Vol. 33 No. 1 A Publication of the Sino-Judaic Institute March 2018 The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem Jewish Identity in China: A Chinese View The following article is compiled uncritically from its website By An Tifa. Translated from Chinese by Tiberiu Weisz https://int.icej.org. This article under its original title “A Group of Jewish Descendents [Founded in 1980, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem from Kaifeng Want to Immigrate to Israel, but Their Identity Is in (ICEJ) is considered the largest global pro-Israel Christian ministry, Doubt” was published in Chinese in 21st Century World and on the with branch offices established in over 95 nations and a reach into internet at: http://www.sina.com.cn/c/2002-08-06. Weisz’s transla- more than 170 countries worldwide. tion first appeared in Covenant: Global Jewish Magazine 3:1, August The first Kaifeng Jewish family to make aliyah was sponsored on 2009 and is excerpted here from his new book, A History Of The their journey home by the ICEJ and went via the Finnish Transit Kaifeng Israelites: Encounters with Israelites in Chinese Literature route described below. According to the ICEJ website, more Kai- (Outskirts Press, 2017). Ed.] feng Jews are now taking Hebrew language courses and religious [Translator’s Note: As the Chinese title indicates, this article is written studies in preparation for moving to for Chinese audiences, and the text Israel, with assistance from Shavei Is- follows Chinese reporting practices rael, its partner in the Bnei Menashe Won’t You Please Come to Chicago? that differ considerably from reporting aliyah. The ICEJ is helping to cover the style in the West. To make the arti- flights for these Kaifeng Jewish fami- SJI members are invited to come to Chicago for the cle more reader friendly for Western lies as well. For example, the ICEJ-Tai- first ever SJI member meeting. It is a crucial gathering. readers, the translator has made some wan branch recently donated $25,000 structural changes and eliminated for this unique aliyah operation. At this meeting, we will decide the future of SJI. many repetitions, duplications and re- Readers may recall that Vol. 30, #3 Should SJI try to continue its work in Kaifeng and/or dundancies, while remaining true to featured an article “Messianic Zion- support efforts to move interested Jewish descendants the original article.] ism, Settler-Colonialism, and the Lost to Israel? Or should SJI focus on giving scholarly and Among a group of people studying Jews of Kaifeng” which was strongly artistic grants, and publishing Points East? Or should Hebrew at the Foreign Language Insti- critical of the ICEJ and its role in bring- SJI congratulate itself on what it has accomplished and tute at Nanjing University was Zhang ing marginal Jewish groups to Israel Xingwang,1 a teacher from Kaifeng and the West Bank. Ed.] just close up shop? with a small black cap called a kip- The Beginning Behind these questions are ones that harder to answer: pa covering his head. Zhang said that During the late 1970s the Lord began Would a change in Chinese policy allow SJI to continue he does not have a great knowledge stirring the hearts of believers across of the Jewish tradition, but he wears its work in Kaifeng? Do we have the ability to influence the kippa in search of spiritual suste- the world concerning the nation of Is- the Chinese authorities to make such a change? Is a re- rael and its prophetic role in modern nance. Because of this search, he is times. Then, in the summer of 1980, vival of the Jewish community in Kaifeng even possible? very attentive when he follows the in- struction of the Hebrew teachers. the Israeli Parliament declared the city IF SJI members decide to continue the organization’s of Jerusalem to be the undivided, eter- existence, then we’ll need to elect new officers and a At the invitation of Professor Xu Xin, nal capital of the State of Israel, estab- Director of the Jewish Cultural Stud- board of directors. lished as such by King David almost ies Department at Nanjing University, 3,000 years earlier. Protest resounded All members in good standing (i.e. current in their mem- Chinese students, historians, teachers, across the international political spec- bership dues) are invited to attend, participate and vote. scholars and other interested parties trum, resulting in the closure of thir- came from all over China to attend teen national embassies in Jerusalem. So, save the date: Sunday, June 3rd, Chicago. Proba- a summer program of Israel cultural A number of Christians living in Israel bly in Skokie, but the place to be determined. studies. He also invited several de- were then hosting a Christian celebra- scendents of the Jews from Kaifeng tion during the Jewish Feast of Taber- Please indicate your possible attendance by emailing and a Jewish professor and his wife to nacles. They sensed Israel’s deep hurt [email protected]. teach Hebrew and Jewish culture. over the withdrawal of the foreign Zhang Xingwang introduced straight- embassies and felt the call of the Lord forwardly the long history of the Jews to open a Christian Embassy in this, the City of the Great King. in Kaifeng… In the past, these Jews marked “Jews” as their nationality They called it the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and in the census. In 1952, two Jewish delegates from Kaifeng went to it represents Christians from around the world, speaking words of Beijing to represent the community at the celebration of the National comfort and support to Israel. Ever since, the Embassy has provided Day2 and were received by the leadership of the Central Committee. a “servant’s heart” ministry to the people of the land. A few years ago at the time of the census most of the people changed A Theological Statement [nationality] to “Muslim” or “Han.” Zhang Xingwang was obviously … much of Israel’s sufferings have been bound up with her calling. not pleased. He said [that the Jews] were obviously not Muslims or She, by the choice of God, became the vehicle of world redemp- Han Chinese, so why ask them to change their nationality? It is un- tion. The redemptive blessing of God has come to all the families of reasonable that they cannot get such recognition. (continued on page 12) (continued on page 12) 2 Points East FROM THE EDITOR Points East TABLE OF CONTENTS Anson Laytner, Publisher Since the situation in Kaifeng remains Featured Articles: unchanged, I thought it would be worth Points East is published by the Sino-Judaic Institute, a tax-exempt, non-profit organization. The International Christian reminding readers of the face of sup- pression by offering you Points East first The opinions and views expressed by the Embassy Jerusalem ...... 1 contributors and editor are their own and do centerfold, which contrasts pictures of Jewish Identity in China: A Chi- not necessarily express the viewpoints and better times with those from the present. positions of the Sino-Judaic Institute. nese View ...... 1 Also featured is a tourist’s journal re- Letters to the Editor and articles for Points East From the Editor ...... 2 cording her trip to Kaifeng in 1982 and a may be sent to: report by a recent visitor there in 2017. Preferred Form: In the Field ...... 3 The hesitant, even defensive, attitude e-mail:[email protected] that marked the beginning of Deng Xia- oping’s “opening up” is mirrored in the or to: Rabbi Anson Laytner Articles: 1823 East Prospect St. fearful sentiments that are the result of Seattle, WA 9811-23307 Shattered by Glass: Memories of today’s policies. Krisallnacht and Shanghai ...... 3 Points East is published three times a year, in Another article dealing with a look back March, July and November. Deadlines for Kaifeng Then and Now: is Tibi Weisz’s translation of An Tifa’s submitting material to be included in these China Journal, 1982 ...... 7 Chinese language article dating from issues are January 15th, May 15th and 2002, which is important as a historical September 15th. A Visit to Kaifeng, Autumn 2017 ....7 document on Kaifeng Jewish identity. Revival of a Soviet Zion: Likewise the lead article on the Inter- FINANCIAL REPORT AVAILABLE Birobidzhan celebrates its Jewish national Christian Embassy Jerusalem, SJI members interested in receiving a heritage ...... 10 which played—and perhaps still plays— copy of the annual financial report should such an important role in bringing far- send a self-addressed envelope to: Steve Unexpected Learnings from the flung Jewish and semi-Jewish groups Hochstadt, Treasurer of the Sino-Judaic Jewish Communities in Asia ..... 11 to Israel. Whatever one thinks about Institute, Illinois College, 1101 W. College Ave., Jacksonville IL 62650. Documentary Tells Tale of Jewish their messianic mission—and I, for one, am critical of it—one cannot but be im- Refugees to China ...... 15 pressed by what the ICEJ has accom- Sino-Judaic Institute In Memoriam: Chan Sui Jeung .. 16 plished. c/o Rabbi Arnold Mark Belzer 34 Washington Avenue Given the on-going suppression in Kai- Savannah, GA 31405 U.S.A. Book Nook ...... 12 feng, I could enter 2018 on a depressed note but three things give me hope for a SJI Officers A History Of The Kaifeng Israel- Arnold Mark Belzer, President ites: Encounters with Israelites in better future there. First, over the past Vera Schwarcz, Vice-President thirty plus years, the Kaifeng Jews have Steve Hochstadt, Treasurer

Chinese Literature been given a booster shot of Jewish con- Ondi Lingenfelter, Secretary tent that should sustain them well be- Anson Laytner, Immediate Past President yond the current crisis. Second, foreign Managing Board Jewish individuals are still able to visit Denise Yeh Bresler, Joel Epstein, Bev Friend, Kaifeng and meet with Jewish residents Mary-Anne Graham, Ron Kaye, Dana Leven- SJI MEMBERSHIP there. This people-to-people contact re- thal, David Marshall, Jim Michaelson, Art Ros- mains an essential lifeline during these en, Eric Rothberg, Marvin Tokayer, Tibi Weisz, Country Total trying times. Third, and most important- Cynthia Zeiden United States 133 ly, Kaifeng Jews now living in Israel can International Advisory Board Canada 11 return home to visit, bringing with them Wendy Abraham, Jan Berris, Mark Cohen, first-hand knowledge and direct experi- Irene Eber, Avrum Ehrlich, Fu Youde, Jonathan China 20 ence of living Judaism. Goldstein, Jerry Gotel, Judy Green, Len Hew, Israel 16 Tess Johnston, Donald Leslie, Den Leventhal, Michael Li, Maisie Meyer, Mark Michael- England 7 Ideally, the Chinese authorities should son, Sonja Muehlberger, Gustavo Perednik, make some accommodation for the Australia 3 Andrew Plaks, Pan Guang, Shi Lei, Yitzhak unique status of the Kaifeng Jews (nei- Shichor, Elyse Silverberg, Josh Stampfer, Sha- Japan 2 ther as a national minority nor as an of- lom Wald, Xiao Xian, Xu Xin, Zhang Qian- Germany 2 ficial religion) so that they can maintain hong, Albert Yee, David Zweig Switzerland 1 their identity as Chinese Jews without Past Presidents harassment or fear. South Africa 1 Al Dien, Leo Gabow Taiwan 1 Anson Laytner In Memoriam, z”I Marshall Deneberg, Leo Gabow, Phyllis Horal, Teddy Kaufman, Rena Krasno, Michael Pollak, Total: 197 Louis Schwartz Points East 3 Letters to the Editor ways wondered what happened to him. Did Shattered by Glass: Memories Dear Editor, he escape Germany? Did he get to China? My meager efforts to find out have been fruitless. of Krisallnacht and Shanghai I refer to Professor Jordan Paper’s fine article By Kevin Ostoyich on: Why Foreign Jews Are Responsible for the Respectfully yours, Problems of the Kaifeng Jews. Surely Professor Diane Rabinowitz Reprinted from The American Institute for Paper is right that many people do not know [email protected] Contemporary German studies, John Hop- you can be Han (Chinese) and also Jewish. kins University http://www.aicgs.org/issue/ In fact, the term “Han” has been adopted To the Editor, shattered-by-glass/ by many Chinese who are not Han, but Bai, Hakka (Kejia), Miao, Zhuang, etc. These are Hello! My name is Annette Jonas-Galula. I A Conversation on a Staircase minorities, some of whom are so identified live in Israel, but I was born and raised in Min- Dr. Karl Kollwitz, husband of the renowned in their ID Cards. This is generally not true of neapolis, Minnesota. artist Käthe Kollwitz, advised Else Engler Kejia or Chaozhou persons. Be that as it may, I have been researching my dad’s family for against continuing her pregnancy. Hitler’s confusion among foreigners is not surpris- the past 4 years and I am in the process of writ- Germany was no country in which to raise a ing. After all, the Chinese people, confident ing a memory book on the family. My dad, Jewish child, he had claimed. When the dis- in their culture, do not expect great wisdom Peter Jonas, was born in Berlin, Germany in traught Else left the office, she encountered from foreigners about matters Chinese. 1925. He escaped on the Kindertransport to Käthe, who was ascending the staircase bring- One can keep blaming the Opium War of England in June of 1939. ing sandwiches up to Dr. Kollwitz’s office. 150 years ago for many things that are going Peter’s mother, my grandmother, was born Seeing how unhappy Else was, Käthe stopped on today, but most of the blame is nonsense. Annie Gertrud Loewenthal, the older sister of her and the two talked for a while. After the China is a world power, second largest econ- Rudolf Loewenthal. Annie married my grand- conversation, Else decided to go ahead with omy in the world. Its people are not feeling father, Erich Jonas in 1920. the pregnancy, and on September 12, 1934, persecuted by Yangguizi (foreign devils). My grandma escaped from Berlin to Peking, she gave birth to a baby boy with Dr. Kollwitz We have known for sometimes that some China in 1940 with the help of her brother, attending. Given the important role Käthe had persons in the Chinese government are hos- Rudolf, who was by then a Chinese citizen played in the decision to have the child, Else tile to Jewish activities in Kaifeng. Why they and teaching at the Yenching University. A decided to name her boy in remembrance have been able to reassert their malevolent year later, in 1941, Annie had to move to the of the son the Kollwitzes had lost in the First authority is unknown to us. Surely we are not Shanghai Ghetto where she was interned until World War: Peter. to blame. The authorities in Kaifeng are treat- 1947, when she made her way as a stateless Else was a milliner and had a salon in Berlin. ing people of Jewish origin badly. We must refugee to Minneapolis, Minnesota. My dad Her father was a tailor and specialized in mak- object and oppose their wrongful conduct. visited his mother in Minneapolis in 1949 (she ing uniforms and thus most of his customers Hopefully, with wisdom and patience we didn’t recognize him after a 10-year absense!), were military men. Her husband, Dr. Leon En- will change their egregious behavior. Let us travelling from England, and that’s where he gler, had been born in what is now Romania, not blame the victims and their supporters for stayed, eventually meeting my mother. but as a child had fled to Vienna during the the wrongful behavior of the oppressors of the When my older brother had his bar-mitzvah First World War. Leon would always consider Kaifeng Jewish community. in 1969, Rudolf came with his wife to Minne- Vienna his hometown. Leon had a Ph.D. in David C. Buxbaum apolis from the east coast (Washington D.C. I chemistry from the University of Vienna and [email protected] believe) to participate in the celebration. My worked in Berlin as a chemist in a sugar facto- grandma Annie and her brother Rudolf shared ry. The family lived in an apartment above a a very special relationship as siblings and I Dear Rabbi Laytner, Jewish-owned store in a Jewish neighborhood know that Annie was very happy to see her in Berlin. FYI and for the record: In 1995, 22 years ago, brother in Minneapolis. I remember Rudolf Shattered Glass a paper was published in the Sino-Judaic Oc- very clearly although I was just 11-years old. casional Papers, number 2, pages 67-84, en- As a matter of fact, Rudolf and his wife took Leon had felt protected in Germany as an Aus- titled: “A Plan to Settle Jewish Refugees into such a liking to my older brother that they trian citizen, but after the Anschluss in 1938 China.” This paper had been translated from wanted to take him back with them to the east by which Austria was incorporated into the the MinGuo Dang-An Shi Liao, Arch. Nation- coast to live with them! Greater German Reich, things changed, and alist Period, vol.3, 1993, pgs. 17-21. Original Leon lost his job in the sugar factory. He un- I have discovered through my research the documents were from 1979. This paper had successfully tried to run an ice cream parlor as many books and articles that Rudolf wrote been submitted by us, Michael and Diane a chemist and then started a lending library. about the Far East. I am particularly interested Rabinowitz. During Kristallnacht in November 1938, in his book, “The Sino-Judaic Bibliographies We visited the Kuomintang (Guo Min Dang) by Rudolf Loewenthal”, because, specifically, when Peter was four years old, the windows Archives at the Yang Ming Shu Wu Library, there is an introduction in the book by Mi- of the Jewish store below the Englers’ apart- hidden in the trees on a hill north of Taipei, chael Pollak, where he writes about Rudolf’s ment were shattered. Leon decided to go into in Taiwan. When we went there, in 1997, life and his work. [We sent her a copy of Pol- hiding, for any Jew with a doctorate was in we had an appointment to visit and went in lak’s introduction. Ed.] jeopardy of being rounded up as a medical a KMT bus. The library is actually under- doctor and accused of malpractice and other …Any personal info about Rudolf that you ground, for security at the time, and was part such falsehoods. Else had two young non-Jew- may have (possibly letters) and could share of a larger estate of Chiang Kai Shek. It is now ish German ladies who were learning the mil- with me I would be highly grateful for. My opened to tourists. linery trade in her hat salon; they were farm dad did receive some of Rudolf’s personal Although I am not sure we actually saw Chi- girls and took Leon into hiding. Meanwhile, photographs and other documents after Ru- Else found out at a travel agency that Shanghai ang Kai Shek’s signature on any “plan”; we dolf’s death in 1996. did see some official signature and did see the was an open port and that a Japanese ocean I greatly appreciate your time to read this email plans and did see letters of the banker Jakob/ liner was leaving in three weeks from Genoa, and I am looking forward to hearing from Jacob Berglas outlining how much money Italy. Else proceeded to sell most of their be- you. Wishing you all a sweet Shana Tova and needed for trucks, etc. Irene Eber, who has longings in order to purchase three tickets. G’mar Hatima Tova! published in 2012 on Jewish refugees in Chi- Once Else had evidence that they were leav- na, and Gao Bei, a history professor from the Sincerely yours, ing Germany, Leon could safely come out of University of NC, in her book of 2013, have Annette Jonas-Galula hiding. She asked her father to accompany mentioned Jakob Berglas in their books. I al- [email protected] them, but he refused, thinking his military 4 Points East customers would protect him. He was wrong. nese classmates, no Chinese friends. His only sion that he and the other Jewish children in A “Colonialist Piss Pot” interactions with Chinese children were vio- Shanghai were afraid: “I think deep down […] lent: usually fights provoked by the European all us kids—although we never talked about The Englers arrived in Shanghai in early 1939. kids throwing stones at the Chinese kids. He it—[…] were living in fear. We didn’t know Peter distinctly remembers the incredible regrets this and is ashamed of the Europeans’ what’s going to happen to us, what our par- noise as the ship was unloaded by the Chinese behavior in China. ents were going to do, will this war end? We laborers, known as Coolies, who chanted as were bombed occasionally by the American they carried the luggage off the ship. He also Life as a “Hongkew Kid” Air Force and that was pretty scary. Although recalls the horrid smell. In 1943, the occupying Japanese forces is- we did not experience any atrocities, we did sued a proclamation that all stateless refugees At first the family lived in a refugee camp, but witness some atrocities that the Japanese in- who entered Shanghai after January 1, 1937, then Else found a job in a hat salon and Leon flicted on the Chinese population.” Peter had to move into a Designated Area in the started producing gold alloys for dentists. Peter vividly recalls a brutal beating of a Chinese rundown Hongkew section in the northern explains that in those days the Chinese would coolie, who had been caught stealing a Sal- part of Shanghai. Else and Leon moved into cap their teeth with gold as a sign of prestige vation Army tea kettle tin cup: “I can still see a house on Wayside Road, now Huo Shan “similar to how we drive cars that are much the scene. He was on his knees with his hands Lu, with the same families they had shared too big for us here in the States.” Given that up praying for them […] to stop. His face was a house with in the French Concession and both parents drew an income, they were able all bloodied up. That left an impression upon hired a new amah to look after Peter. Peter to afford a place in a fairly high-class neighbor- me. But […] this wasn’t something where you was quickly transferred from the Shanghai hood in the French Concession and send their would run home and say ‘you know what I Jewish School in downtown Shanghai to the son to the Western District Public School. just saw?’ […] You accepted these [events] as Shanghai Jewish Youth Association (SJYA) Peter explains this was “a very, very British kids. You accepted these events as that’s the school in the Designated Area in Hongkew. school. We wore uniforms and sang ‘God way life is.” Save the King’ […] every morning, and played The SJYA was also known as the “Kadoorie Peter says the Jewish kids did not have any- rugby, but they never allowed me to play; I School” after its Sephardic Jewish benefactor. thing to do with the Japanese children, who was too little.” Peter attended the Western Dis- All the residents living in the Hongkew Des- were easily identifiable by their military uni- trict Public School until the bombing of Pearl ignated Area had to receive permission from forms—“even the little ones,” he notes. When- Harbor in December 1941. Thereafter the the Japanese to leave and enter. The SJYA ever he or his friends encountered Japanese school was used by the Japanese as a prison- was one or two blocks outside the Designat- kids, they would avoid them. er-of-war camp for the British and Americans. ed Area and Peter, too, had to receive per- Else and Leon then sent Peter to the Shang- mission. In order to continue her millinery Peter notes that because his parents were hai Jewish School. Peter remembers very little work in downtown Shanghai, Else also had relatively well off, their living arrangements about his first year—1942—at the Shanghai to acquire a pass. The distribution of passes were better than most other refugees. Many Jewish School; he was to return there after the was overseen by a notoriously sadistic man who were less fortunate had to live in bar- end of the war in 1945. Although boxing, for named Kano Ghoya, who, being short in racks-style Heime with little to no privacy and example, was very popular, Peter did not par- stature, tended to take out his sadism on tall subsisted on food provided by soup kitchens. ticipate because he was too small and skinny. men. Else never encountered any problems, Many of Peter’s schoolmates lived under such His parents rented a piano and secured les- nor did Peter. Peter remembers a visit by conditions. The predicament of one boy par- sons for him, but he did not play with much Ghoya—who styled himself the “King of the ticularly plagues Peter’s memories. The boy’s enthusiasm. Jews”—to the SJYA. Peter and his classmates father had been a tobacconist in Berlin, and in the Designated Area, the father, son, and Looking back, Peter is not proud of how he act- had to sing for the Japanese official, who pro- a hired Chinese coolie would spend the days ed as a child. He characterizes himself as hav- ceeded to tell them a bizarre story about his going around picking up cigarette butts and ing been “a colonialist piss pot.” He explains, grandmother, who he claimed was such a no- the evenings taking the tobacco out and roll- “I learned very quickly that we […] Europeans ble lady that she always had her clocks turned ing it into new, whole cigarettes. The father were the superiors of the natives. My parents off every few months so they could rest. Look- and son used their sleeping cots in their squal- hired a nanny, an amah who always called me ing back now with a laugh, Peter claims this id single-room home as their work benches. ‘Master Peter,’ always walked three steps be- story “is so crazy, it’s got to be true!” Given that the boy spent most of his evenings hind me when we were walking on the street. By this time Leon could no longer sell his rolling the tobacco, slept where the cigarettes […] And I very quickly became quite used to gold alloys, and thus had no reason to leave were rolled, and did not have access to a this. And there’s an anecdote that I like to tell: the Designated Area. He still put his profes- proper shower, he stank horribly. Because of My parents also hired a private rickshaw coo- sional knowledge of chemistry to use, how- his foul odor everyone avoided him. Upon lie for me […] who would take me to school in ever. Peter notes, “The preferred currency in the encouragement of Else and Leon, Peter the morning and pick me up from school after- Shanghai was the US dollar, but in the middle eventually befriended the boy, although their wards, and one day, […] it was in the fall, there of the war the inflow of US dollars was abol- friendship did not become close until after the was a fairly severe monsoon rainstorm […] and ished, and a trade developed in US currency. Shanghai experience. the streets were flooded, my rickshaw coolie It was the physical appearance of a dollar bill couldn’t come to pick me up, and it was fairly that substantially affected its value; a crisp In general, the family had very little interac- late in the afternoon, he figured that I would new dollar bill was worth more than a soiled tion with people from other nationalities and be pretty hungry so he brought me something used one.” Leon used his chemical skills to religions. Nevertheless, Else did have such to eat, a Chinese delicacy, a meatball that was devise an array of smelly detergents in the En- interactions from time to time. One such inter- wrapped in seaweed and steamed. The most gler’s kitchen and literally laundered money action was quite remarkable and could very revolting thing you’d ever want to have cross with the detergents and a flat iron in order to well have saved her life. Toward the end of your lips. I just took one bite of it and flung increase the value of the notes. Peter says he the war, Else came down with a severe case it back into this guy’s face. It’s not the man I “has no idea how much of our sustenance” of the intestinal disease known as “Asian” or became, but in this colonialist environment, I came from his father’s “money laundering.” Tropical Sprue. This disease can be very se- became a typical colonialist brat. And I regret This was illegal, and Leon was eventually rious if not treated properly. One of the reg- this to this day. I even have a problem telling caught by the Japanese; however, he was ular customers of the millinery shop was the the story without tearing up. That’s how one’s able to bribe his way out of trouble with cash wife of the German consul general. The two environment can shape who you are and be- and a wristwatch. women became acquaintances, and when the lady found out that Else was sick she had her come who you are.” He says his friends were Peter often tries to “reconstruct what [his] husband send away to Germany to have the also typical colonialist brats. They had no Chi- youth was like.” He has come to the conclu- Points East 5 necessary medicine delivered by diplomatic for two and a half years. Within weeks after them, “Hatikvah.” According to Peter, “Even pouch. The medicine arrived and was given we got this soy milk, my teeth came out. And the cabin crew were wiping tears from their to Else’s doctor in order for her to receive I also got for some reason […] a liver injec- eyes.” treatment. Peter notes that had they been in tion. That’s something I wouldn’t volunteer Leon’s plan was to set up a soap factory in Germany, such a bureaucrat could just as for either! The liver is some viscous stuff and Shanghai if the foreign concessions were re- easily have “signed the document to send us the needles are the size of hollowed out knit- established. This plan was dashed, though, on a cattle car to Auschwitz.” He believes it ting needles!” when the Communists took control of the very important that people learn this story: Peter says that the most dramatic change was city. Leon was then evacuated to Canada via “There’s a lesson to be learned from this story. that for the first time they were not afraid. San Francisco. Upon arriving in San Francis- I don’t know what it is. But there is a lesson The Americans were very friendly. He notes co, he was put on a sealed train to Vancou- to be learned. […] How our environment […] the sailors were definitely not interested in ver because he did not have an entry visa for [shapes] […] who we are and who we be- finding out where the opera houses were. the United States. While Leon tried to estab- come. And if we don’t like it, we’ve got to do “They wanted to know where the bars were lish himself in Canada and prepare the entry [something] consciously […] for if we just let and where the whorehouses were, and we of his wife and son, Else and Peter left Israel our environment shape us, we can become took them to these places, and in return they for Rome, then Northern Italy, then Austria, different people.” would invite us on board their ships. […] My until finally journeying to Canada on Austri- The worst day of the war for Peter and many friend […] even got a sailor hat. I think he an passports. “We arrived by boat in Halifax other Shanghai Jews was July 17, 1945, when slept with this damn thing! He never took it and as we […] handed the immigration offi- American bombs hit the Designated Area and off […] he was so proud of it! […] These were cer our passports, he stamped them, handed many refugees and countless Chinese were the good times.” them back, and said, ‘Welcome to Canada.’ killed. Peter underscores the word “countless” Immediately after the end of the war, Peter That had a big effect,” Peter chokes up and explaining “no one bothered to count them.” went back to the Shanghai Jewish School. says with tears welling in his eyes, “For the Leon put on his Pao Chia uniform and start- Now Peter travelled to school on a school first time we were welcome somewhere and ed helping. Peter recalls how as they were “bus”—a bare truck with no seats. Peter be- not being chased.” Else and Peter were then approaching a Chinese victim on the street, lieves that it was at this time he finally started reunited with Leon in Montreal. a Japanese military ambulance showed up, to get a decent education, although he says Despite the fact that he was, in his terms, “lit- three Japanese military men in uniform got the “Hongkew children” were treated as be- erally off the boat,” the teacher and kids in his out with a stretcher, put the Chinese man on ing somehow lower than the other kids. On new school in Montreal were very welcoming. the stretcher, took photographs, then put the one occasion, a teacher actually referred to On the first day, a group of boys took him out Chinese man back on the street, got back in them as the “Hongkew kids” in class. As a for a sundae, becoming lifelong friends in the the ambulance, and drove away. result, the children got together and talked process. Given his aptitude in mathematics, After the War about going on strike in protest to their teach- Peter pursued an electrical engineering degree Peter remembers after the first atomic bomb er having called them this derogatory term. at McGill University. Afterward, he moved to was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, Peter did not have a good relationship with the United States to conduct graduate studies 1945, there was speculation that perhaps the his parents, who always seemed preoccupied at Cornell University. After earning a Master’s war would soon be over. He and his father with other things. Leon’s business partner degree in electrical engineering in 1961, he went out after curfew to see what was going Fritz Adler and Fritz’s wife, Stella, actually started working in an applied research think on in the streets. As they were looking around served more as surrogate parents for Peter in tank affiliated with Cornell University in Buf- they were spotted by a Japanese officer who Shanghai. Fritz did not think that Leon was falo, NY. The Vietnam War, which Peter vig- was riding in the sidecar of a motorcycle. Pe- bringing up Peter properly as a boy, so he orously opposed, was intensifying in the mid- ter and his father saw the officer struggling to would give Peter gifts that he thought were 1960s and Peter enrolled as a part-time Ph.D. get up in the sidecar of the moving motorcycle more masculine such as soccer boots and candidate in the Biophysics Department at and reaching for his sidearm, so they ran away boxing gloves. One of Peter’s prized posses- the State University of New York at Buffalo as fast as they could. As they ran they heard sions growing up —and one he still cherishes Medical School. He earned a Ph.D. in 1974 the officer discharging his gun. According to deeply to this day—is the accordion that Fritz and found a job as a biomedical engineer in Peter, “this was the closest encounter I ever gave him for his Bar Mitzvah. the Department of Surgery at the St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ. In 1984, he had to becoming [a] […] collateral victim.” Peter played this accordion in what was un- was recruited to join the Electrical and Com- When the war ended on August 15, 1945, Pe- doubtedly the most important musical perfor- puter Engineering Department of the New Jer- ter said the Japanese soldiers remained briefly, mance of his life. It transpired on a flight to sey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark, but they no longer had bayonets fixed to their Israel. Peter remembers having discussed the NJ. In 2000, he was a charter member of the guns. Shortly afterward they just vanished. creation of Israel with his father in Shanghai. Biomedical Engineering Department at NJIT, The American Navy took over Shanghai and He remembers how his father went over a from which he retired as Associate Professor provided K-Rations to the refugees. The con- map with him and told him that the borders Emeritus in 2002. tainers had typical WWII military rations like would most likely be problematic and unsta- Spam, chewing gum, Hershey’s chocolate, ble and that the family was not going to go He is now retired and lives with his wife Dina, and coffee (the latter of which, Peter noted, there. The family never seriously considered in New Jersey. Peter and Dina have two sons “my mother quickly commandeered”). Peter moving to Australia, and the United States who were born in Buffalo, NY. also remembers a small military bible being also seemed an impossibility for them given Shattered by Glass included on one occasion. He recalls that by the quota system. Else and Leon decided that The memories of his childhood continue to this time the refugee children had become so Peter and Else would stay temporarily with haunt Peter. Kristallnacht has cut deeply into scrawny and miserable looking that the Amer- Else’s sister in Israel, while Leon would re- his psyche: “For many years I had a very ab- icans started distributing soy milk. “But not main in Shanghai and see what the situation normal reaction to the sound of broken glass. the kind that you can buy in a supermarket. would be like under the Communist regime. I never knew it, I never related […] it, I had no This was actually just soy beans just ground Else’s and Peter’s journey to Israel lasted idea what that was. Even as an adult. In grad- up […] with water. Disgusting stuff! I would about ten days and involved trips from city uate school I worked in a lab, and every once rather drink cod liver oil than that stuff. But it to city by airplane. On the last flight when in a while somebody [would drop] a beaker, helped! For all the time I was in the camp [i.e., the pilot announced they had entered Israeli and on one or two occasions I would have the Designated Area] my front teeth had just airspace, Else prompted Peter to take out his to go into the bathroom and put my head be- begun to grow out and they didn’t grow out accordion and play the Israeli national an- tween my legs and get my act back together 6 Points East again. And I never related it to anything. Then wanted to hear.” “hypothesis” he imparts to students: “If you when our oldest son […] became […] the age Peter returned to Shanghai in 2005. He had asked me what caused this whole Holocaust, I was—four years old—during Kristallnacht, I gone to his former house and had been trans- one of my hypotheses […] is that the young went into a clinical depressive state, so much ported back in time: “As I walked into the people are too obedient. You think that being so, that I needed psychiatric help. And the house, I grabbed hold of the banister, and the obedient is an asset and that’s something you physician, looking at my history, related that feel of the banister was identical from what it ought to praise young people for, and it’s not and suggested that that may be what today was sixty years before and brought back mem- that. You can be too obedient. And […] at the would be called PTSD, he suggested that ories, and the creek in the steps brought back Nuremberg Trials the universal defense was ‘I somehow in the back of my mind the expe- memories, […] It did a number between the was told to do it.’” Peter would rather that the rience of Kristallnacht was embedded. […] I ears [to] trigger these memories. […] Not all of next generation “not have this as a possible was in treatment for quite a while.” them were pleasant. […] It’s astonishing how defense.” This ultimately is the moral Peter About 20 or 25 years ago, Peter’s Shanghai much information is in there and it just takes tells school children: “Don’t unconditionally refugee experience started gradually to come a trigger to bring [memories] to the forefront.” do something someone else tells you to do, just because someone else tells you to do it.” back to him. It started when he was asked by Over the years Peter has gotten together with Although Peter tells his story and conveys this the NJIT to tell his story to students. Then he other former Shanghai Jewish refugees either moral, he ultimately does not think he is mak- was invited to speak to a Hebrew school for at large-scale reunions or more intimate gath- ing any meaningful contribution by telling his middle school children. He then started to be erings of friends. He has always been struck story. The current plight of the Syrian, Yeme- asked by the Holocaust Council of the Jewish by how differently people have turned out ni, Sudanese, Burmese, and other refugees Federation of Greater Metrowest, NJ, in Whip- from their Shanghai past. He believes anyone makes him frustrated and angry. He believes pany to speak to middle and high school stu- who does not realize this diversity of experi- the only difference separating these refugees dents and the occasional synagogue. The en- ence does not fully understand the history of from the Jewish refugees to be language and gagements started to increase more and more, the Shanghai Jews. To highlight this point, Pe- time. He states emphatically, “We should and Peter started to realize that whereas for ter talks about how he and a close friend of learn from this story [of the Shanghai Jews]. the longest time no one seemed to care much his are completely different aside from both But we haven’t learned.” about his Shanghai past, now everyone want- having been refugee children in Shanghai. ed to hear about it. Whereas his friend became a lawyer, Peter Peter Engler bears the scars of history and is a “You know, twenty years ago, if somebody became an engineer. Whereas his friend is reminder of how much the previous century asked me where I grew up, […] I would say very orthodox and recently welcomed his shattered the world like glass. Named after a ‘I grew up in Shanghai’ [and then they would 24th great-grandchild, Peter identifies himself fallen German soldier of the First World War, say] ‘oh, that’s interesting, how ‘bout the as a “remorseful, Jewish atheist” and has no plagued by the sounds of Kristallnacht and weather?’” Now everybody is suddenly inter- grandchildren, let alone great-grandchildren. brutal images of the Japanese occupation of ested in all this. Peter wants to know why this Peter explains, “We have nothing in common China, and remorseful of his “Colonialist piss is so, but for the life of him he cannot figure but our common experience in Shanghai, and pot” childhood, Peter sometimes questions out why. we’d walk through fire for one another.” the counsel Käthe Kollwitz gave to Else Engler on a staircase early in Hitler’s Third Reich. Peter’s wife, Dina, thinks the reason for the re- Doubts He has tried to find meaning in his life and cent interest may be that the European history Peter has spoken to many audiences about his convey some lessons from his experiences to of the Holocaust has “been done […] there is Shanghai experience. That audience is about children, but ultimately does not think he has so much out there” making the history of the to expand greatly given that his life story will made much of a difference. “I wish I could Shanghai Jews something new or novel. Per- be the subject of an episode in the new PBS pat myself on the back and say, ‘you’re doing haps it also has to do with the fact that it deals history series titled We’ll Meet Again, set to air something useful and meaningful’ but I don’t.” with China, and people would not necessari- in Winter 2018. He hopes that the producers of the We’ll Meet ly think of China as being a place of refuge. Peter often speaks to school children about his Again series will be able to make something Regarding China, Peter notes that the Chinese experience. He feels the task that lies before positive out of his story and that the younger government is very much interested in telling this generation is immense: “I’d like them to generation will break the chains of obedience the story and says “We have an explanation realize that my generation has left your gen- and somehow cultivate civilization in a lousy for that…we, the handful of four or five of us eration and certainly their generation such a globe. He admits, though, he has his doubts. [former Shanghai Jewish refugees] who get to- lousy globe, that they’ve got such a difficult gether and are still in touch, and our explana- Professor Kevin Ostoyich served as a Visiting task in front of them to make some, to bring tion is that the Chinese government is interest- Fellow at AICGS in Summer 2017. He is chair some civilization […] even to this country.” ed in fostering better economic relations with of the Department of History at Valparaiso He tries to convey to the students a message Israel. […] I was even interviewed [in 2015] by University (Valparaiso, IN). His research on about the dangers of obedience: “I often ask Chinese TV.” the history of the Shanghai Jews is being spon- permission of the teachers before I talk to al- sored by a research grant of the Sino-Judaic Peter explains that when it comes to the is- low me to tell the students about my ‘hypoth- Institute and the Wheat Ridge Ministries – sue of Jews finding refuge, one “ought to use esis’ that when you are asked [by someone in O.P. Kretzmann Memorial Fund Grant of Val- the word […] ‘Shanghai’ […] rather than […] authority] to do something you are uncomfort- paraiso University. The article is based on an ‘China,’ because Shanghai was this open port, able with, don’t immediately obey and don’t interview conducted on July 20, 2017. Further all the other ports were not open, [so the fact immediately say no, ask for an explanation.” details and clarifications were provided sub- that the Jews found refuge] can be attributed Although Peter does feel that he has an im- sequently by Professor Engler in correspon- thanks to the Japanese, who eventually locked portant story to tell, he often is afraid that dence with Professor Ostoyich. us up, not the Chinese. […] In this interview his story is just a series of anecdotes without with the Chinese TV, [the interviewer] keep The Pao Chia was a self-watch patrol that the any real “food for thought.” One story that saying ‘what do you have to say to the Chi- Japanese occupation forces made compulsory he thinks is particularly profound is the one nese people?’ and I said ‘Xiexie ni,’ ‘thank for male members of the stateless refugee com- about the German consul general procuring you’ in Chinese, but that’s not what she want- munity confined within the Designated Area. medicine that possibly saved his mother’s life ed to hear. She wanted me to laud China as a Peter describes himself as being Jewish by her- in Shanghai. “That’s a ‘food for thought’ [but] whole. And it wasn’t China […] Shanghai was itage. He says that if anyone ever asks him. his what does that mean?” For Peter, the mean- run by the [Shanghai] Municipal [Council] and religious affiliation he says he refers to himself ing speaks to the underlying importance of not the Chinese. They had no power whatso- as a “remorseful, Jewish atheist.” He explains, “I environment and authority in conditioning re- ever.” Peter says, “I didn’t tell her what she sponses. That is why he always returns to the (continued on page 10) Points East 7 Kaifeng Then and Now: date from the 14th and 15th C. Pictures paper cuts. She joined us to walk were not allowed to be taken but it did around the neighborhood and to the for- China Journal, 1982 not matter as the stones had been so mer location of the mikvah (or ancient By Barbara R. Stein worn that very little of the inscription well), which was the last remaining was readable. The curator said, how- item on the grounds of the original syn- [Barbara Stein visited Kaifeng in the ever, that there were four such stones, agogue first constructed in the 12th cen- summer of 1982 on a Henan China not three as the guidebook indicated. tury. It was filled in by local authorities Archaeological Study Tour organized in 2016. When we were there, a group by the Center for East Asian Studies, This afternoon we will drive down the of workmen appeared to be preparing to University of Kansas in cooperation main street of what was formerly the build something. with Zhengzhou University, China In- ghetto in Kaifeng. None of the inscrip- ternational Travel Service (Zhengzhou tion was in Hebrew. A young man from the neighborhood, Branch), and the University of Missouri. not Jewish but very interested in and After lunch, our first stop was a guild, knowledgeable about the topic of Jews The 34-member study group arrived in not a temple per se, but more a meet- in Kaifeng, and his parents came along. Shanghai May 30, 1982. While there inghouse constructed by the people He is in his last year of high school, aim- they visited Fudan University, the from three provinces. Today it is used ing for admission to Peking University Shanghai Museum and other cultural as a grade school. This was followed by (China’s top university) and spoke pret- sites, as well as the Pengpu Peoples’ a trip to the site of the old synagogue. ty good English. My wife speaks some Commune, which specializes in grow- Nothing is left there and no marker in- Chinese, very rusty, and not adequate ing vegetables. They travelled by over- dicates the past. A hospital has been for detailed conversation, so he was a night train to Kaifeng and visited the Fan built on the site but, nonetheless, I great help. Otherwise we were relying Pagoda, the Iron Pagoda, and the Drag- feel a sense of history, of roots. I took on my wife’s limited Chinese and Mic- on Temple. The tour continued in the Grant’s (Goodman) picture and he took rosoft Translator, so some of the details area along the Yellow River, cradle of mine. The next alley over was that of were not always clear. Chinese civilization, for the next eleven the former ghetto. The street sign trans- days. On June 14, tour members flew to lates to mean “road of the scriptures”, T. showed us a building where gold was Beijing to visit sites in and around the or some such thing. I took a picture of traded by a Jewish group, possibly the capital city for four days before the tour the sign and the alley. A group of peo- Shi family, photos of his grandfather’s officially ended. ple wanted to walk down the lane and grave with Star of David, etc. He said when I caught up with them I found there were about 2,000 people who can The following excerpted entry comes that Chae-jin (Lee) had asked a local trace their roots to Jewish ancestors, from Ms. Stein’s notes of her visit in Kai- boy if he knew of any descendants of and about 500 of those who identified feng. Ed.] Jews who might still live in the area. as Jewish. 26 Kaifeng Jews have made June 1st, Shanghai And sure enough, one woman still aliyah. exists. She has no artifacts and knows … After dinner we went to the train sta- nothing of Jewish history and culture, We had hoped to see Jewish artifacts in tion—16 hrs to Kaifeng. only that as a child she was told that the museum, but were told that these are no longer open to tourists. June 2nd, Kaifeng Guest House she was of Jewish ancestry. I took her picture. T. was more than willing to talk about Arrived in Kaifeng in time for lunch. We the Jewish community, their history, and are at the “very best” hotel in town! The A Visit to Kaifeng, Autumn their dreams, but unwilling to talk about food here, however, is much better than the recent government crackdown, or in Shanghai—not so greasy and with lots 2017 for that matter, anything related to the of veggies… By Poloni b. Poloni government. He only suggested that we June 3rd, Kaifeng Guest House talk to our friend who had introduced us [Poloni b. Poloni is a pseudonym for the when we got home, in order to under- author, who chooses to remain anony- …And finally we stopped at the Kaifeng stand the current situation. The situation mous given the current situation. Ed.] Museum. It was only after much nego- does not appear to have changed much tiation as it was not open to the public. My wife and I did get to Kaifeng just since foreign media outlets reported on We first viewed a courtyard with row af- for an overnight visit. Through a friend the tightened restrictions on the com- ter row of gravestones inscribed with the of my son who had spent the last few munity in 2016. bibliographies of the deceased. These years in China, we were able to meet had been removed from tombs in the Despite being less than clear about up with T., a descendant of the Jews area but had never been properly pre- many of the details, and the hints of dif- of Kaifeng. T. met us at our hotel for pared for display. After much nagging, a ficulties with the government, the day breakfast along with a friend and then curator was brought out who indicated with T. and the others in that neighbor- spent a good part of the day with us. to us two sets of stone tablets, purport- hood was certainly a highlight of our edly the stelae describing the building He took us to the location of the syn- recent stay in China, a true spiritual and the rebuilding of the temple in Kai- agogue on the ancient Jewish lane. journey. feng. Jews lived in Kaifeng during the There we met an older woman who Jin Dynasty (~1100 AD) and the tablets also keeps a small museum and makes 8 Points East PICTURES OF THE KAIFENG SUPPRESSION

The Jewish School Then The Synagogue Well Site Then

The Synagogue Well Site Now The Jewish School Now, (Closed) Points East 9 PICTURES OF THE KAIFENG SUPPRESSION

The Jewish School Then

The Merchant Guildhall Museum Exhibit on Kaifeng Jews Then

The Jewish School Now, (Closed) The Non Existent Exhibit Now 10 Points East habitation. But in the 1930s many Jewish in- locals not to celebrate Passover, and Sara- Shattered by Glass tellectuals promoted the project withvigour. shevskaya leafed through back issues of Biro- (continued from page 6) Jews travelled to Birobidzhan from inside bidzhan Shtern from the 1980s, pointing out am Jewish by heritage. I am an atheist, because the Soviet Union, western Europe and even that although the newspaper was in Yiddish I cannot believe in a higher being that controls farther afield – infected with a revolutionary it contained no discussion of either Judaism my destiny. And I’m remorseful because I wish fervour that gave a Jewish flavour to the uto- or Israel. I could. That is my outlook on life, and I don’t pianism that characterized many of those in- With so few Jews now living in Birobidzhan… mind publicizing that.” volved in the early Bolshevik project. the Jewish cultural centre gives the impression The optimism was short-lived. During Stalin’s of a Jewish Disneyland rather than of a living, purges, much of the local party leadership was breathing community. executed and expressions of Jewishness were If the local government gets its way, more Revival of a Soviet Zion: Biro- discouraged. After the second world war, the Jews would move to the region, especially bidzhan celebrates its Jewish region saw a new influx of Jews who had es- some of those who left in the early 1990s. heritage caped the Holocaust and had no homes to Rostislav Goldstein, the senator for the region which to return. A new wave of antisemitic in Russia’s upper house of parliament, said Bi- By Shaun Walker purges was followed by decades of disinterest robidzhan’s proximity to China could provide in Jewish identity. Excerpted from https://www.theguardian. advantages for Israeli businesses wanting to com/world/2017/sep/27/revival-of-a-soviet-zi- When the Soviet Union collapsed, cheap crack the Chinese market. on-birobidzhan-celebrates-its-jewish-heritage goods from across the border in China flood- He said he wanted to create a local version 27 September 2017 ed the market and economic misery ensued, of the aliyah, the name given to the process as in almost all the former Soviet lands. But In front of Birobidzhan’s railway station, loud- of attracting Jews from the diaspora to Israel. unlike most other Soviet citizens, the Jews speakers blast out Yiddish-language ballads “We have one big advantage over Israel, and had a way out from the misery: to leave for while hundreds of schoolchildren in ersatz that’s that there are no Arabs shooting here,” Israel. Iosif Brener, a local historian, estimates folk costumes dance circles around the me- he said. that 20,000 Jews left Birobidzhan in the late norah monument that dominates the square. 1980s and early 1990s, the majority for Israel. Livental, the local governor, was rather more Across town, labourers are building a kosher circumspect, but said his personal chauffeur restaurant, the city’s first. A two-storey build- Alexander Levintal, the region’s governor, had emigrated from Birobidzhan to Israel in ing under construction next door will house said Birobidzhan was still suffering from the the early 1990s but recently returned as he a mikvah… effects of mass Jewish emigration. “When could not get used to the local mentality. “If the Soviet Union collapsed and the borders The Jewish renaissance in Birobidzhan is the the economic situation here improves then opened, about 70 families of Jewish doctors more people will want to return,” he said. latest chapter in the surreal tale of this would- left, and medicine in the region has still not be Siberian Zion, founded nearly a century fully recovered,” he said. Riss, the rabbi, ago. Nestled on the border with China, seven said that among the few thousand Jews who timezones east of Moscow and a six-day jour- remained there was little Jewish cultural iden- Unexpected Learnings from ney away on the Trans-Siberian railway, the re- tity. “Our community has lost theunderstand- the Jewish Communities in Asia gion was first settled en masse during the early ing of what it means to be Jewish.” 1930s as part of a plan to create a Soviet home- Reprinted from ejewishphilanthropy.com 24 land for Jews during the rule of Joseph Stalin. Birobidzhan Stern, the town’s Yiddish-lan- December 2017 guage newspaper, is now published in Rus- By Simone Szalmuk-Singer Its story since then has reflected the vicissi- sian but has two pages in Yiddish each week. tudes of Soviet and then modern Russian his- The paper’s editor, Elena Sarashevskaya, fell Jewish identity, communal continuity and Is- tory. The population of the area, still officially in love with Yiddish as a child, studied it at rael’s image abroad, are arguably some of the called the Jewish Autonomous Region, is bare- university and now writes the Yiddish pages. most important topics in the Jewish world to- ly 1% Jewish, but the authorities are trying to day. Connecting with the Jewish communities cultivate the memory of Jewish customs and Sarashevskaya, who is not Jewish, said she in- in Asia provides fascinating perspective and history among the residents and even hope to tended to go on publishing the Yiddish pages clarity in these areas. attract new Jewish migrants. even though most people in the city could not The recent Asia and the Jewish World: In- read them. “Yiddish is imbued with a real life- tergenerational Leadership Conversation in Eli Riss, Birobidzhan’s 27-year-old rabbi, said force; maybe it’s linked to the suffering of the the local Jewish community currently num- Hong Kong, was the fourth annual Asia gath- Jewish people,” she said. “People are always ering convened by the Pratt Foundation, Jew- bered 3,000 at most, and only 30 were reg- pronouncing Yiddish dead but it’s still very ish Funders’ Network and Australian Jewish ulars at the synagogue. His parents emigrated much alive, it’s always finding new ways to Funders. Philanthropists, business people and to Israel when he was young but after religious survive.” communal leaders from Asia, Israel, Europe, schooling he returned to his birthplace as a In Birobidzhan there is certainly an attempt the United States and Australia came together rabbi… to keep Yiddish and other elements of Jewish to continue the conversations that occurred When the area was officially established as the heritage alive. Street signs use both Russian previously in Hong Kong, Singapore and Jewish Autonomous Region in 1934, 14 years and Yiddish, and one school still offers Yid- Shanghai. Each successive year the richness before the foundation of Israel, it was the first dish lessons, although the university Yiddish of insights gained and connections forged, explicitly Jewish territory in modern times. By provide endless opportunities for the global faculty closed down a few years ago. A four- Jewish landscape. 1939, 18% of the population was Jewish and day Jewish cultural festival held this month in Birobidzhan had a Yiddish theatre and Yiddish the city featured a concert from a cantor of Vi- The Jewish communities in Asia comprise a newspaper. The work of the police depart- enna’s main synagogue and the opening of an wonderful tapestry of Jews from all over the ment, courts and cityadministration was car- exhibition on the city’s history, organised by world. Many come to Asia to pursue career ried out at least partially in Yiddish. opportunities. In recent years, the success of an Austrian diplomat and featuring Russian, Israeli technology and innovation has led to Some historians have suggested the Birobid- American and Israeli artists… increasing growth in these communities. zhan project was tainted with antisemitism One of the stranger parts of Birobidzhan’s sto- Sam Lipski, CEO of the Pratt Foundation, ob- from the very beginning, creating a “dumping ry is that although it was meant as a Jewish served that “it has become apparent that the ground” for Jews thousands of miles from any statelet, religious Judaism was alien to Soviet ‘global Jewish mainstream’ remains largely areas where they had traditionally lived and in atheism and thus frowned upon. The local isolated from the small but growing and vi- terrain that was miserably difficult for human museum contains Yiddish leaflets warning brant Jewish communities in the Asian region. Points East 11 Not the other way around.” Shing who believes that “education is the tool work and bystanders alike. By connecting with this thriving part of the to shape destiny … it is the key to close the Lehman taught us how to build social capital Jewish world, we open ourselves up to so social gap.” Ms Chau explained that the Tech- in the new digital age. Whereas formerly one many learnings and possibilities. nion impressed the Li Ka Shing Foundation would rely on religion, family and geography, more than any other institution in the world today the new model relies on vision, shared 1. Pluralism and tolerance are key factors in as in China they were accustomed to finding maintaining Jewish Identity language and immersive experiences with au- answers to existing questions whereas at the thenticity, intimacy and vulnerability. The conference opened with a panel of young Technion they sought answers to questions entrepreneurs living and working in Shang- “we don’t know yet.” The Asia gatherings are facilitating the build- hai, Beijing and Hong Kong. They described Ronnie C. Chan, Chairman of Hang Lung ing of social capital. From year to year, con- the unexpected discovery and development Properties, captivated the conference with his nections are made, learnings exchanged and of their Jewish identity. They confessed that knowledge of Israel acquired from leading a global community is built. The anecdotes they found it easier to be a Jew in Asia than business delegations to Israel where he intro- abound. Motivated by the 2016 conference at ‘home’ in Israel, the US or Canada as the duces top Chinese business leaders and philan- in Shanghai, participants from Shanghai estab- communities in Asia are generally pluralistic, thropists to Israelis from different sectors. His lished a Jewish Young Entrepreneurs Group successfully fostering collaboration between enthusiasm and passion for the country’s inno- where older community members met with different streams of Judaism. vative culture has been pivotal in generating newer members to share experiences in Chi- Larger Jewish communities and Israel can significant Chinese investment in Israel’s social na. A young American participant, Abe So- learn from this. Extensive Jewish infrastructure and business sectors. rock living in Beijing, ended up on a Jewish will fail to foster Jewish identity if the environ- leadership experience in Israel at the illustri- The relationship and the ‘rock star’ status Israel ous ROI Summit, where he was then inspired ment is divisive and polarising. By contrast, holds in Asia has been cultivated over recent a collaborative, tolerant and welcoming en- to have a bar mitzvah as an adult having not decades. It reflects the power of a positive Is- had one at 13. vironment is more conducive to developing rael narrative embedded in an innovation cul- and enhancing a sense of Jewish identity and ture. At a time when Jewish engagement and In the days following this year’s conference, engagement. connectivity to Israel are declining, non-Jewish as a result of new connections made, Yaakov 2. Providing impactful leadership opportuni- Chinese engagement is increasing. The rela- Lehman from Israel enlightened the students ties leads to more engagement tionship between Israel and the diaspora is a at Carmel College in Hong Kong about the With strong Jewish identity comes a desire to controversial topic which is outside the param- value of social capital. Hong Kong journalist be communally active. Many of these young eters of this article except to say that there is Erica Lyons provided a wider audience an in- entrepreneurs were excited about their ‘com- so much more potential for investment, philan- sight into Jewish life in Hong Kong by publish- munal’ potential in Asia. They recounted how thropy and engagement with Israel when the ing her work on the Australian platform Jewish ‘back home’ stepping up for communal lead- focus is on a positive narrative where Israel is Women of Words. The inaugural Gen17 Asia ership roles was not enticing as they had to not portrayed as a never-ending emergency survey commenced. This was adapted from join the ‘bottom’ of the pile and wait twenty, cause but rather, a partner for innovation and the Australian Gen17 survey of the Jewish thirty or forty years to climb to the top where solving world problems. community in Australia. The information gath- impact was possible. In the smaller commu- 4. The power to grow comes from those who ered will enhance our understanding of local nities of Asia, young people often have in- seek the growth Jewish populations in Asia, their backgrounds, creased opportunity to have impact earlier. level of Jewish education, values, level of re- The case study of Moishe House guides us on ligious observance and views on the impor- It is not uncommon for leaders of larger Jew- how to bring the Jewish communities in Asia tance of Jewish continuity and Israel. ish communities to bemoan the lack of young together and connect them to world Jewry by people willing to assume community posi- providing a template of how programming At this year’s conference, the presence, en- tions. Perhaps we would do well to reflect on and experiences can be transferred effectively thusiasm and leadership of young people was how communal structures and leadership de- across communities. It shows that global pro- palpable. They are pushing for action and velopment planning, or lack of, may be acting grams can be adapted to local realities; every change and stepping up to represent the new as a barrier for future generations to meaning- community does not need to ‘reinvent the face of their communities. Global in outlook fully engage. wheel’ but rather, can benefit from existing and “digital natives,” they will be the engine 3. Israel as the Start–up Nation is a very suc- global initiatives. of a robust Jewish network that links Asia with cessful narrative for investment, philanthro- David Cygielman Founder and CEO and Jim the Jewish World. Together, we laid the foun- py and engagement. Heeger, Chair of Moishe House described how dations of a framework for how a regional net- work in Asia could develop and operate. We Asia has become a hub of Israeli business activ- Moishe House grew from four friends choos- ing to live together in 2006 to 108 houses in will now work towards building a roadmap to ity. Israel’s image in these countries is centred move forward. around innovation and hi-tech. Israel-focused 27 countries around the world, serving more investment and philanthropy from China and than 50,000 young adults each year through Whilst the global Jewish community can learn Hong Kong is booming. The relationships with over 8500 programs. The key to its scaling suc- from the communities in Asia, the possibilities top Chinese philanthropists, the Li Ka Shing cess is that each house was generated by the for shared learning, impactful philanthropy Foundation and Ronnie C. Chan illustrate the community who need to want it, be prepared and investment will be multiplied by building enormous opportunities for cooperation and to fund it and put in the time required to run it. stronger connections with and between the potential for far-reaching impact. The success of Moishe House is inspiring and communities in Asia. Weaving meaningful The Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of illustrates what is possible with philanthropic connections does not happen overnight, it is Technology campus in Shantou in the Guang- vision, as well as highlighting the importance a long term process which relies on visionary dong Province of South Eastern China is an of the will and commitment of the people on philanthropy as well as a local groundswell of outstanding example of collaboration. This the ground. will to convert the enthusiasm of the confer- partnership is a powerful combination of the in- 5. Building social capital around the globe – ence into an exciting new reality for the whole novative and entrepreneurial spirit of Israel and anything is possible Jewish world. the scale of philanthropic resources in China. Yaakov Lehman, an Israel based educator and Simone Szalmuk-Singer is Co-Chair of the Solina Chau, Executive Director of the Li Ka entrepreneur inspired with his presentation on Australian Jewish Funders, the network of Shing Foundation and Professor Peretz La- the relevance of social capital. He defined ‘so- Jewish funders inspiring effective philanthro- vie, President of the Technion, described the cial capital’ as the collective value of all social py and strengthening community. She is also journey that led to a transformational $US130 relationships within a network, as indicated by a Board Director of Jewish Care Victoria and million gift to the Technion by the Li Ka Shing the individual and collective benefits generat- Co-Founder of Jewish Women of Words. She Foundation. Ms Chau referred to the deep ed from the trust, mutual reciprocity, knowl- may be contacted at simone@szalmuk-singer. connection with and understanding of Jew- edge transfer and collaboration. Social capital com.au. ish values and culture that has inspired Li Ka creates benefits for both those within the net- 12 Points East The International the work has impacted literally hundreds of Jewish Identity in China (continued from page 1) thousands of Christians and Jews through- (continued from page 1) out the earth. the earth through Israel. Zhang Xingwang also maintains that the de- In 1989 the Soviet Union did not have dip- scendents of the Kaifeng Jews had forgotten This vehicle has been constantly challenged lomatic relations with Israel and there were the Jewish culture. The original Kaifeng de- by the powers of darkness. For them the no direct flights between the two countries. scendents had congregated near the Teach- equation has been simple; destroy Israel Dr. Ulla Järvilehto, a medical doctor and ing Alley (jiao hutong) but after 1958, they and you effectively destroy the purpose of member of the Finnish parliament, sought God for the world. Thankfully Isaiah de- moved out. Only the Zhao family remained official permission from the governments there. Looking at this from a daily life per- clares that this “day” of warfare is coming of Finland and Israel to bring the Russian to an end. On that “day” all the world will spective, they were no longer observing the Jews to Israel through her country. Ulla Jewish tradition. This year [2002] is the first know that Israel existed for their blessing became the founder of the ICEJ branch in and not their cursing. time that [the Jews] have celebrated Passover. Finland and over the years worked tirelessly Although most of the [Jews] are still in the The Prophet Isaiah says, “Speak comfort to to establish and maintain the Finnish transit habit of not eating pork, there is no Jewish program… By March 10, 1990, the Finnish Jerusalem”. Another translation of the same person who is true to the image of “the sect aliyah route was officially opened with the verse says, “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem”. that extracts the sinew”3 of the sheep. They approval of both governments, and it has re- A people in peace, joy, victory and bless- forgot the traditional customs and therefore mained open since then, even when other ing do not need the words of comfort or came here [to Nanjing] to study Hebrew hop- tenderness. No, it is a people in perpetual routes closed down during the Gulf War in 1991. On May 28, 1990, in the early hours ing to return and search for their historical trauma and conflict that need comfort and Jewish memories. tenderness. Sadly church history has been of the morning, the first Christian-sponsored anything but this! Their words have been flight of Soviet Jews arrived at Israel’s Ben [Meanwhile, in the class] these Jewish de- harsh, bitter and reviling. Thankfully we at Gurion Airport… scendents repeated after the teacher a He- the International Christian Embassy Jerusa- In total, the Christian Embassy assisted more brew prayer: “In front of the Lord we sing lem heard an exhortation from heaven in than 3,000 Jews to make aliyah in 2017, a new song—Hallelujah!” Everybody made 1980 that called upon us to “speak comfort including from Ethiopia (1,200), Russia great effort to have the correct pronunciation to Jerusalem”…As Israel moves steadily but (1,100), Belarus (800), Ukraine (70), and as each one hoped to enunciate every single surely to her God-given destiny, we are de- India (50), among other countries. Since word of the hard-to-study Hebrew sentence. termined to “stay the course” with her. its founding in 1980, the ICEJ has helped With Illegal Emigration the [Jin] Family Aiding Aliyah: The Finnish Transit nearly 140,000 Jews return to their biblical Stretches the Boundaries homeland, or roughly ten percent of all Jews From its inception the ICEJ has had two When the reporter asked Zhang Xingwang who have made aliyah in that time period. dominant goals; first, to serve as a conduit about the [Jin] family who had already immi- of comfort and blessing through which This represents an investment of over $50 grated to Israel, he responded without hes- believers in the nations could show their million in aliyah efforts, with most of the as- itation: “They are different from us, we are love and support to Israel. Second, the ICEJ sisted Jewish olim coming from the former patriots.” He also admitted that there were stands as a prophetic voice to this genera- Soviet republics but also thousands from Kaifeng Jews who ran away illegally but this tion concerning God’s unwavering plan to Western Europe, North and South Ameri- was a matter of purely individual behavior. fulfill His covenant promises to the fathers ca, the Bnei Menashe from India, and the He also said that just because this family of Israel. Namely, that He would ultimately Kaifeng Jews from China. All of these efforts name was Jin, it does not mean that we study restore the children of Israel to their rightful have been made in close coordination with Hebrew for the pleasure of the Jin family. land and sequentially to a right relationship the Jewish Agency and Keren Hayesod. “First we are Chinese, but because we have with their God, the God of Israel. “The great ingathering of the Jewish people Jewish bloodlines, we are Chinese with Jew- For the past three decades the personnel to Eretz Israel is still continuing and it is a ish characteristics. We teach this to our chil- of the Christian Embassy, in Jerusalem and real privilege and joy for our organization to dren: that first of all we love our country.” worldwide, have worked diligently to ac- play such a central role in this historic return Outsiders need to understand that this is a complish these God-ordained responsibili- to Zion,” said Dr. Jürgen Bühler, President (continued on page 13) ties. Even in the face of consistent struggle, of the ICEJ.

BOOK NOOK Chinese characters cluding Asian Jewish Life and Sephardic that denoted Israel- Horizons. Weisz was born in Romania, A History Of The Kaifeng Isra- ites in ancient Chi- educated in Europe, Israel, US and Taiwan, elites: Encounters with Israel- nese literature and, is fluent in several languages. based on these, the ites in Chinese Literature author documents For more information or to contact the au- thor, visit www.outskirtspress.com/kaifeng By Tiberiu Weisz their presence and activities. Accord- Publisher: Outskirts Press ISBN: ing to the author, 9781478789529 Paperback: 280 pages early Chinese sages Documentary Tells Tale of Suggested retail price of $29.95. Available quoted and made Jewish Refugees to China from the publisher, on Amazon and Barnes references to these & Noble, or from your local bookstore. Israelites while later By Amy Spiro This is Tiberiu Weisz’s third book in a trilogy literature treated them as natives. on Judaism and China. Excerpted from http://www.jpost.com/Not- Tiberiu Weisz is an academic, business con- Just-News/Documentary-tells-tale-of-Jew- The book traces the presence in Chinese lit- sultant and author. He writes about cross-cul- ish-refugees-who-fled-to-China-506522, 2 erature of a small group of Jews who migrat- tural issues linking China and Judaism. His October 2017 ed and settled in China. Weisz identifies the articles have been published worldwide in- (continued on page 13) Points East 13 sensitive issue. Zhang Xingwang illustrated test for their DNA in the 1980s, the proof On the fourth floor of the Kaifeng Museum this point: “We were the little birds in the came back that she had the same DNA trac- is the Jewish Department, and to gain admis- forest, without worries and concerns. Later es as an Iraqi Jew. She has no understanding sion one needs to apply in advance. Fortu- as the cats [hunters] became numerous, we of Judaism and even less of the Bible. But nately, the gatekeeper was there and asked saw the guns’ fowling pieces and ran. Now, when she was asked about the Palestin- the guide to take the reporter to the fourth many people are looking for us both from ian-Israeli conflict, she said: “Of course we floor, on condition that she take no pictures China and abroad.” He repeatedly stated are on the side of Israel.” nor make any recording. On display in the that the majority of the Kaifeng Jewish de- The Jin family obviously went one step fur- museum is an extremely important memorial scendents are patriots… ther [in their quest] of their ancestors’ tradi- engraving, the original stone stele of “The Re- Zhang Xingwang explained the value of the tion. According to reports, when Jin Xiaojin, cord of the Rebuilding of the Pure and Truth Jewish presence in China: “The Kaifeng Jew- who worked at the Institute for Minority Re- Temple” and “The Record in Honor of the ish community has an impact on the world. search, found out in the 1980s that he was Daojing Temple.”5 The floor was very dark They often receive Jews from foreign coun- of Jewish descent, he sent his daughter Qu and very humid and the mood was somber. tries and from Israel. The Israelis consider Yian, who at the time was a reporter in Bei- Due to the declining number of visitors, Zeng the Jews of Kaifeng especially important, be- jing, to Los Angeles to study Judaism. Guangqing, the head of the department, told the 21st-Century World reporter that the Kai- cause it serves a testimony to the friendship The Latest Jewish Records between China and Israel. We are saying feng Jews were a historical phenomenon and that the Chinese people are good toward Kaifeng is an old city; its economy natural- that there is no Jewish minority among the 56 the Jews; they do not discriminate against ly cannot be compared to the coastal area. national minorities in China. But of course the Jews. Living circumstances in Kaifeng Song Nushi, who works for the city Migra- the reporter does know this. are favorable, and the Jews can survive and tion Assistance Bureau, said that, because of The local Kaifeng Jewish descendents, how- flourish for another thousand years.” In con- the high unemployment rate, many people ever, welcomed the publicity [offered by the clusion, he said, “it is not important wheth- considered going to work abroad, and last reporter]. Li Suisheng’s wife bought a water- er or not the government recognizes us as year a number of people asked about Israel. melon to serve the reporter while she showed Jews, nor is it important that the census can- Zhang Xingwang directed the reporter to her two sets of original census documents as not be changed, what is important is that we the Teaching Alley (jiao hutong). That place proof of their nationality. The nationality of feel that we are Jews in our hearts. Neither is marked on the map as the ”remnants of Li Suisheng was clearly marked “Jew” in the this nor the next generation will forget that the Jewish Synagogue” but the original syn- old Red Book.6 The new census is handwrit- we are Jews.” agogue site has been replaced by the Peo- ten and has the word “Jew” for Li Suisheng But the Young Generation of Jews Has a ples’ Number Four Hospital and the only and his daughter, but a closer look at the cen- Different View of Their Jewish Identity historical marker is an ancient well in the sus record of Li Suisheng shows that there is hospital boiler room. a trace of change. His wife explained that the At the Hebrew school [in Nanjing] was an- Cui Shuping, a widow of a Jewish descen- census official wrote it wrong and he imme- other female student, majoring in Interna- diately corrected it. tional Relations at the Eluosi Mosque.4 Her dent, lives on the southern side of the Teach- name is Shi Han, a second year student who ing Alley. She is a Han Chinese but her late Officially, Neither Country Recognizes used the summer vacation to go to Nanjing husband Zhao Pingyu was of Jewish de- Them as Jews University to study Jewish culture. Although scent. Every day she sees local and foreign The reporter followed up with the census her [maternal] grandfather was a representa- visitors. On the table in the house, there is registration office. The People’s Police pulled tive of the Jewish descendents at the Beijing a candleholder and a “Great Six Star” (Ma- up the record of Li Suisheng on the comput- [festivities] in 1952, she has no deep histor- gen David) paper-cut window decoration er and the reporter could see on the screen ical affiliation to Judaism and her interest in that her daughter had cut out and put in the that the nationality of the three members of this class is mostly curiosity. “I rarely men- framed mirror. She told the reporter that the the Li clan is Han Chinese. The deputy direc- tion that I am Jewish; only when classmates paper cut is both a decoration and a remind- tor explained that most of the new census is come over to my house and ask about the er. On the sides of the door are hung two computerized but the transfer [to computer- few books and the pictures in the house, I traditional Chinese scrolls designated for ized system] occurred while the census was tell them that I am a descendent of Jews.” peace. Apart for these reminders, her house taken. At the time, the software was not se- When the government allowed [the Jews] to is no different from that of her neighbors. cure and therefore Li Suisheng’s registry was handwritten. But he added that the comput- erized system has only two nationalities Han BOOK NOOK (continued from page 12) cludes interviews with refugees themselves, or Muslims. China has 56 nationalities and “Above the Drowning Sea,” directed by Chinese residents who aided the newcomers Jews are not among them. Rene Balcer - who is known for his work on and animation which tells some of the stories Not only the local government did not rec- Law and Order and Law and Order: Crimi- from 75 years ago… ognize them as Jews, but when the reporter nal Intent - premiered last week at the JCC went to the Office of Migration of the Foreign in Manhattan. It will play at the Hot Springs Balcer co-produced the film with his wife, Ministry [in Beijing] inquiring about the ap- Documentary Film Festival next week and Carolyn Hsu-Balcer…At a post-screening dis- plication of the Jin family to Israel, an official then head to the Hong Kong Jewish Film cussion at The Asia Society in New York on at the Public Documentation Office admitted Festival in November. Thursday night, Balcer noted how the story that in 1996 the local government made an of Above the Drowning Sea still has such rel- error issuing those certificates. At the time, The film, narrated by Julianna Margulies evance today. the Public Notary Office issued individual (The Good Wife) and Tony Goldwyn (Scan- IDs that did not constitute legal recognition dal), tells the story of “the courageous in- “They always say this is a nation of immi- of the Jews.7 Later the Public Notary Office revoked the Jewish certificates and since tervention of Ho Feng Shan, the Chinese grants. Well this is a planet of immigrants, of refugees, and there’s always movements then IDs with “Jew” on them were illegal. Consul in Vienna who defied his own gov- According to the official, China has only 56 ernment and braved the Gestapo to issue of populations,” he said. “Because, at some point, whether its 50 years ago, 10 weeks ago minorities, and the Jewish minority is not visas to the refugees.” among them. or 1,000 years ago, somebody told our ances- The 90-minute film, shot in six countries, in- tors yes you can stay here, and it’s OK.” [The reporter went] to the Israeli Consulate in 14 Points East Beijing located on the 4th floor of the West the descendents of the Kaifeng Jews. But the maintained that there are only 56 minorities Trade Center building. The response from outbreak of World War II shelved the issue; in China, and Jews were not among them, yet the Israeli Consulate was the same. The Pub- they [the Jews] faced other disasters in the the [same article] also protected their rights to lic Relations Officer told 21st Century World world. At the time there were several Kai- preserve their traditional customs. that the Israeli Consulate recognizes only feng Jews who went to Shanghai and were 21st Century World: Now it appears that the the legal procedure of the Foreign Ministry well received by the Shanghai Jewish com- Kaifeng Jewish descendents want to immi- and does not regard the Jewish certificates munity, they also underwent circumcision, grate to Israel, how do you look at this? as legal. He also said that the Consulate had but afterward there were no more attempts not issued immigration certificates to any to restore the tradition. Xu Xin: In the 1990s, the Kaifeng descendents Jewish descendents. became interested in immigration. Among 21st Century World: The descendents of the Seven Surnames of the Kaifeng Jews, the Though neither country admits officially that the Kaifeng Jews called themselves Jews in Jin family went to Beijing and asked to immi- they are Jews, a few organizations assist the the past, what is your view about this ques- grate. The Consulate of Israel, however, re- Kaifeng descendents to return to their tradi- tion? fused to consider their application because of tional culture. Chou Cailian, a Chinese Ca- Xu Xin: After the end of the 19th century, the Law of Return. Then they [the Jin’s] went nadian, helped many Chinese minority poor there were no Jewish descendents in Kai- to Israel from a third country (from Russia to children with education. Since he [Chou] feng, but some people followed the tradi- Finland and to Israel). My understanding is suspects that his great-grandmother was of tion and called themselves Jews. The Kai- that a Christian organization helped them. Jewish descent, he had helped several Jew- feng Jews followed the patrilineal tradition, But, I doubt that they can become eligible to ish descendents of Kaifeng. He financed that is, if the father was Jewish, the offspring be Israelis according to the Law of Return un- the education of fourteen Kaifeng Jewish were Jewish, too, and they used the father’s less they convert…Most Chinese do not un- descendents; among them was Lijing, Li surname. In the 1920 census, during the Re- derstand Israel; they think that immigration is Suisheng’s daughter, who just recently had publican Period [1911-1949] a few Kaifeng good. But, I tell them straightforwardly that received a scholarship. In March of this year, descendents wrote “Jew” as their nationali- immigration is a difficult affair. I do not ap- Chou Cailian invited the families of the de- ty affiliation. They did so out of conviction prove of immigration, they do not speak the scendents to a restaurant to celebrate Pass- of historical loyalty and not due to political language, they have no skills and life in Israel over. At the same time, other organizations or economic aspirations. Even on the 1952 is very difficult. also assist the Kaifeng Jewish descendents to census [form], some Kaifeng Jewish descen- immigrate to Israel. The Jin family only re- Special correspondent An Tifa reports from dents wrote “Jew” [as their nationality] even Jerusalem: cently immigrated to Israel with the help of though there were not many [who observed] such an organization… Jewish tradition at the time, but in that gen- Since 1986, many foreign and Chinese vis- Are the Kaifeng Jewish descendents Jews? eration, people were permitted to determine itors have come to Kaifeng to interview L. (I use the name L. because the interviewee To clarify this question, the reporter inter- their own religious affiliation. The census did not require any proof of ancestry or na- did not agree to use the real name),8 and viewed Professor Xu Xin from the Nanjing the descendents of the Kaifeng Jews. After Jewish Cultural Center. tionality; descendents knew the origin of their ancestors. This kind of “Jew” was actu- the establishment of relations between Chi- 21st Century World: The Jews of Kaifeng ally [a Jew] in a cultural sense. Interestingly, na and Israel in 1992, these kinds of inter- are a historical incident. But, from an Is- the descendents of the Kaifeng Jews based views increased daily. And L.’s name started raeli standpoint, after some descendents of their being Jews on the tradition, but other to appear in a few places both in China and the Jews of Kaifeng immigrated to Israel, it people claim that they are not [Jewish]. This abroad. An unexpected opportunity in 1999 suddenly became reality. Could you put the is strange because no other minority, not the changed the fate of L. At the beginning of issue of the Kaifeng Jews in simple terms for Han Chinese nor the Muslims are required that year, L. received assistance from an or- us? to prove their [affiliation], so why are the ganization that in the 1920s started to help Xu Xin: The issue of the Kaifeng Jews as was Kaifeng Jews? overseas Jews to immigrate to Israel, and they talked about in China in the past actually expressed their willingness to assist L. to be 21st Century World: But according to the the first Kaifeng Jew to immigrate to Israel. referred to the remnant of the historical Kai- Law of Return, they are not Jews. feng Jews…After the Opium War in 1850, Once the reporter met L. she asked: “Why two Chinese missionaries from Shanghai Xu Xin: That is correct. I was talking about do you want to immigrate to Israel?” were sent to Kaifeng and they wrote a report Jews in a cultural sense. Strictly speaking, I do not regard them as Jews, and that refers L. said, “Since I was little, I have known that that was widely publicized in the West. Ac- I was Jewish. When I was little, my mother cording to that report, there was no longer a to the “Jewish descendents”, too. I think that it is ludicrous that they want to immigrate to told me that one branch of [the family] is Chi- rabbi in Kaifeng and they estimated that [the nese and one branch is Israelite. Reaching community had been without a rabbi] or a Israel. According to the Law of Return, only if the mother is Jewish, or the individual is out to the other branch has been one of my successor since the beginning of the 19th dreams since childhood.” century. Thus, they [Jews] ceased to observe converted to Judaism, he or she is a Jew. the traditional customs because the role of Based on these standards, they are obvi- After 1999, L. sought the path of immi- the rabbi was very important in Judaism. ously not Jews, because the descendents of gration, but that path was not successful. It the Kaifeng Jews follow the father’s lineage. can be said that behind each emigration The Kaifeng Temple had been in disrepair But this is a legal definition, and one cannot from China, there is a complicated story. But for a long time, and it was evident that the suppress these peoples’ traditional right to in the end they achieved their goal. By the Jews stopped going to the synagogue. Since call themselves Jews. We should not forget year 2000, they obtained the various permits, the synagogue belonged to the descendents that during biblical times the Jewish lineage spent four months in Finland, and went to of the Kaifeng Jews, the descendents sold was patrilineal and only after the exile [586 live in Israel. the building in 1914. This attracted the at- BCE], the standard changed to matrilineal. tention of the Shanghai Jews. Jews have a L. explained the process of immigrating to tradition of helping each other, and when When China examined its definition of Israel as a Jews. “First, I needed to prove they learned that the Kaifeng descendents national minorities, the status of the Jewish that I was a Jew. Though I wrote ‘Jew’ as my sold the Torah scrolls, they were very sad. minority was also considered. In 1952, two nationality in the 1996 census, officials told They established an “Association for the Aid delegates from Kaifeng represented the Jews me that I had to write either Han or Muslim of the Kaifeng Jews” and wrote letters to the in the National Minority Day Celebration. and could not continue to write ‘Jew’ as na- world Jewish communities calling for saving But in 1953 the Central Committee reaf- tionality because there was no such name firmed the article [of the basic laws] that Points East 15 among the 56 names. Then I had to pro- a fourth grade official rank in the court. The About the Translator duce an official notarized letter. I went to household was rather prosperous. There Tiberiu Weisz is the author of three books the Foreign Ministry in Beijing where I was were also rather many Jews in old Kaifeng about China and the Jews: The Kaifeng Stone told that [such] a notarized letter needed to who observed the tradition. We had our Inscriptions: The Legacy of the Jewish Com- be approved by higher levels at the Minis- own family tree, which also was a proof that munity in Ancient China (iUniverse, 2006), try. After two weeks, I received the approval we were Jewish. Before the Cultural Revo- The Covenant and the Mandate of Heaven: of the higher officials in the ministry, and in lution [1966-1969], our family still kept the An In-depth Comparative Cultural Study of addition, it was also stamped by the Israeli imperial tablet10 but later we lent it to a dis- Judaism and China (iUniverse, 2008), and Consulate.” L. continued: “If one wants to play in Beijing. It was never returned to us, the new A History Of The Kaifeng Israelites: maintain Jewish identity one needs also to and we lost its trace. There are also stone Encounters with Israelites in Chinese Litera- obtain a notarized [letter] from one’s rabbi. inscriptions left in Kaifeng that had recorded ture (Outskirts Press, 2017). But there are no rabbis in China. The few the deeds of our ancestors. The graves of our Jewish descendents ‘perhaps several thou- Jewish ancestors near Kaifeng are still are in Translator’s Notes sand people altogether’ are widely scattered good conditions. There are approximately 1 Zhang Xingwang was the spokesman for the Jewish throughout China and very few of them are 30 tombs. Buried among the bodies of nine community in Kaifeng and also goes by the Hebrew observant Jews.” generations is [the grave] of my elder brother name of Moshe. He is very outspoken about Judaism Once the identity is recognized, traveling who recently passed away. in China and, here, he expressed his views to a Chi- becomes a question of expenses. According On the door of our house, we had a spe- nese reporter. He is a physical education teacher and a to the records, the aid society who helped cial Jewish sign that we touched when we Wushu (martial arts) coach at a high school in Kaifeng. them emigrate, had already taken into ac- entered or left the house. It was a sign of ‘to He is also member of the Chinese Communist Party count the expenses and successfully provid- go and come in peace’. Our family observed and a former city council member. I met him several ed them enough financing. Thus in the fall the Sabbath from Friday sunset until sunset times but had never had a chance to talk with him. of 1999, L. [and wife] embarked for Finland, on Saturday. That time we did no work. Our At one of the dinners, I sat next to his daughter, at the where they stayed for four months and in the family had also read the Chinese version of time a high school student, with whom I exchanged a end they arrived in Jerusalem. the Jewish prayers.” few words. She was very surprised that I could talk in “Because of the sensitivity of the immigration L.’s wife is not of Jewish descent but she fluent Chinese, and once she realized that we could issue, the government hoped that we would said that [since her marriage] she had under- converse freely, she was very talkative. Unfortunately not come to Jerusalem directly from Beijing, stood and respected [her husband’s] nation- she was called away to give us a “demonstration of her therefore we adopted a two stage plan. First al identity and traditional customs. L. said, knowledge of a Hebrew song.” we went to Finland and then to Israel. Our “During the ninety years of living in Kaifeng, 2 What he is referring to was the celebration of the Na- expenses in Finland and in Jerusalem were our family had not eaten pork or shrimp and tional Minority Day in 1952 when the Kaifeng Munic- covered by the aid society. For two years these customs have been preserved until to- ipal Government and Bureau of Central South chose after we left Kaifeng we had received about day.” Before immigrating to Israel, L. ran a two Jewish descendents from Kaifeng, Ai Fenming and ten thousand US dollars in aid.” rather small factory and his wife used a room Shi Fenying, to represent the Jewish minority at the in the house to run a barbershop. L. has an national celebration. Both members became ardent They lived in Jerusalem for two years, and Communists and later worked for the government. Ac- received a monthly stipend of US $ 600 elder sister and a younger brother who live near the community housing in Kaifeng. cording to Xu Xin, the reason that these two Jews were (5000 Chinese yuan) that covered the rent. chosen was “that the local government was aware of In addition, they received 6000-yuan ($700) They also follow the same customs as the the existence of Jews in the city and wanted to ensure a month for living expenses and medical in- L. household. equal rights for any ethnic group living in their region. surance equal to the [standard of living of The interview is nearing an end and the re- a] middle-income family. They were also porter asked L: “Do your sister and brother These two Jewish descendants were introduced as Jews provided with furniture and appliances. hope to immigrate to Israel? Why did they while in Beijing and were well received during the celebration.” (For details see: Xu Xin, “Chinese Policy L. did not work. He spent half days, three not come yet?” Towards Judaism,” Points East, Vol. 19, No. 1 (March, times a week, at an ulpan, the rest of the L. said: “Of course, they would like to im- time he had free time. He went for walks, 2004), pp. 3-4, and Gustavo D. Perednik, “The Chinese migrate; they also sent in their application. of Jewish Descent at Kaifeng,” Points East, Vol. 23, No. watched TV, read books, surfed the Internet But two main obstacles are in the way: One, and cooked. At least three times a week, he 1, (March 2008), p. 4). there is no organization that is willing to give 3 This is what the Jews were called in the eighteenth went to the synagogue and used Hebrew to them the documentation that they are Jews. read the prayers. L. said that once he felt he century when the missionaries visited them. For de- Two, financing is also a problem. You know, tails, see Michael Pollak, Mandarin Jews and Mission- could communicate, he was able to look for immigrating requires a lot of money and the a job. Gradually the aid society decreased aries: The Jewish Experience in the Chinese Empire organization that helped and financed us is (Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1980). the amount of aid and eventually stopped it helping other people.” altogether. No matter to what standards one 4 I am not clear about the meaning of this sentence nor compares L.’s living conditions, his two- In conclusion, it must be added that L’s certain of its exact location. Eluosi is a Russian minority room apartment is not considered small. family are not the sole Chinese Jews living that lives between the Uyigur Autonomous Region and On the snow-white painted walls, hangs a in Israel. During World War I, many Jews Heilongjiang. [Editor: It may simply mean “Russian Chinese scroll. Also displayed in the living sought refugee in Shanghai and other places Language Mosque.”] room are seven or eight picture frames de- in China; some of them married to local Chi- 5 This is the original stele of 1489; the other side is the picting the old Kaifeng synagogue and the nese. The children of these mixed marriag- engraving of the 1512 inscriptions. For a full translation scenery around it. es have Jewish blood. After the liberation, of the Chinese text see The Kaifeng Stone Inscriptions. some of them went to Israel with their Jew- 6 An official document. During the interview the reporter asked L: ish mother or father; others came to Israel af- 7 For a more detailed explanation of these events, see “To what extent did you observe the Jewish ter the opening of relations between the two Xu Xin, “Chinese Policy Towards Judaism.” tradition in Kaifeng?” countries, in search of their mother or father. 8 [Editor: “L.” of course is Jin Xiaojing. It is unclear why L. said, “In the old days, there was a saying In every town or city in Israel, one can find he and the reporter used a pseudonym since his name that ‘seven surnames and eight families’9 of such examples. is mentioned throughout the rest of the article.] Jews lived in Kaifeng. These surnames were About the Author: 9 This is another name for the Jews in Kaifeng. bestowed in antiquity by the emperor. Our An Tifa is special correspondent for the 21st 10 This tablet was displayed at the entrance of the Kai- surname was historic and our ancestors held Century World, a Chinese periodical. feng synagogue. 121612 PointsPoints East East SJ maintained a wide circle of friends, both It was through this series of circumstances In MemoriamChineseChinese National Nationallocally Instituteand Institute internationally, for for Jewish Jewish and was Studies Studiesalways Established Establishedthat SJ Chan found himself speaking at the available in both social and scholarly set- Museum of the Jewish Diaspora in Tel Aviv, 12 Chan Sui Jeung “SJ” event.event. Professor Professor Yang Yang Zhong, Zhong, Points Vice Vice Party PartyEast tStrengthen the academic links be- tings. It is said that the greatest riches in life int AprilStrengthen 1984, on thethe subject academic of the links Jews be by- 1933 – 2018 SecretarySecretary of of Nanjing Nanjing University, University, congratu congratu- - tween member institutions, establish Chinese National Institute for Jewish Studiescome Established from our personal relationships. SJ was thetween Yellow member River. institutions, establish Civil Servant, Scholar, Author latedlated the the official official establishment establishment of of the the CNI CNI- - cross-universitycross-university research research teams, teams, make make event. Professor Yang Zhong, Vice Partysolid JSt on goldStrengthen behalf for me.of Nanjing He the will academic University. be missed, links and be - The research grew into a monograph called 12 Points East JS on behalf of Nanjing University. collaborativecollaborative innovations, innovations, conduct conduct co co- - Secretary of Nanjing University, congratu-remembered.tween member institutions, establish The Jews in China: Reflections on Sino-Juda- On the Passing of Chan Sui- The founding member universities are operativeoperative research research and and apply apply for for joint joint lated the official establishment of the CNI-DenThecross-university Leventhal founding is a memberpast research Board universities member teams, of makethe are ic History, which was first published in 1986 Chinese National Institute for Jewish Studies Established Nanjing University, Peking University, academicacademic subjects. subjects. jeungJS on “SJ”behalf of Nanjing University. Sino-JudaicNanjingcollaborative Institute, University, innovations, a founder Peking of conduct the University, Jewish co - and re-printed in a new edition in 2004. event. Professor Yang Zhong, Vice Party tStrengthen the academic links be- ShandongShandong University, University, Henan Henan University, University, Share teaching and research faculties The founding member universities areHistorical operative Society research of Hong and Kong, apply and forauthor joint ButShare that’s teaching not the end and of researchthe story. faculties Secretary of Nanjing University, congratu-By Dentween Leventhal member institutions, establish BeijingBeijing International International Studies Studies University, University, and encourage professors to teach or Nanjing University, Peking University,of Howacademic to Leap subjects. a Great Wall in China. and encourage professors to teach or lated the official establishment of the CNI-Chancross-university Sui-jeung first appeared research in teams,my life makeat ShanghaiShanghai International International Studies Studies University, University, “Ideliver metdeliver other lectures lectures people inat in the other other Jewish member member Recreation uni uni- - Shandong University, Henan University, Club, including an American called Dennis JS on behalf of Nanjing University. RepresentativesaRepresentatives meetingcollaborative of the from frommanagement innovations, eight eight Chinese Chinese board conduct univer univerof the -co - - SichuanSichuanShare International teaching International and Studies Studies research University, University, faculties versities.versities. Beijing International Studies University, and University of International Business Leventhal, and the Club Chairman, Mark The founding member universities aresities(former) sities operativegathered gathered Jewish in researchin RecreationNanjing Nanjing and October October Club apply back28 28for and and injoint Howandand UniversitySJ encourage Became of professors International a Scholar to Business teachof or Shanghai International Studies University, and Economics, all of which are within Ejlenberg.ttEnhanceEnhance They cooperation cooperationasked Dennis with with and research Iresearch to meet Nanjing University, Peking University,formally1984. formallyacademic He announced announced spoke subjects. to the the the membership establishment establishment with of of anddeliver Economics, lectures all in of other which member are within uni - Representatives from eight Chinese univer- greattheSichuan Chinese animation International National of the need Institute Studies to preserve for University, Jewish the the ChineseChineseversities. Kaifeng higher higher Jews education education circles circles and and had had andinstitutionsinstitutions discuss how in in Israel toIsrael improve or or other other the countries, countries,Club. We Shandong University, Henan University,the Chinese National Institute for Jewish hit upon the idea of creating a library; start- sities gathered in Nanjing October 28 and historyStudiesandShare of University (CNIJS) the teaching Jewish. The of andcommunityInstitute International research was of formed facultiesHongBusiness Excerptedestablishedestablished from an an Jewish institute institute Times or or a aAsiacenter center, 6 forFebru for Jew Jew- - - co-hostco-host international international academic academic sym sym- - Beijing International Studies University,Studies (CNIJS). The Institute was formed tEnhance cooperation with research ing with the hundred books that the club had formally announced the establishment of Kong.followingandand His Economics, encourage challenge the suggestion resulted all professors of which ofin the Madam to creation are teach within Liu or aryishish 2018 or or Israel Israel studies studies before before 2014. 2014. posiumsposiums with with them, them, and and invite invite or or hire hire Shanghai International Studies University,following the suggestion of Madam Liu institutions in Israel or other countries, at that time. the Chinese National Institute for Jewish ofYandong, theChinesedeliver Jewish Vicehigher lectures Historical Premier education in other Society of circles China, member of Hongand who unihad - internationalinternational high-level high-level experts experts to to con con- - Representatives from eight Chinese univer- Sichuan International Studies University,Yandong, Vice Premier of China, who HowAtAt co-hostits itsdoes first first convention,a convention, nice international Hong the Kongthe CNIJS CNIJS academic Chinese sets sets up upboy sym the the - Studies (CNIJS). The Institute was formed Kongservesestablishedversities. (JHS). as Chinese And, an whileinstitute Chairman not or himself aof center the Jewish,Sino-Is for Jew - - Today,ductduct lecture the lecture Hong tours tours Kong among among Jewish member member Community in in- - sities gathered in Nanjing October 28 and and University of International Businessserves as Chinese Chairman of the Sino-Is- getfollowingfollowing involvedposiums goals goalsenough with for forthem, thewith the Institute: Institute:theand Jewish invite people or hire following the suggestion of Madam Liu herael ishremained Joint or Israel Innovation closely studies involved Committee,before 2014.with theofficially JHS Centrestitutionsstitutions Library or or serve hasserve moreas as visiting visiting than 4100scholars. scholars. items formally announced the establishment of and Economics, all of which are withinrael JointtEnhance Innovation cooperation Committee, with officially research to beinternational invited to speak high-level at the Museum experts ofto thecon - Yandong, Vice Premier of China, who andestablishedAt its its activitiesfirst inconvention, January throughout 2015 the between CNIJS his life. sets China Our up the (including CDs, video and audio tapes, peri- the Chinese National Institute for Jewish Chinese higher education circles and hadestablished institutions in January in Israel 2015 or between other countries, China Diasporaduct in lecture Tel Aviv? tours For among SJ, the connection member in - ttIncreaseIncrease the the interaction interaction between between serves as Chinese Chairman of the Sino-Is- personalandfollowing Israel relationship under goals for the became the leadership Institute: a strong of Chinaand odicals, newspaper clippings and children’s Studies (CNIJS). The Institute was formed established an institute or a center for Jewand- Israelco-host under international the leadership academic of China sym -was stitutionsentirely accidental… or serve as visiting scholars. books),studentsstudents including of of member member the most institutions, institutions, complete collec inte inte--- rael Joint Innovation Committee, officially MinistrymostMinistry posiumsenjoyable of of Education. Education. with friendship. them, and invite or hire following the suggestion of Madam Liu ish or Israel studies before 2014. A chance meeting put SJ in touch with Lord tiongrategrate of material the the existing existing on the Jewish-Israel Jewish-IsraelKaifeng Jewish studies studies com- established in January 2015 between China As theinternational JHS developed high-level a professionally experts manto con- - tIncrease the interaction between Yandong, Vice Premier of China, who ProfessorProfessor Xu Xu Xin, Xin, Director Director of of the the Diane Diane and and Lawrence Kadoorie. This led in turn to a munityresearchresearch in the paper paper world. competitions competitions of of mem mem- - andAt Israelits first under convention, the leadership the CNIJS ofsets China up the aged Judaica Library, “SJ” supported the students of member institutions, inte- serves as Chinese Chairman of the Sino-Is- GuilfordGuilfordduct Glazer Glazer lecture Institute Institute tours for amongfor Jewish Jewish member and and Isra Isra - in- -meeting with Abe Ladar, then Consul Gen- berber schools, schools, set set up up “CNIJS “CNIJS Outstanding Outstanding Ministryfollowing of Education. goals for the Institute: creation of an archive of materials within it grate the existing Jewish-Israel studies Chan and Leventhal next established the rael Joint Innovation Committee, officially elel Studies Studiesstitutions of of Nanjing Nanjing or serve University, University, as visiting was was scholars. elect elect- - eral of Venezuela in Hong Kong. StudentStudent Paper Paper Award,” Award,” and and encourage encourage that would support research not only into research paper competitions of mem- Jewish Historical Society of Hong Kong. The established in January 2015 between China Professor Xu Xin, Director of the Diane and eded its its first first President. President. Professor Professor Qianhong Qianhong studentsstudents to to apply apply for for master master programs programs our HongtIncrease Kong history, the interactionbut also into betweenevery Ladarber had schools, written aset letter up “CNIJSappealing Outstanding to Jewish Society meets regularly to hear lectures and and Israel under the leadership of China Guilford Glazer Institute for Jewish and Isra- Zhang,Zhang, Vice Vice President President of of Zhengzhou Zhengzhou Uni Uni- - atat member member universities. universities. aspectstudents of the Jewish of member experience institutions, in Chinese inte -communitiesStudent Paperall over Award,” the world and for encourage pictures sponsors walking tours of Hong Kong from a Ministry of Education. el Studies of Nanjing University, was elect- versity and Director of Institute for Jewish versityhistory.grate and His the Directorown existing research of Institute Jewish-Israel work resultedfor Jewish studies in and other artifacts relating to Jews in China JewishttCo-formCo-form perspective. a a Chinese Chinese Its current Academic Academic ongoing Delproj Del--- ed its first President. Professor Qianhong and Israel Studies of Henan University, and students to apply for master programs Professor Xu Xin, Director of the Diane and andthe Israel secondresearch Studies publication paper of Henan competitions of theUniversity, JHS Mono of and mem- -for an exhibition called “Jews by the Yellow ectegationegation involves of of Jewish-Israel cataloguingJewish-Israel the Studies Studies graves to to in visit visit the Zhang, Vice President of Zhengzhou Uni- Professor Youde Fu, Director of the Center at member universities. Guilford Glazer Institute for Jewish and Isra- Professorgraphber Series, schools,Youde The Fu, set Jews Director up in“CNIJS Kaifeng: of theOutstanding Center Reflec- River”t to be held in Tel Aviv in April 1984. community’scrucialcrucial Jewish Jewish cemetery. Studies Studies institutions institutions in in versity and Director of Institute for Jewish for Judaism and Interreligious Studies of tSetSet up up a a National National Teaching Teaching Steering Steering el Studies of Nanjing University, was elect- fortions Judaism Student on Sino-Judaic andPaper Interreligious Award,” History and (1986). Studies encourage His of tCo-form a Chinese Academic Del- SJIsrael inIsrael happier and and times America, America, and and strive strive to to es es- - and Israel Studies of Henan University, and Shandong University, were elected its Vice He Committee,metCommittee, SJ, read affiliating hisaffiliating manuscript, a a“Hebrew “Hebrew and invited Teach Teach - - ed its first President. Professor Qianhong Shandonglivelystudents and University,exuberant to apply personalitywere for electedmaster infused itsprograms Vice all egation of Jewish-Israel Studies to visit tablishtablish connections connections with with International International Professor Youde Fu, Director of the Center Presidents. Professor Lihong Song, Deputy himing ing to Subcommittee,”speak Subcommittee,” on the subject a a “Jewish “Jewish at the JewishCulture Culture Zhang, Vice President of Zhengzhou Uni- Presidents.who tatknew memberSet Professorhim up awith universities. National enthusiasmLihong Teaching Song, for Deputy our Steering ac- crucial Jewish Studies institutions in AssociationsAssociations for for Jewish Jewish Studies Studies and and As As- - for Judaism and Interreligious Studies of Director of the Diane and Guilford Glazer RecreationTeachingTeaching Club Subcommittee” Subcommittee” in December led1983. led by by While Shan Shan - - versity and Director of Institute for Jewish DirectortivitiesCommittee, in of the the JHS. Diane affiliating and Guilforda “Hebrew Glazer Teach - Israel and America, and strive to es- sociationssociations for for Israel Israel Studies. Studies. Shandong University, were elected its Vice InstitutetCo-form for Jewish a Chineseand Israel Academic Studies was Del -thatdong dong lecture University, University, was packed, a a“Israel “Israel only Studies Studies two people Teach Teach - - and Israel Studies of Henan University, and Instituteing for Subcommittee,” Jewish and Israel a “Jewish Studies Culturewas tablish connections with International Presidents. Professor Lihong Song, Deputy Heappointed wasegation born Secretary of into Jewish-Israel a General. family whose StudiesThe Secretar history to visit - in theinging audience Subcommittee,” Subcommittee,” had ever aheard a “Holocaust “Holocaust of a Jewish and and ttSet up publication funds and spon- Professor Youde Fu, Director of the Center appointedTeaching Secretary Subcommittee” General. The led Secretar by Shan- - Associations for Jewish Studies and As- Set up publication funds and spon- Directort of the Diane and Guilford Glazer iniat Hong ofcrucial the Kong CNIJS Jewish goes will back Studiesbe located some institutions 200 at Nanjing years. in presenceAnti-SemitismAnti-Semitism in Kaifeng… Teaching Teaching Subcommittee.” Subcommittee.” sor the publication of monographs and for Judaism and Interreligious Studies of Set up a National Teaching Steeringiat ofdong the CNIJS University, will be a located“Israel Studies at Nanjing Teach - sociations for Israel Studies. sor the publication of monographs and Institute for Jewish and Israel Studies was HeUniversity. graduatedIsrael and from America, the University and strive of Hong to es-OneAllAll of oftheof these best-knownthese committees committees books offeron offer the discussion commudiscussion- translation on Jewish-Israel studies. Shandong University, were elected its Vice Committee, affiliating a “Hebrew TeachUniversity.- ing Subcommittee,” a “Holocaust and translation on Jewish-Israel studies. appointed Secretary General. The Secretar- Kongtablish in 1959. connections From 1968 withto 1994, International SJ was nityand andtis The Set give give Chineseup teaching teachingpublication Jews, techniques, techniques, by fundsCatholic and formulate formulatebishop spon - Presidents. Professor Lihong Song, Deputy ing Subcommittee,” a “Jewish Culture The Anti-Semitismgrand ceremony Teaching was held Subcommittee.” at Nanjing tIncrease the proportion of Jewish- iat of the CNIJS will be located at Nanjing Thea career grandAssociations Administrative ceremony for wasJewish Officer held Studies in at the Nanjing Hongand As -W.C.teachingteachingsor White. the publication syllabi syllabi This book and and of course was course monographs published outlines, outlines, and in as as tIncrease the proportion of Jewish- Director of the Diane and Guilford Glazer Teaching Subcommittee” led by Shan-University.All of these Ms. Zhu committees Li, an official offer from discussion Chi- Israel studies students that can receive University. University.Kongsociations Civil Ms.Service. Zhufor IsraelHeLi, analso Studies.official was an from Honor Chi- 1942,wellwelltranslation at asa astime provide provide whenon Jewish-Israel teaching theteaching community references references studies. in Kai for- for Israel studies students that can receive dong University, a “Israel Studies Teach-na Ministryand give of teachingEducation, techniques, came to mark formulate the Institute for Jewish and Israel Studies was naary Ministry Research of FellowEducation, of the came Centre to markof Asian the fengotherother was potential potential only in institutes tenuous institutes connectionof of Jewish Jewish studies. studies. with China-IsraelChina-Israel government government scholarships. scholarships. The inggrand Subcommittee,” ceremony was aheld “Holocaust at Nanjing and teachingtSet up syllabi publication and course funds outlines,and spon as- tIncrease the proportion of Jewish- appointed Secretary General. The Secretar- studies in the University of Hong Kong. His the outside world. An erroneous claim by University.Anti-Semitism Ms. Zhu Teaching Li, an official Subcommittee.” from Chi- sor the publication of monographs and Israel studies students that can receive iat of the CNIJS will be located at Nanjing otherwell publications as provide include teaching Calendar references of Tra - foranother historian that the Chinese Jews were na MinistryAll of these of Education, committees came offer to markdiscussion the JoinJoin TheThe China-Israel Sino-JudaicSino-Judaic government scholarships. InstituteInstitute University. 12ditionalothertranslation Chinese potential on Festivals institutesJewish-Israel and of LocalJewish studies. Celestudies.- being persecuted came to SJ’s attention…SJ’s Points East and give teaching techniques, formulatebrations and East River Column: Hong Kong BenefactorBenefactor ...... $1,000+$1,000+ The grand ceremony was held at Nanjing Thet IncreaseSino-Judaic the proportionInstitute is of a Jewish-non-denominational,rebuttal was published non-proft, in New a nd York, non- and teaching syllabi and course outlines, asGuerillas The Sino-Judaic in the Second Institute World War is aand non-denominational, Af- non-proft, and non- PatronPatron ...... 500.500 University. Ms. Zhu Li, an official from Chi- Join TheIsrael Sino-Judaic studies students that can receive Institute catapulted his scholarship to the forefront on well as provide teaching references forter political political(2009). organization organization which which was was founded founded in in 1985 1985 by by an an internat internationalional CorporateCorporate Patron Patron ...... 500.500 na Ministry of Education, came to mark the other potential institutes of Jewish studies. China-Israel government scholarships. theBenefactor topic of the ...... Kaifeng community.$1,000+ CorporateCorporate Sponsor Sponsor ...... 250250 to to 499 499 The Sino-Judaic Institute is a non-denominational,groupgroup of of scholars scholars non-proft, and and laypersons laypersons and non- . . Patron ...... 500 CorporateCorporate Member Member ...... 250250 to to 499 499 political organization which was founded in 1985 by an internatJOINional THECorporate SINO-JUDAIC Patron ...... INSTITUTE.500 SponsorSponsor ...... 100.100 Join The Sino-Judaic Institute Corporate Sponsor ...... 250 to 499 RegularRegular Member Member ...... 50.50 group of scholars and laypersons. MembershipBenefactorMembership ...... in in the the Institute Institute$1,000+ is is open open and andCorporate we we cordially cordially Member invite invite ...... you you 250to to join jointo 499 LibrariesLibraries ...... 50.50 The Sino-Judaic Institute is a non-denominational, non-proft, and non- TheinPatronin supporting supporting Sino-Judaic ...... our our Instituteendeavor. endeavor. is Our aOur non-denominational,.500 annual annualSponsor dues dues ...... structure structure non-profit, is is as as follows: follows: and.100 non-politicalAcademicAcademic ...... organization, .30.30 political organization which was founded in 1985 by an international foundedCorporate onPatron June ...... 27, 1985, in.500 Palo RegularAlto, California, Member ...... by an international.50 SeniorSenior group Citizens Citizens of scholars ...... and lay .25.25 Membership in the Institute is open andCorporate we cordially Sponsor invite ...... you250 to jointo 499 Libraries ...... 50 StudentsStudents ...... 25.25 group of scholars and laypersons. persons,Corporate toMember promote ...... friendship250 to 499 and Academicunderstanding ...... between the Chinese.30 and Jewish peoples and to in supporting our endeavor. Our annualI Iwish wish dues to to become becomestructure a a member memberis as follows: of of the the Sino-Judaic Sino-Judaic Institute Institute and and to to r eceivereceive Points Points East East three three times times a a year year. .Enclosed Enclosed is is my my encourageSponsor ...... and develop their. 100cooperationSenior Citizens in matters ...... of mutual historical.25 and cultural interest. Its checkRegularcheck for for Member $______$______...... 50 Students ...... PLEASEPLEASE PRINT PRINT .25 Membership in the Institute is open and we cordially invite you to join objectivesLibraries ...... are: .50 I wish to become a member of the Sino-JudaicNameName Institute ______and to receive Points East three times a year. Enclosed is my ______in supporting our endeavor. Our annual dues structure is as follows: Academic ...... 30 check for $______1)AddressSeniorAddress The Citizens study ______E-Mail ______E-Mail of PLEASE...... the ancientPRINT Jewish.25 community of Kaifeng and assisting ______its descendents as appropriate. Students ...... 25 Name ______2)HomeHome The Phone Phone study # # ______Workof ______Work Jewish life in Shanghai,______Harbin, # # ______Fax ______Fax Tianjin and elsewhere in the #19th # ______and 20th centuries. I wish to become a member of the Sino-JudaicAddress Institute ______E-Mail and to receive Points East three times a year. EnclosedMailMail to: to: is The Themy Sino-Judaic Sino-Judaic______Institute, Institute, Prof. Prof. Steve Steve Hochstadt, Hochstadt, Dept. Dept. of of History, History, Illinois Illinois College, College, check for $______PLEASE PRINT 3) The support of Jewish studies programs11011101 West West in College CollegeChina. Ave, Ave, Jacksonville Jacksonville IL IL 62650 62650 Home Phone # ______Work # ______Fax # ______Name ______Mail to: The Sino-Judaic______4) The Institute, study Prof. of Steve cultural Hochstadt, intersections Dept. of History, between Illinois College,Chinese and Jews, for example adoptions, literature, Address ______E-Mail ______1101 diasporas, West College etc. Ave, Jacksonville IL 62650 Home Phone # ______Work # ______Fax 5) The #study ______of Sino-Israeli relations. Mail to: The Sino-Judaic Institute, Prof. Steve Hochstadt, Dept. of History, Illinois College, 1101 West College Ave, Jacksonville IL 626506) To cooperate with other groups whose interests lie in Sinitic and Judaic matters.

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