai [email protected] their correspondence. agreed to approach it first. After deter- sity lationship and Its Impact to (CJSS) 8 Points East Points East 5 A Second Sugihara? Tatsuo early days of the war… mining the host institution, other uni- Conclusion: We need to raise more Yad Vashem Seminar for Osako versities would be approached to act as money in order to keep funding programs. Osako He was one of a handful of diplomats co-sponsors. Chinese Scholars excerpted from http://i.dailymail.co.uk/ such as Sweden’s Raoul Wallenberg and by Yair Ettinger 18 October 2010 Hiram Bingham IV of the U.S. who used excerpted from Haartez, 6 October 2010 3. Publications their bureaucratic machinery, often with- Judaica Introduce a friend to SJI Laytner mentioned two monographs that A former Japanese Tourist Bureau helper’s out their government’s knowledge, to is- by giving a free copy of Yad Vashem is hosting its first-ever semi- SJI might publish as part of a revived Sino- 70-year-old diary has sparked an interna- sue the paperwork that would get Jews Points East. nar for Chinese Holocaust scholars, who tional search after it was discovered to to safety. series: Simply send an email to toured the Holocaust museum in Jerusa- contain photographs of supposedly Jew- a) The Theology of the Kaifeng Jews, by [email protected] lem yesterday and said China should be ish men and women he helped escape Dubbed the ‘Japanese Schindler’, Prof. Jordan Paper of Victoria, Canada and a sample will be sent. the Nazis… prouder of its role in saving Jewish lives… Sugihara was honoured in 1985 by Yad b)Jews Jewish of KaifengReligious China, Observance by the Vashem as one of the Righteous Among recalled. “After this [conversion], I want by Rabbi Dr. One of the photos shows a young man’s the Nations, a high honour reserved for The delegation, composed of China’s to learn more about Israel — I want to Chaim Simons of Kiryat Arba, Israel Sukkot in Kaifeng China monochrome portrait and although faded, non-Jews who saved Jews at their own leading Holocaust scholars, includes learn more and more and more.” it is still clear he had style. His hair is (continued from page 1) personal risk from the Holocaust, Hitler’s It was agreed that electronic publishing teachers and lecturers. slicked down, eye arched, suit perfect destruction of six million Jews. would be the preferred route to go since With the exception of their language with matching tie and handkerchief… it requires little money upfront and books Several of them voiced admiration for classes, their studies have been in En- A short movie about him, ‘Visas and glish, which they all speak fluently. The photo, a gift to the man who helped Virtue’, won an Academy Award in 1997. are published only on demand. Tibi Weiss Feng Shan Ho, the Chinese in him escape, is one of seven recently dis- Museums at his home town and in of the SJI Board and Nathan Katz of Indo- Austria in the late 1930s, who was the Their take on Judaism and on life in Is- covered snapshots that cast light on a Lithuania are dedicated to his memory. Judaica were recommended to be con- only foreign diplomat of the period who rael is interesting. It’s not the strictness little known part of the war. sultants, given their experience of pub- granted entry permits to virtually anyone of Jewish law that they find tough, but In league with Jan Zwartendijk, a Dutch lishing in this arena. For peer review, it able to make contact with him. ‘My best regards to my friend Tatsuo consul in Lithuania, Sugihara worked the leniencies. The fact that the halachic was suggested that we recruit academics Osako,’ the writing on the back of the nonstop on visas for Jews in the months texts they are studying makes provision such as Donald Leslie, Andrew Plaks and At times Ho even violated instructions picture reads in French. It is signed ‘I. until Russia annexed Lithuania in August others. for situations when a laxer view of law Segaloff’ and dated March 4, 1941. His 1940 and he was forced to leave the coun- issued by his own country. Thousands can be taken is confusing. They don’t feel fate is unknown. try… of desperate Jews took up the offer, and It was agreed that Sino-Judaica should slighted that they already feel a strong I’ll try to explain why I wrote as such. his efforts saved the lives of between be i-published as a book on demand, First of all, as Jews, we celebrate Sukkot connection to Judaism but need to con- An effort is under way to find the people These transit visas enabled them to travel 20,000 and 30,000 people. Judaica to remind ourselves of the time when we vert — they recognize that their forebears in these portraits or their descendants, through Russia on the Trans-Siberian rail- with a 10% discount for SJI members. went out from , but hadn’t yet en- all of whom are assumed to be Jewish. road, a harrowing journey over thousands Hochstadt was designated Editor of Sino- intermarried. They have no complaints tered the Holy Land. Like our ancestor’s “This is part of history, not only of the Personal photos of such refugees, who of miles that could take weeks, into Japa- . about their treatment in Israel. One of time wandering in the wilderness await- Jews, but ours as Chinese,” said Wanda often fled with few possessions, are rare. nese-controlled territory in Manchuria. the advantages of aliyah is the possibil- ing their arrival in Israel, I feel like the Huang, a schoolteacher in Hong Kong. 4. Recruiting new members ity of having a family of more than one Kaifeng Jewish descendants are on a path The photos were found in an old diary While the diplomat pumped out his vi- “Many Chinese people don’t know about child (they decry Chinese children as SJI relies on its members to fund its on- toward Geulah, or “redemption.” The owned by Osako, who was a young em- sas independently, a much more orga- this. We need to be more proud about spoiled as a result of the one-child-per- going projects so maintaining and in- second reason was that, although at that ployee of the Japan Tourist Bureau at the nized and lesser-known effort was under it. Dr. Ho took a stand, he was proac- creasing membership is essential. time we might or might not have been family law). Though they don’t fit the time, and died in 2003. way for Jewish refugees once they reached a) It was proposed to get a presence on biologically related, we as Jews were all tive.” Sephardic-Ashkenazi mold, they think Japanese territory - which is where Osako Facebook and troll for potential mem- united into one family. The Kaifeng Jew- they will consider themselves Sephardic Akira Kitade, who worked under Osako enters the saga. ish descendants seem to be growing more Yesterday’s visit was part of Yad after they convert and ideally, several say, and is researching a book about him, has bers elsewhere online. and more close to being an integral part marry Persian-Jewish women. All want contacted Israeli officials for help and In 1940, the Japan Tourist Bureau, the b) SJI needs to connect with Shanghai, Vashem’s first seminar for Chinese schol- of the Jewish people. The third reason to serve in the army, and some have ca- visited the United States Holocaust Me- country’s main tourist agency, agreed to Beijing, and Hong Kong Jewish commu- ars. The two-week program includes was that, like the time when we were reer plans. Xue wants to become a den- morial Museum in Washington. help Jews in the U.S. distribute aid nities to recruit new members. meetings with survivors, tours of Israel once all believers, having seen the great The museum said he handed them about money to refugees fleeing Europe. tist. miracles that G-d made for us, there will and more. 30 photographs that he is trying to iden- 5. Treasurer’s Report come a time when we will return to that tify, and received a list of over 2,000 Jews This would allow them to fulfill immi- Hochstadt reported that in 2009, the But the most resolute statement comes strong Emunah, or “belief,” that our fore- The Holocaust was long a neglected sub- in response to a question about food. Is- who received travel papers that enabled gration requirements and help them func- Grants Committee recommended SJI fathers possessed. ject in China’s state education system, raelis are crazy about Chinese food, and them to reach Japan. tion once inside Japan. funding for proposals by Fu Xiaowei and Nissim Ben Shitrit, the Israeli ambassa- but as the country relaxed its curriculum there are Chinese restaurants everywhere, Cao Jian. The Board also agreed to fund Thus, for me, the celebration of this holi- dor to Japan, says he has passed on the The decision was made despite Tokyo’s in recent years, schoolchildren and post- but these men keep well away. “In Is- Henan University’s Judaic Studies pro- day was particularly special, because it information to Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, close ties to Germany; according to JTB rael, the Chinese [restaurants] are not like gram, Nanjing University’s Institute of did not just mean observing Sukkot with secondary students have become more which tracks and honours victims of the records the company had the permission Chinese foods — they have to change the a regular Jewish community. On the con- informed on the subject than ever before. Holocaust, and is optimistic some of the of officials in the Foreign Ministry and Jewish Studies and the China Jewish Stud- flavors for Israelis,” Shi said. So what do trary, it meant feeling the sparks of Geulah individuals can be tracked down… other agencies. ies Shanghai, as well as the Beit Tikvah they like to eat? In chorus, all the stu- School in Kaifeng. of an ancient Chinese Jewish community “Schindler’s List” is now a popular film that yearns to return to the faith of its dents replied, “Shwarma.” The photos shed further light on the story The bureau assigned workers to help refu- in China, and the country’s libraries of- ancestors. Those sparks of redemption had of Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat gees at various stages of their journey, Although SJI has sufficient funds to do fer an array of Chinese-language books a great affect on me, as we observed this Nathan Jeffay is the Forward’s Israel cor- stationed in Lithuania who granted tran- and Osako, in his second year of em- on the systematic destruction of Euro- this for a few years, at the current rate of holy convocation together as a commu- respondent. sit visas to several thousand Jews in the ployment, worked as an escort and clerk expenditure, it will be broke in 10 years. nity. pean Jewry. 6 Points East Points East 7

This year saw the release in China of the of Hebrew and Chinese postwar litera- He spent Yom Kippur at the Kfat prizes. The free China was established Kaifeng Students in Israel “We cannot and must not turn our backs animated film “A Jewish Girl in Shang- ture, at the Hebrew University of Jerusa- Shmaryahu synagogue near his residence. in 1949, one year after Israel, but we view by Nathan Jeffay on them, regardless of whether they hai” (also screened at the Jerusalem Film lem. No, he didn’t fast, but felt the need to what you have achieved as a miracle. We excerpted from The Forward, August 11, choose to make aliyah or remain in are brothers, almost twins. We admire Kaifeng,” the group’s chairman, Michael Festival), which tells the story of a friend- express his solidarity. 2010 you for creating miracles for 62 years.” http://www.forward.com/articles/ Freund, told the Forward. “Either way, ship between two girls, a Chinese girl “Recent years have brought changes to “I am China’s ambassador in Israel. I love 129951/ they deserve a chance to learn more and and a Jewish refugee. China. The Chinese are starting to con- Israel,” he says in Hebrew, adding that Undoubtedly, the greatest success in to engage their Jewishness, just like any front their own traumas from the Japa- he would gladly study Hebrew but can’t China and Israel’s relations is the trade A year ago they were living by the bank other Diaspora Jewish community.” “We try to reach them about the nese conquest. That didn’t happen in the find the time. ties. In the past 18 years, trade relations of China’s Yellow River. Now, the seven individual’s relationship to the society past. Now, on the margins, one can see have been extended and have grown from yarmulke-and-tzitzit-clad young men, sit- The latest arrivals spent their first six in which he lives, about racism and preju- people dealing with issues that aren’t Didn’t you have any prejudice $42 million to $6 billion. ting in central Jerusalem and chatting months in Israel on Sde Eliyahu, a reli- linked directly to us, like the Holocaust,” dice, and the Holocaust plays a part in against Israel? about their lives, are Israel’s keenest ye- gious kibbutz in the north of the coun- that,” said Huang. “Students read Anne she said. “The Chinese can and want to “When the supervisor informed me that “Israel contributes greatly to China in shiva students. try. They took Hebrew-language classes Frank’s ‘Diary of a Young Girl.’ Our po- know more about historical truth. The there was an available position for an agricultural affairs, an important and sig- in the morning and worked in the after- sition is that if some injustice or act of atmosphere is freer.” ambassador to Israel, I immediately said nificant field in China,” Zhao says. It is the end of July, the day after the Fast noon. For one month, they then lived in violence is going on around them, they yes. He said, ‘Think about it for one night; “These days more than 20 universities of Av, when every yeshiva halts for sum- an apartment in Jerusalem and studied should take action.” consult your family.’ I told him there was have established ties with Israeli univer- mer break — but this group won’t stop… at the Machon Meir yeshiva. And since no need. I am interested in the position. sities; nearly 20 Chinese universities have the beginning of July they have been The initiative to hold the seminar in Is- Readers: Visit our improved and Like others, I thought it was a country signed twin city agreements with Israeli They have already earned their place in studying in a program that Shavei com- history, as the first group of Kaifeng men rael came from Prof. Glenn Timmermans, greatly expanded website: constantly in a state of war. ( cities; and the first Confucius Institute piled especially for them at Hamivtar to ever study at an Israeli yeshiva. But an associate professor of literature at the www.sino-judaic.org. opened at Tel Aviv University in 2007. yeshiva in Efrat, which is headed by the University of Macau. “In my years in “When I arrived here I discovered a won- they want to convert to Judaism as soon founding rabbi of New York’s Lincoln China, I understood that Chinese students derful country. What captured my heart “All these are signs of good relations. We as possible and, under the Law of Re- Square Synagogue, Shlomo Riskin. After SJI Members: Email info@sino- turn, exchange their visitor visas for aliyah know nothing about the Holocaust,” he was the residents’ friendly attitude. The have learned a lot from you. The Chi- such intensive preparations for conver- judaic.org to receive the user visas and make their move to Israel per- sion, all of Israel’s local rabbinates — said. “How can one understand the 20th friendship between Israel and the Chi- nese government sees the importance of name and password needed to nese people has been going on for over manent. Their study program is prepar- even the strictest ones, which in recent century without knowing about the Ho- developing the relationship between access the “members only” sec- 1,000 years, including during the Holo- ing them for conversion tests… years have controversially contested some locaust?” China and Israel, and is willing to ad- tion. caust when Jewish refugees were given conversions — are expected to accept the vance mutual trust and cooperation be- In the past decade, some descendents of students’ Jewishness. On one of his visits to Israel, shelter in China although China was in tween the two countries and two gov- Kaifeng Jews have become increasingly Timmermans convinced Yad Vashem dire straits, under a Japanese attack.” ernments.” interested in their heritage — partly be- The students’ relationship to Judaism authorities to include a seminar for Chi- On Tuesday, September 28, China marks cause of a more liberal atmosphere in varies: Some only learned of their heri- nese teachers among the dozens of work- An Interview with China’s 18 years since the establishment of dip- How can the cooperation between our China, partly because the Internet has tage during their teens; others grew up in shops it holds annually for international Ambassador to Israel lomatic relations with Israel. The Chi- two countries be strengthened? “Israel is allowed them to access previously un- families that always avoided pork, and guests. Funding ultimately came from excerpted from YNetnews nese, like the Israelis, view this number proud of its advanced science and tech- available information about Judaism, and with grandparents that tried to inculcate Sheldon Adelson, the American casino as a symbolic milestone. “For us it sym- nology, while China enjoys the advan- partly because Jewish individuals and something on Jewish tradition. Wang tycoon who also has considerable invest- China’s Ambassador to Israel Zhao Jun bolizes happiness and prosperity,” the tage of natural resources and spacious organizations have visited them. There Yaacov, 24, is amused by the widespread ments in China. encounters the same question time and assumption that he took on his last name ambassador explains. ( lands. So we have a lot to share in order are about 1,000 people in Kaifeng who again. During visits to his homeland he are aware of their descent from the Jew- in Israel. “My grandfather found it in the Timmermans says Chinese people ex- is asked what it’s like to serve in a coun- to reach winning solutions.” A festive gala dinner was to be held at ish community, and a core of 35 who Chumash,” he said. posed to the Holocaust are more likely try known as a world power with 200,000 the Beit Shean amphitheater in the pres- have, for the past five years, been meet- to identify with the victims, but they tend residents. Where will we be 10 years from The parents of all the students are happy ence of President Shimon Peres. This lo- ing for meals and prayers on the Sabbath. to do so by comparing it with other his- cation was chosen, among other things, today? that their children are in Israel, “because torical events, such as Japan’s 1931 in- “I explain to them that Israel only has in honor of former politician David Levy, “China welcomes investments from Is- in the Bible it says from every different One organization that visited Kaifeng was vasion of Manchuria or its 1937 massa- seven million residents – barely a small who lives in Beit Shean and served as rael. By the end of 2009, Israel set up country, all the Jews will come back Shavei Israel (“returners to Israel”), a cre of Chinese civilians in Nanking. town in China,” he says. “They find it foreign minister when the relations with 292 projects for investment in China, here,” 22-year-old Xue Fei said. Jerusalem-based not-for-profit that exists hard to believe. I understand them. News China were first established. estimated at $220 million. The volume to strengthen ties between Israel and de- “We have to be very careful with com- doesn’t change all the time in China like of trade grows every year. The diplomatic Most in the group grew up without mak- scendants of Jews, including the parisons,” he said. “On the one hand we it does here – every hour. It took me time Zhao says he is working with the Israeli ties will also grow tighter. Three of your ing the connection that modern Israel was to get used to it as well.” Marranos and the Bnei Menashe of In- talk about the universality of the Holo- Foreign Ministry on preparing Benjamin presidents and three of your prime min- the Jewish state. For 23-year-old Shi Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to China, dia. Back in 2005, it arranged temporary Yuguan — who simply goes by Shai in caust, and on the other we present it as isters have already visited China. We After three years in Israel, Zhao is in love. where he says the prime minister is ex- visas for three Kaifeng women. These Hebrew — this discovery was a relatively unique.” believe in and support integrating the Is- He recently asked his supervisor at the pected to be welcomed warmly. women moved to Israel, converted and recent one. “About six or seven years ago, raeli mind in the Chinese market in or- Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing for made aliyah, prior to which only a single I found out that there are many Jews in One of the organizers of the visit is Jong another extension, although his term is “You might not know this,” he says, “but der to generate those same miracles you family from the community had come. Israel, so Israel is a place where many, Je Ching, a Beijing-based researcher who scheduled to end soon. He wants to stay we in China admire you and your Jewish have created in this small country. His- The seven young men form Shavei’s sec- many Jews came together. So after this, I wrote her 2005 doctorate, a comparison here at least one more year. mind, which has brought many Nobel tory has taught us that we are true friends.” ond group. started to find out more about Israel,” he