Vol. 35 No. 2 A Publication of the Sino-Judaic Institute July 2020 Jews in China Cope with Coronavirus The US Campaign to Derail China-Israel Relations By Miriam Groner By Anson Laytner

Excerpted from The New York Jewish Week/Times of Israel, 9 Seeking to counter China’s growing influence on the world stage, March 2020. https://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/in-coronavirus- its technological advances, and desperate to deflect attention from stricken-china-jews-adopt-new-hi-tech-ways-to-worship-for-purim/ its own COVID-19 failures at home, the US government and its Since the outbreak started at the beginning of the calendar year, the proxies appear to have launched an anti-China media campaign Liberal Chinese Jewish communities have held modified Sabbath designed to accomplish both these aims. Chinese-Israeli relations services and Hebrew school, using Zoom video conferencing tech- have become both a flashpoint and a target. nology and WeChat, an app owned and operated by the Chinese Echoing themes from his mid-May visit to Israel, Secretary of State government that has been described as Facebook, Whatsapp, Ins- Pompeo told the American Jewish Committee’s Global Forum tagram and Venmo all rolled into one. The communities had used in June that “standing up to the Chinese Communist Party is a it in the past for updates, but now it’s become the lifeline for com- growing challenge to the United States, to Israel, indeed to all free munity members, many of whom are now stranded out of country. people,” because “Beijing’s opaque military buildup, reckless in- As the global pandemic has spread, grounding airlines, sending difference to its internal obligations, and disinformation campaigns global financial markets plummeting and closing schools, syn- endanger us all.” Sounding like a resurrected John Foster Dulles, agogues and now yeshivas, Jewish life in China has all but shut he called on AJC attendees to “be alert to the Chinese Communist down. Party’s threat to our way of life. Standing against bad actors is at the core of America’s values.” Speaking with The Times of Israel…China’s Jewish multi-denom- inational community leaders describe a country on lockdown, This was not the first occasion that America had told Israel (some- with precious few Jews currently on hand out of the 10,000 who times via American Jews) what to do. The first time came shortly usually live there. Many Jewish families had been traveling over after the establishment of the PRC. Although Israel was the first the Chinese New Year at the end of January as news of the out- Middle Eastern country to recognize the PRC, American threats break spread. Facing certain quarantine, and with schools across before and during the Korean War forced Israel to cool its ardor the country closed, most stayed abroad. for China. Then, in 2000, the US compelled Israel to cancel the sale of its Falcon aircraft to China. Now, Israel is being pressured Given the members’ different time zones, this can be a challenge. to join on the American side of President Trump’s confrontation Members of Kehilat Shanghai are now spread around South Asia, with China. Already back in October 2019, Israel’s security cabinet the United States, Europe, Brazil, South Africa and Australia. decided to establish a mechanism to monitor Chinese and other “We’ve found that sometimes sending a video lesson or message foreign investments, following pressure from the United States. can be more effective because then people can watch it on their While China’s rebuilding of the port of Haifa continues, much to own time in whatever time zone they are in and comment on the America’s displeasure, Israel did recently reverse itself regarding group chat as opposed to tuning in at a specific moment,” Julia Chinese involvement in the construction of a major desalination Ulman [coordinator of Kehilat Shanghai] said. “We’ve been encour- plant. aging people to send in their Shabbat messages from around the Speaking in Jerusalem during his May visit, Pompeo had blamed world… We’re finding many different ways to feel connected and China for bearing responsibility for spread of COVID-19 and ac- use the fact that we are a community not just a synagogue. We are cused it of problematic trade practices. State Department officials a community, no matter what is going on and where we are.” said a main topic of discussion was Washington’s concerns over “It’s a very sad situation,” Rabbi Shalom Greenberg [of Chabad Israel’s expanding trade relationship with China, which the Trump Shanghai] said over the phone from Shanghai. “All the schools and administration believes is a back door way for China to obtain in- universities are closed, so 99 percent of the families didn’t stay telligence on US military capacities around the world. During that here. They left. You can’t keep your kids at home in four walls for same visit, he also told public broadcaster Kan that Chinese partic- such a long time.” Greenberg says there are typically 2,000 Jewish ipation in Israeli infrastructure and communications systems could people in Shanghai and he hosts 50 to 100 people every week at jeopardize U.S. cooperation. his Chabad center for Shabbat services and meals. Since the virus In response, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated “some po- outbreak, he’s barely had 10. litical forces in the US are taking China-US relations hostage and …Even with most of his community still not back in China, Green- pushing our two countries to the brink of a new Cold War” while berg organized a mask drive and distributed thousands of masks its embassy in Israel added “We trust that the Jewish friends are not and aid kits to Jews and non-Jews in Shanghai’s Hongkou District. only able to defeat the coronavirus but also the ‘political virus,’ and The area is home to a large number of elderly citizens who have choose the course of action that best serves its interests” noting as had a hard time accessing the limited quantities of supplies at the well that “China’s investment in Israel only accounts for 0.4 per- city’s distribution centers. Volunteers from the Jewish War Refu- cent of China’s investment across the world and 3% of the foreign gee Museum helped Greenberg deliver them directly to people’s investment flown into Israel.” What is left unsaid is the fact that, by homes so they wouldn’t have to line up in the cold. breaking Israeli-Chinese economic links, the US is damaging and (continued on page 6) (continued on page 7) 2 Points East

TABLE OF CONTENTS FROM THE EDITOR Points East Anson Laytner, Editor Featured Articles: Pro-democracy demonstrations Points East is published by the Sino-Judaic in Hong Kong, the spread of the Institute, a tax-exempt, non-profit organi- Jews in China Cope with zation. The opinions and views expressed Coronavirus...... 1 coronavirus around the world, by the contributors and editor are their own stay-at-home orders and social and do not necessarily express the view- The US Campaign to Derail distancing, economic collapse points and positions of the Sino-Judaic In- China-Israel Relations...... 1 and mass unemployment, police stitute. From the Editor...... 2 killings of African Americans, Letters to the Editor and articles for Points massive anti-police brutality ral- East may be sent to: In the Field...... 3 lies in numerous countries—it’s Preferred Form: Letters...... 3 been a wild few months since our e-mail: [email protected] last issue! or to: Rabbi Anson Laytner 1823 East Prospect St. Articles: Seattle WA 98112-3307 I’d like to comment on them all A Jewish Dynasty in a Changing but I lack the expertise, the space Points East is published three times a year, China ...... 4 in March, July and November. Deadlines and the energy. for submitting material to be included in A Second Sugihara Discovered ...... 5 these issues are January 15th, May 15th and What energy I do have has been September 15th. Philippines’ WWII Rescue of Jews Featured in New Film...... 6 directed to the research and writ- ing of the lead article “The US FINANCIAL REPORT AVAILABLE From Germany to Shanghai to San Campaign to Derail China-Israel SJI members interested in receiving a copy Francisco ...... 7 Relations,” which takes the Trump of the annual financial report should send Trumpeldor Reappears...... 11 Administration and its Jewish al- a self-addressed envelope to: Steve Hoch- lies to task for pressuring Israel stadt, Treasurer of the Sino-Judaic Insti- The Kadoorie Farm & tute, 1252 W. College Ave., Jacksonville IL Botanic Garden...... 14 on its ties with China. As more 62650 USA. than one colleague pointed out Ancient Flood in Kaifeng Killed to me, “This has been going on 300,000 ...... 16 Sino-Judaic Institute since 1949.” I rarely feature my c/o Rabbi Anson Laytner own writings in Points East, but 1823 East Prospect St. Book Nook...... 11 this time I felt it was important to Seattle WA 98112-3307 A Century of Jewish Life in Shanghai highlight this perennial problem. SJI Officers Anson Laytner, President Points within Unity: The Agency and Vera Schwarcz, Vice President This issue carries another great Dignity of Chaya Leah Walkin Steve Hochstadt, Secretary/Treasurer interview with a former Shang- Arnold Mark Belzer, Immediate Past Presi- Epitaph Of No Words hailander by Kevin Ostoyich, a dent fascinating article about the Ka- Managing Board doories, stories about the cata- Wendy Abraham, Joel Epstein, Bev Friend, strophic 1642 flood in Kaifeng, Loraine Heller, Dan Levitsky, Ondi Lingen- SJI MEMBERSHIP felter, Jim Michaelson, Kevin Ostoyich, Eric Trumpeldor in China, a typically Rothberg, Danny Spungen, Marvin Tokayer Country Total incisive letter from Jordan Paper, ]International Advisory Board United States 136 and other intriguing items. Moshe Y. Bernstein, Jan Berris, Mark Cohen, Canada 6 Avrum Ehrlich, Fu Youde, Jonathan Gold- Also featured in this issue are book stein, Judy Green, Len Hew, Tess Johnston, China 15 Dan Krassenstein, Donald Leslie, Den Lev- reviews of Steve Hochstadt’s new Israel 11 enthal, Michael Li, Yonatan Menashe, Maisie volume A Century of Jewish Life Meyer, Mark Michaelson, Sonja Muehlberg- England 6 in Shanghai and Vera Schwarcz’s er, Gustavo Perednik, Andrew Plaks, Pan Australia 2 In the Crook of the Rock—Jewish Guang, Shi Lei, Yitzhak Shichor, Elyse Silver- berg, Josh Stampfer, Noam Urbach, Shalom Japan 2 Refuge in a World Gone Mad: The Wald, Tibi Weisz, Xiao Xian, Xu Xin, Albert Germany 2 Chaya Leah Walkin Story. Yee, Zhang Qianhong, David Zweig. Past Presidents Greece 1 Stay healthy! Stay safe! Al Dien, Leo Gabow z”l Singapore 1 South Africa 1 Anson Laytner Taiwan 1 Bequest Request Please consider putting the Total: 184 Sino-Judaic Institute in your will. Points East 3 In the Field Coronavirus scuttles China tour for Letters to the Editor Chinese Donate COVID-19 Medi- Yiddish ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ To the Editor: cal Supplies to Israel The Yiddish production of “Fiddler on The lead article in the last issue of Points A plane laden with medical aid from the Roof” was scheduled to tour Chi- na this spring but has apparently fallen East, “Kaifeng Jewish Community Suf- China touched down at Ben-Gurion fers New Suppression,” was most inter- Airport on April 6th, with much of the victim to coronavirus. On January 13th, 20 tons of cargo donated by former cast members were informed via email esting, but I was bothered by the tone, tourists and academic exchange alum- of a three-city tour that would have tak- exemplified by the first sentence: “Since ni who have fond memories of Israel. en place from April 13th to May 10th. Xi Jinping took power, the repression of Additional flights coming to Israel with But according to Zalmen Mlotek, artistic religion has been increasingly vigorous.” medical goods from China would also director of the National Yiddish Theater I have found that Xi Jinping rather has be carrying donations, alongside goods Folksbiene, four days later the tour was been promoting religion, particularly that Israel is buying. cancelled. Mlotek called the cancella- Chinese Religion, but also others long According to the Defense Ministry, tion of the China tour “a major disap- established in China, such as working which organized the shipment, there pointment for everybody. The hope is out a ground-breaking agreement with were more than 900,000 surgical that one day, please God, this virus will the Vatican, solving a dispute going back masks, half a million protective suits several centuries. Hence, I looked into for medical teams and other “critical end and things will be back to normal in China and we’ll be able to do it.” the journal from which the article was equipment” on the flight that landed taken, Bitter Winter. Monday morning. Seemingly an academic journal, Bitter At Bar Ilan University’s Azrieli Facul- Sonja Mühlberger featured in ty of Medicine in the northern city of Winter is entirely oriented towards ex- Safed, there was excitement that pack- Xinhua video treme anti-Chinese journalism, closely ages of protective suits, face shields, Sonja Mühlberger, a SJI International following the propaganda line of the U.S. eye goggles, N95 masks and surgical Advisory Board member, was featured in attacks on China with regard to human masks will soon arrive on the flight — a Xinhua video feature commemorating rights. I could not find a single positive sent by Chinese alumni of the univer- article with regard to China. It appears sity. Supplies of protective gear were the 75th anniversary of the end of World running so low there that some doctors War II by focusing on three children to promote the Church of the Almighty and staff were sent home because they whose lives in China were shaped by God, a Chinese offshoot of Christiani- couldn’t be kept safe. Now, they will that conflict. Sonja, who was born and ty, denied as being Christian by estab- return to the faculty. raised in Shanghai, was one of them. lished Christian churches, and repressed “There are so many Chinese people Below are two links to this ten-minute in China as a dangerous cult. Some of who want to help Israel,” said Betty video: the very recent articles and editorials are bizarre, including declaring that the gov- Xi, a visiting scholar at Beijing Univer- http://german.xinhuanet.com/2020- ernment is not only doing nothing about sity and a graduate of Israel’s Bar-Ilan 05/08/c_139041032.htm?from=single- University. She raised $10,000 in 72 the corona virus – the building of new message hours, mostly from people who have hospitals in Wuhan is a hoax (in spite of become academics after postdoctoral http://www.xinhuanet.com/en- news videos of the hospitals) – and Chi- fellowships in Israel. “We have such glish/2020-05/08/c_139040404.htm na is deliberating spreading the virus to good memories of being at Bar-Ilan in allow for organ harvesting! The author of Israel and were so deeply influenced by the spirit of the university, so we “The Singer of Shanghai” Premieres the article in Points East is a prolific writ- really wanted to do something for the er of anti-Chinese government articles, SJI Board member Dr. Kevin Ostoyich’s university,” she said by telephone from often several in a single issue; one can Beijing. graduate students in the Valparaiso only wonder as to which organization is University Arts and Entertainment Ad- funding him or her. ministration program have written and China’s Ambassador to Israel Dies produced a new radio play titled “The The situation of the Kaifeng Jews is fairly Singer of Shanghai.” China’s ambassador to Israel, Du Wei, well described in the article. The com- 57, was found dead at his official res- Ida Abraham, mother of former Shang- munity unfortunately has fallen under idence in the coastal town of Herzliya hai Jewish refugee Harry Abraham is the the prohibitions of the new Regulation on 17 May 2020. central focus for the production and her on Religion, which was not designed Du was married and had one son but Singer sewing machine is used as a sym- with regard to Judaism whatsoever. The his family members were not with him bol to connect her past to our present. Regulation is clearly aimed at three par- in Israel. The real twist is that former Shanghai ticular issues: 1) the so-called “house churches” – Protestant churches, usually He had arrived in Israel on 15 February Jewish refugees joined as members of to take up his posting, and immediate- the cast as did SJI Board member Danny Pentecostal and supported by American ly spent two weeks in quarantine due Spungen. churches, which refuse to register with the government – different from most to coronavirus regulations. He was un- Directed by Dr. Kari-Anne Innes, the ra- able to present his credentials to Presi- Protestant Churches in China, which are dent Reuven Rivlin in person due to the dio theatre play is available on YouTube supported by the government and abide pandemic. at the following link: https://www.you- by Chinese laws; 2) spreading Salafism, tube.com/watch?v=ItmM5qqL-hI Du, who was born in Shandong Prov- which seeks to de-Sinicize Chinese Is- ince, was a professional diplomat who Got News for “In the Field”? Send it to lam, which has long been Sinicized as previously served in Ukraine. [email protected] was Chinese Judaism, and Arabianize it, 4 Points East supported by Arab money; and 3) sup- SJI members are not subject to Chinese A Jewish Dynasty in a Chang- port by Islamic terrorist organizations laws and regulations so long as they re- for Uighur terrorism by training Uighurs main outside of China, but the Chinese ing China in Afghanistan and by funds from cer- descendants of the Kaifeng synagogue By Jonathan Kaufman tain Central Asian Turkish speaking community are, and it is they who will Excerpted from the Wall Street Journal, 30 May 2020 countries (the Uighurs are a Turkic peo- suffer the consequences if SJI disregards Since 1880, when an Iraqi Jewish refugee ple). Hence, the regulations prohibit re- the new regulation on religion. Those named Elly Kadoorie arrived in Hong Kong, ligious organizations receiving or bene- brought out of China to be trained in Ju- China has gone through a series of revolu- fitting from foreign funds, members of daism sponsored by SJI are now likely tions—from domination by Western powers to religions being trained in religion (or to be arrested as soon as they return. I independence, from Nationalist to Communist terrorism) outside of China, and foreign have cautioned SJI before about the po- rule, from colonialism to capitalism to com- munism. Through it all, the Kadoorie family missionaries. tential consequences of their activities in Kaifeng, even though meaning well, has been a barometer of the country’s open- of course, and my predictions unfortu- ness to the world, rising to become the richest The Chinese government has made Western family in China. Leaders have been abundantly clear that the Regulation on nately came to pass. I hope in the future SJI will seriously consider the potential seeking their advice for generations, drawn by Religion is not concerned with religion disastrous consequences for the people their combination of business skills and polit- ical acumen. Now, as China cracks down on per se, but with sedition, terrorism, and they mean to help. colonialist attempts by foreign entities dissent in Hong Kong and defiant protesters to convert those of Chinese culture to The situation is made more difficult again take to the streets, the problem facing a foreign culture. As members of the Si- because in the early formation of the the family—like other companies and govern- ments seeking to deal with a more repressive no-Judaic Institute (SJI) well know, they list of five recognized religions over a half-century ago (five being the com- and nationalistic regime—is whether China and other Jewish organizations (as well will continue to welcome them. as pretend Jewish organizations) have mon number for Chinese lists), Judaism The Kadoories built their first fortune in Shang- been carrying out activities that in ret- was left off the list, and thus is not a licit religion. The list was of religions then vi- hai between the world wars, when the city rospect violate every aspect of the new ably present in China rather than those became a global crossroads. When the com- regulation, and that brought the “crack- of the past, and Chinese Judaism had munists took over in 1949 and expelled for- down” on the Kaifeng Jewish community. been defunct for a century when the list eigners, they lost almost everything, fleeing to was formulated. As well, few Chinese British-ruled Hong Kong to make a new start. The present government under Xi Jin- are aware of the presence of Judaism Over the next 25 years they grew richer than ping is strongly encouraging a revital- ever, amassing an $18 billion portfolio that in- in Chinese history. When I lectured on cludes China Light and Power, which provides ization of Chinese culture, including the topic at Beijing Normal Universi- religion. Foreign influence on religion is electricity to 80% of Hong Kong’s residents, ty and the Institute of World Religions and the luxury Peninsula hotel chain. understood as a remnant of colonialism at Academica Sinica (Beijing), virtually When the People’s Republic began to open up and more important, given that regime all the scholars in attendance had been change throughout Chinese history was in 1972, after President Nixon’s visit, one of unaware of that presence. SJI and oth- the first calls the communist leadership made almost always due to religio-political ers have funded the study of Judaism in was to the Kadoories, seeking their help in movements, all foreign influence on Chinese universities and Chinese schol- building a nuclear power plant. The Kadoories, religion in China is understood as se- ars to study Judaism, including Chinese who remain British citizens, became one of the dition. Hence, promoting Ashkenazi Judaism. Yet have any of these scholars country’s biggest foreign investors, returning to (northeast European) Judaism as a sub- made efforts towards the recognition of Shanghai triumphantly to build a new Penin- stitute for Chinese Judaism, itself based Judaism in China or greater awareness of sula Hotel. Today they meet regularly with top on Mizrahi Judaism, as well as Ashke- the history of Chinese Judaism? Chinese leaders, including Xi Jinping. nazi culture to replace the Chinese A further factor regarding lack of recog- It has been a steep ascent since Elly Kadoorie culture of the Chinese descendants of nition and thus legitimacy is that Israel, landed in Hong Kong at the age of 18. He had the Kaifeng synagogue community, is with the Ultra-Orthodox given the right been recruited to work for a major trading firm looked upon askance. Any further ac- owned by the Sassoons, another Jewish fam- by the government to determine Jewish ily that had come to China from Baghdad 35 tivities in these regards can only lead to identity, does not recognize the descen- years earlier, just after the Opium Wars. But potentially severe consequences for the dants of the Kaifeng synagogue com- Elly soon struck out on his own, steering clear Kaifeng community, especially as the munity as Jews. Thus, the Chinese gov- of opium, one of the main commodities the local government seems to administer ernment might assume that recognizing Sassoons transported between India and Chi- the new regulations harshly beyond the Chinese Judaism could lead to diplomat- na. Instead he invested in hotels, land and util- stipulations of the new Regulation, per- ic problems with Israel. In any case, if ities, building the infrastructure for the growing haps hoping to curry favor with the cen- Jews do not recognize the Kaifeng Jews city of Shanghai as it became the “Paris of the tral government. This may explain why as Jews, why would one expect China East.” In time he built the grandest mansion in when I was last in Kaifeng to give a talk to do so? the city—43 rooms for just three people—and entertained celebrities like Charles Lindbergh. on the Kaifeng Jews at the School of Jew- For those who are interested in the ques- The Kadoories’ hotels hosted the world’s elites, ish Studies of Henan University, I was tion of religious freedom in China and including the wedding of Chiang Kai-shek… not informed of the time and place of the new regulation on religion, these During World War II, the elderly Elly Kadoorie the talk, thus subtly in Chinese fashion are discussed in depth in the chapter was imprisoned in a Japanese camp, and he cancelling my presentation. (Just previ- “Freedom of Religion” in my new book, died in captivity in 1944. Soon after the war ous on that same trip, I had lectured in Chinese Religion and Familism (Blooms- ended, the Chinese communists swept through Beijing on the same subject with the full bury Academic, 2020). Shanghai, seizing the family’s buildings and art support, including financial, of Chinese Jordan Paper collection. Most Westerners in China, includ- academics and academic institutions.). ing the Sassoons, fled to Europe, Australia or Points East 5 the Americas. But Elly’s grown sons, Lawrence A Second Sugihara Discovered arrived in San Francisco. and Horace, stayed close by, moving to the Until now, it hadn’t been known that Nei family’s hotel in Hong Kong. “If we sit down Japanese original by Hiroyuki Tanaka had issued visas. But recent joint research and worry, not only will no progress be made Reprinted from The Mainichi 28 May, by professor Yakov Zinberg at Kokushikan but everything will get worse,” Lawrence wrote 2020 https://mainichi.jp/english/arti- University and in Russia found records in to Horace in 1946. “If we go ahead optimistical- cles/20200528/p2a/00m/0na/012000c1/3 ly, and in the belief that Hong Kong has a great the state archives of its Ministry of Foreign future before it...we shall recover our losses New evidence has emerged showing that Affairs showing that on March 3, 1941, Nei and progress.” Hong Kong, Lawrence declared, during World War II, Japan’s acting con- told an official stationed in Vladivostok for “may become another Shanghai.” sul-general in Vladivostok in the then Soviet the Soviet Union’s People’s Commissariat He turned out to be spectacularly correct. Over Union issued transit visas for Jews escaping for Foreign Affairs that he had “issued a set the next 70 years, through the Cold War and persecution from Nazi Germany to pass number of transit visas without permission China’s economic rise, the Kadoories rebuilt through Japan. from Tokyo.” He reportedly said he felt sorry for the many refugees staying in the their fortune in Hong Kong. They also conclud- Records showing that Saburo Nei (1902- area, so he granted the documents. Pro- ed that businessmen of their father’s generation, 1992) had granted the visas were known to fessor Zinberg said, “The visa that’s been isolated and wealthy, had been blind to the rise have been kept in Russia, but now for the of communism and paid a terrible price. “The found now is an important document in best protection against Communism is to pro- first time the existence of one of the actual support of the written records found on the vide living conditions that are better than those documents has been confirmed. Another Jap- Soviet side.” in China proper,” Lawrence declared. The Ka- anese diplomat, Chiune Sugihara (1900-86), Acting consul-general Chiune Sugihara doories poured millions into helping displaced is known internationally for having helped Chinese farmers and refugees set up small farms Jews in Lithuania during wartime. But a per- also issued many visas between July and in Hong Kong. Research supported by the Ka- son connected to the new findings said, “We August 1940. He did so on humanitarian doories led to the breeding of a new strain of pig want many people to know that there were grounds, and his actions were in opposi- that provided more meat for the city’s booming Japanese diplomats other than Mr. Sugihara tion to the policies of the Japanese gov- ernment at the time. But Japan’s Ministry population. The Jewish Kadoories, the Chinese who saved Jewish people.” farmers joked, “know everything about the pig of Foreign Affairs was put in a difficult po- except the way it tastes.” The visa was found by Akira Kitade, 76, a sition due to the conditions of Sugihara’s freelance writer living in Tokyo who has At the same time, the Kadoories were convinced issued visas for refugees to Japan being that one day China would open up again. They written books on Jewish refugees. While pur- insufficient, and demanded the Japanese maintained covert ties with the mainland and suing leads on survivors’ stories he learned Embassy in the Soviet Union re-examine never publicly criticized the communist regime. that Polish Jew Simon Korentajer had been the documents in March 1941. Howev- The strategy paid off in 1978, when the Ka- to Japan on travel documents issued by Nei. er, when questions were put to Nei about doories were welcomed back by Deng Xiaop- Korentajer’s grandchild Kim Hydorn, 53, them, he sent back a telegram saying he ing and invested a billion dollars in China’s first who resides in the United States, sent him was “unamused” by the query. nuclear plant. Later they helped to keep Hong pictures of the visa. After the war, Nei reportedly never talked Kong calm as the British negotiated its handover about having issued the visas, or about the to China, which took place in 1997. “You have The visa was issued on Feb. 28, 1941, and always been a friend to China,” an aide to Xi permits travel to the U.S. via the ports of diplomatic climate at the time. But in 2016 Jinping told Michael Kadoorie, grandson of Elly Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture on the Sea of an appreciation society for him was estab- and the current head of the family. Japan and Yokohama, which lies on the Pa- lished in the city of Miyazaki, the capital cific side of the country, in Kanagawa Prefec- of the southwestern prefecture of the same Michael Kadoorie still believes that Hong name and the area he grew up in. Kong’s business community must work with ture south of Tokyo. Nei’s signature and the China. Last summer, as the city was racked by consulate in Vladivostok’s official seal are Efforts to bring recognition to his achieve- increasingly violent anti-China demonstrations, also included. It was printed on a separate ments are continuing. Kitade said, “I he wrote a full-page advertisement that ran in document to his passport. want to see light shed on Nei, whose local English and Chinese newspapers. “It is According to Kitade, Korentajer was born in presence has been hidden in the shadow disheartening to see what has overtaken the of Sugihara.” city recently,” he wrote. “I do not support vi- Warsaw, and escaped from Poland to Lithu- olence nor do I believe this should be the way ania with his family after it was invaded by Saburo Nei was born in the village of Hi- to resolve conflicts.” Instead, he pleaded, China Nazi Germany in September 1939. In early rose, now part of the city of Miyazaki, in must “find solutions in mutual respect, under- February 1941, the U.S. Embassy in Mos- 1902. He studied abroad with the Ministry standing and open dialogue.” cow rejected their application for visas to of Foreign Affairs in 1921, and learned Rus- It’s a familiar dilemma for the Kadoories. When- enter the United States. They then traveled sian at the Nichiro Kyokai Gakko school ever China has been open and engaged with the ia the Trans-Siberian Railway across the for Japanese and Russian cooperation, world—in Shanghai in the 1920s and 1930s, in oviet Union to Vladivostok on the country’s now Harbin University, in what was then Hong Kong under British rule, and in mainland eastern coast. occupied Manchuria and is now northeast- China after 1978—the family has prospered. ern China. Chiune Sugihara was two terms At the time, the Japanese government would Their success is a testament to China’s ability to above him at the school. As a diplomat, absorb foreign influences and benefit from for- not grant transit visas to people without per- Nei was stationed in the Soviet Union and eign investment. But as the country turns more mission to reach their final destination, but it in Iran, and from December 1940 took up assertive and nationalistic, the tightrope the Ka- appears that Nei made an independent deci- the post of acting consul-general at the doories walk is growing thinner. sion to issue them. In March 1941, Korenta- consulate in Vladivostok. After the war he Jonathan Kaufman is director of the School of jer and his family set foot on Japanese soil by resigned from the Ministry of Foreign Af- Journalism at Northeastern University. This es- entering from Tsuruga. They then traveled fairs, and joined the Immigration Services say is adapted from his new book The Last Kings from Kobe, in the western prefecture of Hy- Agency of Japan. He went on to serve as of Shanghai: The Rival Jewish Dynasties That ogo, to Shanghai. They finally reached the the head of the regional immigration bu- Helped Create Modern China (Viking, 2020). U.S. after the war in August 1947, when they reaus in Kagoshima and Nagoya. 6 Points East Coronavirus, continued from page 1 she says, there are temperature and mask no answer. It’s why I felt I had to make [the checks everywhere as well as complex film].” Now there are 13 Chabad centers across regulations around eating out and package “Quezon’s Game” was recently screened China including three in Shanghai alone, deliveries, including how far tables must be and Reform progressive communities in in the US after having garnered 25 inter- apart at restaurants. Most apartment com- national film festival awards. Matthew and Beijing and Shanghai. There’s also an Israeli plexes, including hers, have no-guest poli- Sephardic synagogue in Shanghai. It’s esti- Lorena Rosen co-wrote the original script. cies. “Getting together has taken on a new Their son, Dean Rosen, collaborated with mated that 10,000 Jews live in China year- joy,” Frishberg said. round, a smattering among China’s stagger- Janice Y. Perez to turn it into a screenplay. ing 1.4 billion people, but it swells during Miriam Groner is the digital director and Dean Rosen also composed the original tourist season and throughout the year for an occasional writer at The Jewish Media music, which incorporates songs written business: An afternoon prayer service at Group. by concentration camp victims. Several the mega Canton manufacturing fair which Manilaners…share reflections during the takes place a few times a year in Guangzhou credits. regularly has over 500 people. “One of the most common [reactions to In Beijing and Shanghai, the two main com- Philippines’ WWII Rescue of the film] by rabbis and Jewish communi- munities operate independently but there Jews Featured in New Film ties is, ‘I had no idea,’” said Rosen, who is some overlap among congregants and with “Quezon’s Game” made his feature programming. “We’re one community, we By Rich Tenorio film directorial debut. “For me, it makes just pray separately on Friday night,” Dini me feel more necessary to do [this], to tell Excerpted from Times of Israel 20 February the Jewish community that the Philippines Freundlich said, speaking of Beijing’s Jewish 2020 population. [Freundlich is co-director of the stuck out a helping hand when they really Chabad center in Beijing with her husband In the late 1930s, Philippines president needed it”… Rabbi Shimon Freundlich, which operates a Manuel Quezon welcomed over 1,200 In real life, Rosen said, Quezon befriend- Hebrew school, a trilingual day school for Jews from Germany and Austria into an un- ed five brothers from a Jewish cigar man- 60 kids, a kosher restaurant, a synagogue likely haven in the Pacific archipelago. With ufacturing family, the Frieders. In the film, and Jewish holiday programs.] his Open Doors policy, even as most na- one of the brothers, Alex Frieder, learns in tions closed their doors to Jewish refugees, a telegram that the Germans are making Members of the Reform communities in Bei- these Jews — who came to be known as death camps for Jews. He urges Quezon to jing and Shanghai also describe a close-knit, “Manilaners” — escaped Hitler’s growing offer a haven for Jews wishing to flee Eu- unified group, despite its transient nature. menace and reached the Philippine capi- rope. “It’s just this wonderful community made tal… up of people from all different backgrounds Quezon requests thousands of visas from who aren’t necessarily involved in the Jew- The little-known rescue was commemorat- the US government, but he faces anti-Sem- ish community in their hometowns, but ed on January 27, International Holocaust itism in the State Department… Quezon here they discover what their Judaism is,” Remembrance Day, at the United Nations faced internal opposition to his refugee said Leon Fenster, an artist from Britain who in New York, as well as at the Philippine plan within the Philippines. “The people often led services at Kehillat Beijing during embassy’s recently inaugurated cultural were friendly, the politicians were wor- his six-year stint in China’s capital. center in Tel Aviv, the Balai Quezon. ried,” NY-based rescued Jew Ralph Preiss A new feature film, “Quezon’s Game,” may told The Times of Israel. “Quezon had to do There are around 730 people across the Ke- help cement the initiative’s place in history. this at his own political disadvantage. The hillat Beijing and Kehilat Shanghai WeChat Tel Aviv attendees got a sneak-peek at clips opposition party certainly was against it.” groups, many of whom, like Fenster, now from the film, which is directed by Phil- live outside of the country. ippine-based Jewish filmmaker Matthew Quezon’s health also hindered his ability; China’s Jewish community members were Rosen, who was on hand for the showing. he was battling a relapse of the tubercu- effusive about the country’s welcoming en- They also saw the 2020 documentary, “The losis that would eventually kill him while vironment, saying that anti-Semitism is prac- Last Manilaners,” directed by Nico Hernan- convalescing at Saranac Lake, New York, in tically unheard of. “It makes Chinese history dez. Guests at the UN watched clips from 1944 — two years before Philippine inde- stand out,” Fenster said. “We just don’t think a 2012 documentary by Filipino filmmaker pendence following World War II… about it. There’s absolutely no history of an- Noel Izon, “An Open Door: Jewish Rescue According to [Philippine ambassador to Is- ti-Semitism.” in the Philippines.” rael] Imperial, the real-life Quezon wanted Dan Krassenstein, 56, a supply chain spe- The films build upon past remembrance to bring tens of thousands of Jews to the cialist who lived in Shanghai for 15 years efforts, such as Manilaner Frank Ephraim’s Philippines and permanently settle them agreed. “There [in China] Jews are treated book, “Escape to Manila.” on the island of Mindanao…“Unfortunate- like long-lost brothers and with a lot of re- ly, the Americans rejected the idea,” he The genesis of “Quezon’s Game” came said, adding that a compromise figure of spect. The Chinese and Jews share a lot of when filmmaker Rosen, a UK native who similar values in terms of respect for family 10,000 was reached — 1,000 visas over relocated to the Philippines in the 1980s, 10 years — but the Japanese invasion of and our elders, and therefore [they] afford noticed that his Filipina wife, Lorena Rosen, Jews and Israelis a lot of respect.” the Philippines brought the program to “an knew the words to “Hava Nagila” and that abrupt end”… Slowly, some young professionals have local children could sing it, but none knew started returning to China. Hannah Maia its origins. This prompted him to make Rosen lists the number [saved] as 1,226: Frishberg, 26, is a resident at the Shanghai some inquiries at a local Manila synagogue 1,200 off the boat and 26 refugees from Moishe House where she helps organize and its museum beginning in 2009. Shanghai before the Japanese invasion. But events for young Jewish professionals. She he estimated that “nearly 100 more [found] “I thought the story was amazing,” Rosen their own way here, escaped on their own.” was previously the community coordinator said, but “what was more amazing than that at Kehilat Shanghai and now works in the story” was how “nobody knew [about it], development department at NYU Shanghai. “He put them on his land,” Rosen said, re- not even my wife or most Filipinos.” Asked ferring to part of the presidential home in Since returning to Shanghai…Frishberg says why there was hardly any recollection, he Marikina. “He actually [saved] a few more life is slowly creeping back to normal. Still, replied, “It’s an excellent question. I have than [Oskar] Schindler.” Points East 7 Campaign, continued from page 1 multi-front campaign against China. the founder and director of SIGNAL, the Si- punishing Israel, not China, because what is The Trump administration’s recently pub- no-Israel Global Network & Academic Lead- macro-economical for Israel is micro-eco- lished “United States Strategic Approach ership, who in an interview with Times of nomical for China. to the People’s Republic of China,” adopts Israel on 20 May 2020 offered the following a much harder line against China and its pragmatic advice: “People talk about the US About the same time, I received by mail, un- pressing allies to choose. Pick a side. Isra- solicited, a copy of The Epoch Times, featur- ruling Communist Party, painting them as America’s enemy. The document argues el already has a side. There is no choosing ing a special report “How the Chinese Com- here. And China knows it. China realizes that munist Party Endangered the World.” Buried that “Beijing will attempt to convert OBOR projects [its Belt and Road Initiative] into the joint US-Israel development of military inside the issue, which purports to docu- technology and the US financial backing for ment how the CCP was using COVID-19 to undue political influence and military ac- cess. Beijing uses a combination of threat military equipment as well as the US veto in pursue its global ambitions, was the fact that the UN Security Council are things that Chi- the paper is published by American practi- and inducement to pressure governments, elites, corporations, think tanks, and others na will not be providing.” Nonetheless, she tioners of Falun Gong, whose enmity of the adds, “Israel and China want to continue to Chinese government is well-known. – often in an opaque manner – to toe the CCP line and censor free expression.” Put do business together.” In other words, the As I considered this coincidental timing, the another way, American economic and po- relationship will continue to flourish because Jewish online magazine Tablet published, litical dominance is threatened by Chinese of mutual interest. on 18 May and again on 24 May, a screed advances and Washington will bully foreign The question, to my mind, is how much entitled “China’s Plan to Win Control of the “governments, elites, corporations, think pressure from Washington can Israel tolerate Global Order” by Tanner Greer, identified tanks, and others” to toe its own line, citing before it acquiesces, particularly when the only as a “journalist and researcher.” Upon freedom of expression as its concern. Trump Administration seems hell-bent on investigation, I found out that Greer often giving Israel everything it wants territorially. writes for the National Review, the Weekly An example of this “long-term strategic com- Standard and the American Conservative, petition” is the increasing US pressure on its which would have provided important con- allies not to install Chinese fifth generation textual information for his rant. (5G) communications infrastructure, along with the possibility of punitive measures From Germany to Shanghai to On 2 June, writing for the JTA, Ron Kampeas, against those who ignore such warnings. San Francisco its Washington D.C. correspondent, de- scribed how, under President Trump, the Although I am not blind to the Chinese gov- By Kevin Ostoyich United States was putting pressure on Israel, ernment’s faults with regards to religious Excerpted from the American Institute for Con- along with many of its allies, to limit Chinese freedom, its treatment of minorities and its temporary German Studies, Johns Hopkins Uni- investment in the country as part of his trade human rights abuses, and although America versity, 20 November 2019 www.aicgs.org war with China. To highlight the dangers does have legitimate commercial concerns, Clean Breaks posed to Israel, Kampeas only cited conser- we owe it to ourselves not to fall prey to American anti-China rhetoric, neither on the Rudy Nothenberg likes clean breaks. His expe- vative writers, virtually ignoring other sourc- rience as a Jewish refugee in Shanghai started to es who might have balanced his assessment. issue of Chinese-Israeli relations nor on the subject of the Kaifeng Jewish descendents. recede into the past the day he left the city for Looking into the sources Kampeas cited led (For an example of the latter, see the articles the United States. He states matter-of-factly, “It me to the Hudson Institute, a conservative on religion in China by Lela Gilbert, Adjunct was a new life, and I was looking forward and think-tank based in Washington D.C. In Fellow, Center for Religious Freedom at the began to live it.” Rudy arrived in San Francisco recent times, it has published over 200 arti- Hudson Institute.) as a headstrong, independent sixteen-year-old. cles that deal with US-China-Israeli relations He managed to keep the break with Shanghai in greater or lesser degree including “The One way we can immunize ourselves clean for close to seventy years. Then some- Impasse Obstructing U.S.-Israel Relations, against this “political virus” is by reading thing happened. A man full of anti-Semitic ha- and How to Remedy It” by Arthur Herman more balanced approaches to the issue of tred walked into the Tree of Life Congregation (which was also featured, with a more in- US-China-Israeli relations. As opposed to in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and started shoot- flammatory headline, in the right-leaning hearing from the Trump administration and ing. Among the victims that day was the belief online Jewish publication Mosaic), and “The its Jewish-American proxies, read articles by that what was past was past, and what is present those thinkers who strive to find more nu- is present. That clean, temporal break had be- China Factor in U.S.-Israel Relations” and anced ways to navigate US-China tensions. “The Chinese Challenge to the U.S.-Israel come unbroken. For publications that still tilt to an American In the aftermath of the Pittsburgh shooting, Relationship” by Douglas Feith. Herman is perspective, consider Investment in Israeli a senior fellow at the Institute and author of Rudy found himself thinking much more about Technology and Infrastructure: Security Im- his German past and, specifically, about his nine books. He is also a frequent contrib- plications for Israel and the United States, by utor to Commentary, Mosaic, National Re- mother. He started to think about what his Shira Efron, Karen Schwindt, Emily Haskel, mother would have thought if she had heard view, the New York Post, and the Wall Street published by the Rand Corporation and For- Journal. Feith, also a senior fellow, served as that something so heinous—something so rem- eign Involvement in Strategic Infrastructures iniscent of the Nazi past—had come to pass in under secretary of defense for policy from Requires Clear Guidelines, by Galia Lavi and July 2001 to August 2005 under President the American present. Rudy found himself sit- Shira Efron, published by the Institute for Na- ting in front of his computer, plugging his moth- Bush I. His writings have appeared in the tional Security Studies at Tel Aviv University. Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Wash- er’s name—Jeannette Nothenberg—into Goo- Shalom Salomon Wald’s fine paper, China’s gle. He did not find much, but as he continued ington Post, Commentary, New Republic, Rise, US Opposition, and the Implications and elsewhere. to search, he eventually found the name Kurt for Israel, published by the Jewish People Nothenberg—his father. The name appeared Although Herman, Feith and others asso- Policy Institute, is less concerned with pla- in an article with the title “Back on Straw.” The ciated with Hudson are legitimate, albeit cating American interests and stakes out a article chronicled a little-known story within a politically conservative, scholars, it is clear solid, moderate position with Israel’s best larger, but still, little-known story. It was about to me that there is a concerted campaign interests in mind. The writings of Yitzhak 106 refugees, who were spurned by the United Shichor and Dale Alluf also offer balanced, to discredit China-Israel ties in the eyes of States and sent to Bremen, Germany, in 1950. Israel-centric perspectives. Americans in general, and Jews and Israelis These refugees had landed in San Francisco in particular, as part of the US government’s I cede the next-to-last word to Carice Witte, from Shanghai, China, where they had found 8 Points East haven from the Holocaust with some 16,000 Kurt was not very successful. Rudy remembers old toothpaste tubes, to be melted down and to 18,000 others. Jeannette being the main force in the family. sold as bars to the Japanese. Rudy, having rarely spoken to anyone about Regarding Kurt, Rudy reflects, “my impressions, The family took shelter as the Americans started his now unbroken past, decided to contact fair or not, are that as the son of and at least until bombing the outskirts of the city in 1944. Rudy the historian of the “Back on Straw” piece and 1939, under the control of, a domineering fa- recalls “being delighted each time there was a tell his story. The following is Rudy’s unbro- ther, he was a weak, and certainly in compari- loud explosion indicating a target being hit.” ken past, and the message it conveys informs son to my mother, ineffectual man.” For a time, He also remembers the Japanese anti-aircraft our present and future. the family all did piece-work in their apartment, batteries and how one time after an air raid he Indefatigable “taking medicinal tablets that came in bulk and found that a 5-inch piece of flak shrapnel had hand counting them out to refill into smaller re- burst through the window and was lying on Rudy (Rudolf) Nothenberg was born in Sch- tail size containers.”… weidnitz, Germany (present-day Widnica, his bed. Like most refugees, Rudy remembers Poland) near Breslau (present-day Wrocław, In Shanghai, Rudy attended the Shanghai Jew- when, on July 17, 1945, the Americans acci- Poland) to Kurt and Jeannette (neé Cohn) on ish Youth Association School (also known as dentally bombed the Designated Area. He also October 12, 1932… Although he does not the Kadoorie School after its main benefactor, remembers hearing later that a “super bomb” have many memories of Germany, he does Horace Kadoorie). Kadoorie was a wealthy had been dropped on Japan. know that his father took him to the 1936 Sephardic Jewish businessman. The Sephar- Food was a problem for the family: “It was dif- Summer Olympics in Berlin. dic Jewish community had established itself in ficult. My mother worked and had an income Shanghai during the latter half of the nineteenth Two years later, Breslau—like countless cities which provided for us the opportunity to live century and used their considerable wealth not in a Heim, but in a rental unit. […] Nobody and towns throughout Germany—was a site to help the Jewish refugees from Europe who of Kristallnacht. [Rudy’s father] was round- ever starved. I don’t think there was a great entered Shanghai in great numbers in the late deal of variety in the menu.” He describes the ed up with other Jews and sent to Buchen- 1930s. Rudy explains that the school was in a wald. At the time, Jews could be released cooking: “You had a five-gallon can, which was U-shape, and was based on the British system of lined with clay, and you put paper and wood from concentration camps on the condition forms. English was the language of instruction. that they leave Germany immediately upon underneath it.” Given that Rudy had picked up Rudy remembers at a certain point being forced enough of the patois to communicate, he did release. Jeannette learned that Jews could to learn Japanese as well. Students started the flee to Shanghai and worked on making the most of the shopping… first form at one end of the U, and, over the Troop 13 necessary arrangements in order to get Kurt re- years, made their way to the other end… leased and the family out of the country. Kurt Most of Rudy’s memories of Shanghai are of the remained incarcerated in Buchenwald for one He remembers when the USS Wake was com- time after the war. He remembers the subse- month and six days, being released on either mandeered by the Japanese and the British ship quent arrival of American sailors in Shanghai. December 14 or 15, 1938. During his time in HMS Peterel was scuttled in the harbor at the “I remember spending a lot of time on the the concentration camp, Kurt contracted lung Bund on the morning of December 8, 1941. wharves with the American victory ships and disease. This perhaps was the beginning of his “The Pacific war began for us some two months admiring the sailors—the Navy guys—who sort struggle with tuberculosis. Rudy remembers after I turned nine and ended two months before of adopted this bunch of wild kids, [these] Euro- his father being hardly recognizable when he I would turn thirteen and, as callous as it may peans [whom] they found incomprehensively in returned from Buchenwald… sound, did not initially seem to much change China.” He says he and the other kids had “free life as I experienced and remember it.” The war run of those ships. And we came home with Kurt, Jeannette, and Rudy left Germany by did have a definite effect on Rudy’s parents, train to Genoa and journeyed to Shanghai on all kinds of food, stuff we had never seen and however: It halted Kurt’s wool business and didn’t even know existed: Spam, canned butter, the Conte Biancamano. Rudy remembers the made the relief work for Jeannette more difficult. Conte Biancamano in very positive terms… and God knows what.” He remembers that, for Rudy remembers, though, that for a while the years after the end of the war, the food that was Ever resourceful, ever indefatigable—the Japanese occupation forces “left us pretty much word Rudy believes best describes his moth- given to them by the Americans constituted a alone.” On February 18, 1943, this changed: considerable amount of their subsistence. er—Jeannette set out to start learning English The Japanese occupation forces proclaimed and shorthand during the journey in prepara- that all stateless refugees who had entered the Rudy became the editor-in-chief of the Shanghai tion for the new life in Shanghai. city after January 1, 1937, had to move into a Jewish Youth Association School’s newspaper. Rudy distinctly remembers arriving in Shang- Designated Area within the Hongkew section of He says it was easy to be the “editor-in-chief” hai: “It was pandemonium on the docks, the the city within a few months. The proclamation because there were no other editors. He joined overdressed refugees being beset by coolies, applied to the Nothenberg family. Although the both the Boy Scouts and the Zionist youth movement known at the Betar in 1946. Of the rickshaw drivers, and beggars. Ultimately apartment they were living in was in Hongkew, we, along with whatever luggage we had latter, he recalls, “I think I joined ‘Betar’ more it was outside of the Designated Area. Thus, out of loneliness than conviction and I must brought, were loaded on the back of some they had to move. trucks provided by one of the various Jewish have dropped out rather quickly. Other than Relief Committees and taken to a processing With the setting up of the Designated Area, the a group photograph that I still have, I don’t re- center.” The family immediately found shel- movement of the Jewish refugees was restrict- member any activities in which I may have par- ter at one of the Heime, the cramped bar- ed and only refugees who had been granted a ticipated.” The Boy Scouts was a different story. racks-style housing for the most impoverished pass from the sadistic Japanese official Kanoh He participated in the Scouts with both enthu- refugees. After staying only a few days at the Ghoya could exit what has become known as siasm and enjoyment. The Scouts in Shanghai Heim, they moved to an apartment in the run- the “Shanghai Ghetto.” Rudy remembers this was based on the British model. He took to the down Hongkew district. being particularly difficult and traumatic for his discipline of the Scouts, and eventually became At some point that winter, Jeannette started father. During the time the Designated Area a King Scout. working for one of the many relief organiza- was in effect, resources became increasingly One of the benefits of the Scouts was that it tions in the city, and her pay served as the scarce. The family did not go hungry, but strug- allowed Rudy to get out of the city and to a primary means of support for the family. Kurt gled with the cold: “I remember and can still recreational camp in the countryside. Many tried “to establish a business selling bolts of almost feel […] the inability to keep warm in the recreational activities organized by the Scouts imported fine wool to the many tailors serv- bitter winters—I still hate being cold which I al- took place in Pudong—today a major commer- ing the international community—there was ways associate with poverty.” Money was defi- cial center with skyscrapers, but at the time vast no ‘off-the-rack’ clothing then. This was nitely in scant supply in the Designated Area, farmland. The Scouts became the main focus a business that he attempted to continue and Rudy remembers he and the other children of Rudy’s social and recreational life. He fond- throughout the war years and after.” Overall, scavenging for anything containing lead, such as ly remembers his troop leader, Eric Bergtraum. Points East 9 He even reconnected with Bergtraum in San Jeannette had had to leave Kurt in Shanghai; he Kurt Nothenberg and the other Shanghai Francisco soon after arriving in the United was not permitted to come to the United States refugees were placed on the General Stur- States, but then lost track of him until he saw due to his tuberculosis. Eventually, Kurt was gis and sent across the Atlantic to Germany. his obituary many years later… one of the 106 refugees granted special permis- They landed in Bremerhaven on July 1, 1950. While in Shanghai, Kurt became increasingly sion to leave Shanghai due to the fall of China They were then transported to the Free Han- sick with tuberculosis. Jeannette continued to to communism. The group arrived in San Fran- seatic City of Bremen. work for the Jewish relief organization until cisco in the spring of 1950. Kurt, along with In Bremen the members of the Shanghai Group the end of the war, when she started working the other refugees, was immediately put on a were housed in a transport depot with mini- for the U.S. Armed Forces Educational Service. bus to the Oakland Train Depot, where they mal furnishings. Their arrival in Germany had After this she took a job with the American boarded a train that sent them across the coun- been arranged by President Harry Truman and firm William Hunt & Co., which represented try to New York. Rudy describes how father Chancellor Konrad Adenauer; the destination manufacturers exporting primarily machine and the other refugees were “herded around of Bremen had been agreed upon by Adenau- tools, and competed for contracts in China. like prisoners.” Jeannette had gone to the train er and the Bremen mayor, Wilhelm Kaisen. In 1948, Rudy got a job with the company as station and thus got to see him briefly on the Originally, it was thought the Shanghai Jews well. His job consisted mainly in providing platform. would stay in Bremen no longer than three catalogues and manuals that were submitted When Kurt and the other refugees arrived in months, and, according to the arrangement, with contract bids. New York, they were shipped to Ellis Island, the Free Hansa City of Bremen would han- Separate Journeys where they had to await word of whether they dle 30 percent of the costs of accommodating would be permitted to stay in the country. The the Shanghai Group and the Federal Repub- The family’s hopes to leave Shanghai for the press caught wind of the plight of the 106 refu- lic of Germany would pick up the remaining United States were hampered by Kurt’s tu- gees and various members of the U.S. Congress 70 percent. Those initial three months came berculosis. In 1949, it was decided that Max started to advocate that they be allowed to stay and went, as did many months more; as they [Rudy’s grandfather] and Rudy would leave in the country. On May 26, 1950, a resolution waited and waited, the Jewish refugees in Bre- for the United States and Jeannette would stay was drafted in the U.S. Senate, which stated in men started to ask awkward questions about behind with Kurt. Grandfather and grandson part, “That, in the administration of the immi- restitution payments; moreover, the issue of journeyed to the United States on the troop gration laws, certain Shanghai displaced per- the Shanghai Jews started to travel through a transporter USS General M. C. Meigs; they ar- sons, whose names are listed on the attached bureaucratic maze, with various agencies with- rived in March of 1949. Rudy clearly remem- schedule A who arrived in the United States on in the Bremen government and federal govern- bers “passing under the Golden Gate Bridge May 23, 1950, shall be allowed to remain in ment denying responsibility. and seeing the city for the first time; all whites the United States until the close of the second and pastels set against the green hills—love at On July 1, 1951, a year after the General St- session of the Eighty-first Congress to permit a urgis had arrived in Bremerhaven with the first sight.” While in Shanghai, Rudy’s grand- determination as to their eligibility for visas un- father had felt it beneath him to learn English. Shanghai Group of 106 refugees, 19 of the der such displaced-persons legislation as shall refugees once again boarded the General St- Thus, it fell to Rudy to make arrangements at that time be in effect.” upon arrival in San Francisco. As Rudy re- urgis to return to the United States… Kurt No- members it: “He was supposed to take care of Ultimately, the attempts to win admittance for thenberg, still battling tuberculosis, was not me. I think I took care of him more than he the 106 refugees failed. On June 19, 1950, on the ship. took care of me.” Shortly after arriving, Max Chairman Emanuel Celler of the Committee Rudy remembers the extent to which his became immersed in a refugee community on the Judiciary of the U.S. House of Repre- mother was consumed by the quest to get her and found a girlfriend. At that point, grand- sentatives sent a letter to Ernst G. Elguther and husband back to the United States. “If there father and grandson went their separate ways. Dr. Hugo Lewinsohn, who were acting as the was anything that could have been done, or In the ensuing years, Max Nothenberg be- leaders of the group of the Shanghai Jewish should have been done, or might have been came religiously devout, married the girlfriend refugees on Ellis Island. In the letter Celler done, or would be remotely possible to get in San Francisco, and then when she died, he claimed that he had done everything he could done, she would have been involved.” He wed for a third time. Rudy had little to do with do and would continue to do so but noted that laughs and says that his mother was “a deter- his grandfather and does not remember when their case was “a very intricate one, and it can mined woman.” he died. Rudy sums up his relationship with be necessary that the refugees be transferred Eventually, Jeannette was able to get the Na- the only grandparent he ever knew succinctly: to some country to await admission into the tional Jewish Hospital in Denver to accept “I was living my own selfish life, and he was United States. Of this, however, you can be Kurt as a patient. With this acceptance, Kurt living his own selfish life.” sure—that any such transfer will be a temporary was finally allowed to make the journey to the one which will result in final entrance into the In order to enter the United States, Rudy had United States, the country he and his family United States under the Displaced Persons Act had wanted to go to immediately after his been sponsored by a farmer in Iowa; thus, recently signed by the President.” Celler not- Rudy was supposed to leave San Francisco release from Buchenwald back in December ed that he had spoken with President Truman 1938. Now, some fourteen years later, the for the Hawkeye State. This was simply not about the Shanghai Group and that the Pres- something the headstrong sixteen-year-old paper walls had finally come down for Kurt ident was “most sympathetic” to their plight. Nothenberg. was going to do. After splitting from his grand- The next day the Shanghai Group received a father, Rudy spent the next few months shar- cable from U.S. Senator Herbert H. Lehman as Kurt went directly to Denver and was admit- ing a room on Baker Street with a schoolmate they waited on Ellis Island: ted into the hospital, where he underwent friend from Shanghai named Ted. Despite the many surgeries on his weakened lungs. Jean- company, Rudy remembers being lonely. He I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE ENROUTE TO nette was employed in San Francisco and did was a lonely and headstrong sixteen-year-old. IRO CAMPS IN GERMANY. I KNOW THE not move to Denver. Rudy estimates that He remembers searching “help wanted” ads TENSIONS TO WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN EX- his father was in Denver for a year or more. and, due to his lack of resources, remembers POSED AND THE SUFFERINGS YOU HAVE During this time, Rudy made one visit to his making free “tomato soup” from hot water and ENDURED IN PAST YEARS. ARRANGE- father in the hospital. Although he had not catsup at the cafeteria in the Flood Building. MENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THOSE seen his father in years, the thing that sticks About eight to nine months after he had land- WHO ARE ELIGIBILE UNDER OUR LAWS out most about the visit is that it occasioned ed, his mother arrived in San Francisco. Ted TO RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES AFTER Rudy’s first flight on an airplane. He remem- and Rudy parted ways, and Rudy and Jean- PROPER SCREENING. MEANWHILE YOU bers little else. As Rudy thinks back, he ad- nette moved into third-floor rooms in a Victo- WILL BE CARED FOR BY IRO AND U S VOL- mits being a somewhat callous youth at the rian house on Fulton Street. UNTARY AGENCIES. time, and says, “It was not a highly emotional 10 Points East reunion. If it were, I probably would remem- His work in politics picked up considerably in private person. Nevertheless, he also has felt ber it more.” 1964, when he ran the successful state legisla- uncomfortable with how the history has been After Kurt was released from the National ture campaign for Willie L. Brown and then ac- portrayed, particularly with those who he Jewish Hospital, he moved from Denver to companied Brown to Sacramento. Rudy and believes seem to want to make the history of San Francisco. Kurt and Jeannette then lived Brown forged a very close relationship; the two Shanghai into a “great tragic drama and expect together in San Francisco for another eight or even, at one time, shared a desk while working ashes and sack cloth and tears…I empathize nine years. At first, Kurt tried to establish a busi- together in the office of the attorney and civil and sympathize with the tragedy of my parents ness selling imported quality gloves, but ulti- rights activist Terry Francios. […] and what they lost. But to me, you take a mately his health did not permit him to do so. One of Rudy’s proudest accomplishments in kid and you put a kid in a circumstance, and Jeannette continued to work and Rudy believes his many years working with Brown was the that’s their world and their experience, and his parents were happy despite his father being successful introduction and passage of the they don’t know what the hell they’re missing very frail and being bedridden with an oxygen Consenting Adult Sex Bill (Assembly Bill 489), if they’re missing anything. Do I regret it? Not tank for the last few years. Rudy sums up his which took many years from its initial introduc- for a moment. Would I have liked to have father’s fate simply: “He was never healthy tion in the California State Legislature until it grown up in Germany? Not for a moment. again.” Kurt Nothenberg passed away in 1961. came into effect as law. In 1966, Rudy was I am happy with my life. I lived there, and I Rudy had moved out on his own by the time appointed as a State Inheritance Tax Appraiser don’t dwell in it. I don’t think it as a tragedy. his father arrived from Denver. Above all else, and briefly worked in this capacity. He then I don’t pass it along as a tragedy. I don’t talk he remembers his transition to life in the Unit- walked into the hornet’s nest of racial tension about it as a tragedy. Even if anybody wants it ed States as being a lonely one. He says, “I and student-administration battles at San Fran- to be.” Upon reflection though, he adds, “On was very lonely until I found a something to cisco State College (now University). There the other hand, it was a tragedy for my parents. belong to, or get involved with…He went to Rudy served as the Executive Director of the San People who came there as adults and lost ev- the Jewish Community Relations Board, which Francisco State College Foundation, which, in erything, and shattered whatever beliefs they helped arrange interviews with Jewish compa- addition to managing the student fees, ran the might have had about the society in which nies. Through this route he landed a job work- Campus Bookstore, cafeteria, and on-campus they lived.”… ing for the wholesale grocery and liquor distill- dorms. Rudy witnessed sit-ins, police beatings Roots and Diamonds ing company Haas Brothers. He worked there of students, and a revolving door of administra- Despite serving in the U.S. Army and having moving up until he was recruited by a compet- tive turnover. From 1970 to 1974, he served as been naturalized in 1955, Rudy had a lingering itor known as Tiedemann & McMorran. Chief of Staff of the California Assembly Ways sense of insecurity. For, as he explains, once Rudy started to get involved in politics short- & Means Committee. He then was asked to one is a refugee, it is difficult to ever feel ful- ly after arriving in the United States. “My first assist George Moscone’s campaign for San ly rooted anywhere. One way this feeling of awareness of politics was in the warehouse… Francisco mayor in 1975. After the successful insecurity manifested itself was in Rudy’s pur- where I was doing inventory for Haas Brothers, campaign, Rudy served as Deputy Mayor for chasing diamonds. He felt the portable wealth where the union was involved in the senatorial Mayor Moscone. In this capacity, Rudy su- would stand him in good stead were he to have campaign of Nixon vs. Helen Gahagan Doug- pervised the budget for the city. In November to leave the country on short notice. Rudy las.” This would have been in 1950. He then 1978 it was Rudy who found Moscone after kept his diamonds until 1982. He found out, became interested in Adlai Stevenson and vol- he had been shot by ex-San Francisco Super- though, that regardless of whether he had the unteered for his 1952 presidential campaign. visor Dan White. Rudy stayed on to work for diamonds or not, the refugee feeling of insecu- It was through his political volunteer work that Dianne Feinstein, who became mayor in the rity was always there. Although the feeling has Rudy met and fell in love with Laura Woods. aftermath of the assassination. Rudy continued diminished over the years, it is not totally gone, to work as Deputy Mayor under Feinstein until the roots are never perfectly rooted… In April 1951, Rudy joined the National Guard. 1983. Rudy has maintained an intimate friend- Rudy claims that he did so in order to avoid So, aside from lingering feelings of insecurity, ship with Feinstein and her husband, Richard it seemed that Rudy Nothenberg had managed being drafted. He quickly moved up the ranks C. Blum, for many decades. to Sergeant First Class. After receiving three very well to keep the past in its place and live deferments, he was drafted into the U.S. Army Over the years, Rudy served in various ad- life in the present and for the future. But then in March 1954. After completing his basic ministrative roles in San Francisco, including Pittsburgh happened. He explains, “It was af- training, Rudy and Laura were married on June General Manager of the San Francisco Public ter the attack on the synagogue in Pittsburgh, 1. Rudy then served in the Army until March Utilities, Chief Administrative Officer of the and […] both [my wife] Margo and I thought 18, 1956. He believes he was very fortunate City and County of San Francisco, Head of the of my mother. I thought ‘what a horrible thing to have been stationed at the Presidio in San Economic Development team for Mayor Willie it would have been for her to see this happen- Francisco. This allowed him to work on a part- L. Brown, and President of the San Francisco ing—a recurrence of this kind of hatred and time basis at Tiedemann & McMorran. He Municipal Transportation Commission… violence.’”… enjoyed serving and believes his participation Rudy has not talked about Shanghai often. He The Pittsburgh shooting jolted Rudy, and yet, in the Boy Scouts had provided him excellent was completely unaware of the Rickshaw Re- he did not find it all that surprising. His years preparation for the Army. unions that brought together Shanghailanders of fighting political battles for social justice While serving in the military, Rudy became a from across the United States. He finally found had taught him about the darkness that lurks citizen of the United States of America. The out about them about ten years ago but has even within this country of refuge: “Was I sur- naturalization process had been sped up on ac- never attended one. He was asked to speak prised at the extent of anti-Semitism here and count of his service to his new country. a couple of times during local screenings of a the anger that has been released by the Trump documentary on Shanghai. The topic was not Starting in 1959 he attended night classes at administration? No. I’m not surprised. I’m even discussed much in his own household. not surprised. I think you can tear that scab Golden Gate College, and in November 1963 He did write a memoir—the first volume in he passed the Certified Public Accountant of civility away […] and generate hatred and 2007 and the second volume in 2014—for anger in this country very, very easy. It’s got Examination. In 1965 he was asked to teach his daughters, Micah and Shirim, his grand- classes at the College and for the next twen- a history. Not so much for Jews, but certainly children, Eli and Kalina, and his second wife, for blacks and people of color and minorities ty-two years did so as an adjunct professor. Margo. Nevertheless, he wrote at the begin- With respect to politics, Philip Burton became generally. So, I’m not surprised that there is ning of the first volume, “Even this effort is not this reservoir of hatred and anger. But what I Rudy’s mentor, and Rudy immersed himself in entirely voluntary—a response to the importun- the Young Democrats movement. Rudy bus- think is so frightening about it is that it is being ing of those about whom I care deeply.” He encouraged by the national administration for ied himself running campaigns at local, region- says this is due in part to his being by nature a al, and then senatorial and presidential level. the first time since a hundred years.” Points East 11 Rudy hopes that young people will learn his was no forced labor. Soldiers who had been history, the history of the Shanghai Jewish ref- under constant fire during the siege of Port Ar- BOOK NOOK ugees, and the wider history of the Holocaust. thur were able to recover from wounds and He feels “it is absolutely imperative that peo- build themselves up physically. Trumpeldor A Century of Jewish Life in Shanghai, ed- ple understand the history of this country and was provided with an artificial arm, and given ited by Steve Hochstadt. Touro Universi- the history of the world as they move into their the opportunity for political activism. ty Press (distributed by Academic Studies Press), 2019 | 256 pp. adult life. I would encourage them […] to be The Japanese policy of segregating Jewish (and aware of their own history and the history of other) prisoners from ethnic Russians worked ISBN: 9781644691311 | $109.00 | Hard- cover their own country and try to learn from that to Trumpeldor’s advantage as he deepened and avoid allowing the same kinds of hatreds his understanding of Zionism and sought to Reviewed by Beverly Friend and bitterness and anger to become common promote that ideology. As a senior officer, he The next best thing to attending a confer- in this country as it has done so disastrously in attempted to propagate his new-found faith ence on a fascinating topic lies in reading Germany and other countries and is becom- among 1739 Jewish prisoners. He estab- the papers presented there. A Century of ing again disastrously so in Hungary and Po- Jewish Life in Shanghai is a compilation lished a Zionist society with approximately of such conference papers presented over land. And if you know your history, you can’t 125 members and published a rump Russian/ let it be repeated. People who allow that to three days in Shanghai in June 2015. The Yiddish newspaper with a weekly circulation work in its entirety offers not only historical be repeated in their public life are people who of about 300 copies. While evidence of his content, but intellectually stimulating hy- don’t know their history.” He believes it is success among his own men is fragmentary potheses and conclusions. It is a valuable important to study “the history of the event, and problematic, he established a precedent contribution both for scholars and anyone but only as a model for what should not be for Zionist activism by officers and chaplains interested in Jewish history in China. happening, what government should not be in the interwar years and during and shortly Manli Ho, daughter of Dr. Feng Shan Ho— allowed to do to their people or people who after World War II. who saved many Jews from the Shoah while are trying to become their people. You can he was Chinese Consul General in Vienna talk about the ‘wall’ [at the U.S.-Mexico bor- In 1905-06, en route back to European Rus- 1938-40—was the featured speaker. She der] and you can talk about the fact that the sia, Trumpeldor visited the Manchurian city was joined by distinguished scholars who ‘wall’ existed for all the Jews in Europe in the of Harbin and attempted to impart Zionism to included Dan Ben-Canaan, Jonathan Gold- thirties. It’s the same sentiment. There’s his- the local Russian-Jewish population, also with stein, Xu Xin, and Steve Hochstadt –editor tory there, and we can’t let it be repeated.”… limited success. As with his fellow soldiers in of this volume. In addition, former refugees the Hamadera and Takaishi camps, most Jew- and others who had lived in Shanghai be- The author is grateful to the Sino-Judaic In- ish Kharbintsy were adherents of traditional fore World War II spoke. stitute, the Florence and Laurence Spungen non-Zionist Orthodox Judaism. Some were Following Hochstadt’s introduction discuss- Family Foundation, and Dean Jon Kilpinen of non-Zionist socialistically-inclined adherents ing the historical number of Jews residing the College of Arts and Sciences of Valpara- of Der Algemeyner Yiddisher Arbeter Bund in Shanghai at any given time, a compari- iso University for their continued support. in Lite, Polyn, un Russland (=The General son with other cities, and their importance, The views expressed are those of the author(s) the volume is divided into three sections: Union of Jewish Workers in Lithuania, Po- Shanghai before the War, Shanghai and the alone. They do not necessarily reflect the land, and Russia, usually referred to as “The views of the American Institute for Contempo- Holocaust, and Looking back on Shanghai. Bund”). Others favored the emergent Folk- Shanghai before the War rary German Studies. spartei, which championed Jewish cultural autonomy within Yiddish-speaking Eastern In the first section, Masie Meyer examines the recollections of Baghdadi Jews while Europe. Situated in the privileged atmosphere Anne Atkinson and Liliane Willens focus on of Russia’s “colony in China,” these Jews did Russian migrations. Trumpeldor Reappears not wish to immigrate to Palestine. Looking at the history of the first Jews to Trumpeldor’s personal commitment to Zion- live in Shanghai, In Shanghai Remembered: [SJI International Advisory Board member ism received its fullest expression in 1912 Recollections of Shanghai’s Baghdadi Jews, Jonathan Goldstein’s English-language article when he emigrated to Kibbutz Degania in Ot- Meyer begins by defining the Baghdadi as “Uphill Political Struggle: Joseph Trumpeldor toman Palestine and, in 1920, died in defense Arab-speaking Jews from Baghdad, Basra, in Japan and Manchuria, 1904-1906,” which and other places in the Ottoman Empire, of the Tel Hai farming community. His career appeared in Israel Affairs (London) 24, no. 1 Cairo, and Egypt, and non-Arabic speak- inspired the Zionist movement named after (February 2018), pp. 150-66, has just been ing Jews from Persia and Afghanistan. Then him, Brit Trumpeldor. Abbreviated BETAR, it published in Hebrew in Ha-Ummah (The Na- she follows their economic successes, keen influenced leaders of the Jewish exodus from tion)(Tel Aviv) 218 (April 2020), pp. 70-80. sense of community, socioeconomic differ- China in 1948-49. By then Mao’s Communist The following is a précis of the article. Ed.] ences, affinity to the British, and relationship revolution portended only peril and disloca- to the Chinese – often lacing and enhancing Russian-Jewish army officer Joseph Trumpel- tion. The very places which Jews considered the history with anecdotal material. dor (1880-1920) was arguably the most cele- safe havens during Trumpeldor’s earlier visit, In a similar vein, Atkinson’s contribution brated Jewish military hero of the first half of notably Harbin and the other Manchurian rail- springs from her own personal history, re- the twentieth-century. He lost his left arm in way cities, became insecure. Viewing Trum- lating the story of the Burak Family: The Mi- the battle of Port Arthur in the Russo-Japanese peldor as only partially successful in his early gration of a Russian Jewish Family Through War of 1904-05 and underwent a year-long Zionistic efforts in Japan and Manchuria may the First Half of the Twentieth Century. She Japanese imprisonment in camps at Hamadera somewhat tarnish the myth of the one-armed details the family’s initial subjugation and limitations as to economic activities, com- and Takaishi, near Osaka. Under the regula- soldier and pioneering farmer. The inclusion mercial occupations, and the constant fear tions of the Hague Convention of 1899, the of the Japanese and Manchurian dimensions of pogroms, travelling through many hard- conditions in Japanese POW camps were not of Trumpeldor’s uphill political struggle situ- ships until reaching Shanghai in 1920. Even harsh. Censored correspondence was permit- ates this hero within a far more realistic, and after reaching there, the story continues to be ted, prisoners received allowances, and there less Eurocentric, context. an absorbing one of meeting and conquering 12 Points East adversity. were both official and unofficial responses – perience, she still wanted to hear Chaya Le- Willen’s essay goes into greater detail in Rus- mostly surprising proposals for settlement of ah’s voice like the dove in the crook of the sian Jews in Shanghai 1920-1950; New Life the Jews – which he discusses in great detail. rock—a metaphor from the Shir Ha’Shirim as Shanghailanders, setting her family’s story Looking Back at Shanghai (Song of Songs) that provides the title of the work. As Schwarcz listened, she realized in the midst of political and social upheavals To quote Dan Ben-Canaan in Imagined Ge- that the Shir Ha’Shirim could help her to in a time that she describes as a “very chaotic ographies, Imagined Identities, Imagined era in China, a country beset by civil wars hear Chaya Leah’s voice—her agency—and Glocal Histories, his purpose is to examine convey the story and meaning of her histo- and a brutal enemy occupation.” “stories of people’s movements from one Shanghai during the Holocaust ry to others. Regarding the Shir Ha’Shirim, place to another and on to another in an Schwarcz writes, While materials about Jewish history in attempt to apply a better understanding to Shanghai during the Holocaust fill bookcas- the study of identity and its relation to space In this ancient love poem, I found a fount es, this section provides both overviews and and time, especially the ways identity, ge- of metaphors that helped to illuminate insights. There is something new to discover ography and memory may intersect and my work as the interlocutor of Chaya Le- in nearly every chapter. change. ” His research and fascinating con- ah’s story. Initially, I had not expected a clusions, drawn from recollections, written narrative of Jewish survival to have such In the opening sentence of Desperate Hopes, a fruitful dialogue with a series of songs Shattered Dreams: The 1937 Manila Voyage memories diaries and publications, center on Harbin as well as Shanghai. focused upon the passionate relation- of the “Gneisenau” and the Fate of European ship between a man and a woman—a Jewry, Jonathan Goldstein sets the tone for The book closes with Ephemeral Memo- relationship that, according to rabbinical what follows: “This chapter is as much about ries, Eternal Traumas and Evolving Classi- commentaries, also mirrors the devotion the hopes, expectations, and disappoint- fications: Shanghai Jewish Refugees and between the Jewish people and the di- ments of Jews fleeing Hitler as it is about his- Debates about Defining a Holocaust Survi- vine. Over time, however, I have found torical events.” vor, by Gabrielle Abram. Here, she makes that the verses of this poem were unique- Manli Ho’s essay logically continues this the salient point that “The Shanghai-Jewish ly well suited for every step in my writing theme with Diplomatic Rescue: Shanghai as Refugees are some of the last Holocaust about the Walkin family. (xxix). a Means of Escape and Refuge. Now, there victims to have their suffering formally ac- knowledged and their identities declared Although she wants to tell Chaya Leah’s is a ray of hope in all the darkness as she story, Schwarcz is conscious that the re- tells her father’s story and quotes his com- to be those of Holocaust survivors both by peers and in their own self-reflections. sulting book is hers; she points out that this passionate message: “On seeing the Jews so is not an act of ventriloquism on her part. doomed, it is only natural to feel deep com- She concludes that “if a ‘Shanghai survivor’ classification were to be established on a Schwarcz provides the frame, the historical passion and from a humanitarian standpoint, context, and ultimately the analysis. As she to be impelled to help them.” national and international level, it could lead to a new kind of Holocaust survivor, explains, “Anchored by the words of Shir The next essay, by Lotte Marcus, has an in- survivors without a tattoo, and a new kind Ha’Shirim, I tried to tread delicately into triguing title: 305/13 Kungping Road. This of Holocaust education.” Chaya Leah Walkin’s world. All along, I was the address of her family’s single room in had to remind myself that this is a history Hongkou where they lived from 1943-1947, While the entire book is worthwhile, I more complex than I can possibly fathom in a building with one toilet and bathroom for found the last section – on looking back – today. How can I come close and stay re- 10 people. This memoir of their life in Shang- the most interesting. For me, it broke new spectfully distant at the same time?” (xxxii). hai is filled with the details of daily life and ground, going beyond history to draw some In effect, the book lies somewhere between concludes with the family’s gratitude to Dr. remarkably interesting conclusions. what Schwarcz calls the “host perspective” Feng Shan Ho who issued their visas. About the Editor: and the “guest perspective.” Schwarcz uses Survival in Shanghai 1939-1947 by Evelyn Steve Hochstadt taught history at Illinois her training to locate, hear, and preserve the Pike Rubin is another poignant, detailed College 2006-2016, after teaching at Bates history and then convey the narrative and story of family life and hardship filled simi- College in Maine for 27 years. His grand- meaning to others. Her approach—like that lar memories: no cold running water and parents escaped from Vienna to Shanghai in of Judith Miller in One by One: Facing the no heat, living with three other families in a 1939, and his research focuses on the Holo- Holocaust—is an important one, given that four-room, one-toilet house. As Pike notes: caust. His book Exodus to Shanghai: Stories the historians’ guild tends to privilege ab- they were “indeed fortune to have survived of Escape from the Third Reich, based on straction, statistics, and generalization over in Shanghai.” interviews with former refugees, is being narrative, intimacy, and agency. There is so much to learn, and Steve Hoch- translated into Chinese. For Schwarcz, the effort to locate and con- stadt has been studying survivors for many Points within Unity: The Agency and vey the agency of voice is of utmost im- years. He explains What I learned from Dignity of Chaya Leah Walkin portance with respect to the history of the Shanghai Refugees in his essay of that title In the Crook of the Rock—Jewish Ref- Shanghai Jewish refugees. The history has — gleaning information from personal sto- uge in a World Gone Mad: The Chaya been gaining increasing attention and has ries, memoirs, diaries, letters, documents, Leah Walkin Story by Vera Schwarcz. taken on symbolic meaning within pres- and conversations. While he cites that his Academic Studies Press, 2018. ent-day relations between China and Isra- biggest lesson was not to generalize, he re- SBN: 9781618117854 (hb) / 9781618117861 (pb) el. Schwarz is highly critical of the way in veals his own generalization that it is hard to Pages: 340 pp.; 18 illus. From US$34 which the history is commemorated at the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, which become a refugee. His entire essay attests Reviewed by Kevin Ostoyich to this! opened in 2007, as well as, in the popular Writing about individuals is not always easy art exhibition titled “Love Without Bound- Up to this point, the volume deals with West- for academics. Vera Schwarcz acknowl- aries,” which conveyed a narrative of vic- ern perceptions. Now there is a change of edges this in her book, In the Crook of the timized Jews being saved by the Chinese. pace as Xu Xin examines Chinese Responses Rock—Jewish Refuge in a World Gone Mad: Schwarcz cautions against the official histo- to the Holocaust: Chinese Attitudes toward The Chaya Leah Walkin Story, and explains ry which she deems (after a passage in Frie- Jewish refugees in the late 1930’s and early that her own journey in writing the book drich Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra) 1940’s. First, he sets up a historical back- involved reevaluating her role as a schol- to be part of the “Hullabaloo of History.” ground where China knew very little of the ar—particularly with respect to objectivity. (285). She believes that the overly symbolic Jews (and this included knowing little of the Knowing that she could never fully enter the representation of faceless Jews in this offi- Holocaust). As they became aware, there subjective realm of Chaya Leah Walkin’s ex- cial history drowns the voices of agency of Points East 13 Shanghai Jewish refugees. Rather than add- Liaoyang Road and assisted other refugees. Chaya Leah attended Central Yeshiva High ing to this cacophony, Schwarcz decides to Shmuel David continued to devote his life to School. Shmuel David would only let Cha- listen to the voice of the dove and paint the Torah scholarship and even worked to have ya Leah attend college if she first went to history of individuals who were united by a his father’s most famous work reprinted in the Bais Yaakov advanced seminary. Her deeper meaning in a manner that is inten- Shanghai. As Chaya Leah looks back upon plans for earning a college degree were tionally modeled after the technique of the her time in Shanghai, it was the dedication sidetracked until much, much later in life pointillist artist, Georges Seurat. to such Torah learning that nourished their (eventually earning a B.A. from Mundelein What then are the individual brushstrokes? lives: College). Instead she got married to Mi- chael Small on February 23, 1953. First, What is the unified whole? They are, re- Our grandfather’s sefer was published in spectively, the narrative of an individual they lived in Lakewood, New Jersey but Shanghai to be used by the bochrim of the then moved to Chicago in 1955. Michael refugee and the larger tradition of Torah-ob- yeshiva. We did not have enough mon- servant Judaism, of which Chaya Leah and and Chaya Leah had five children in six ey for much, but we spent our money on years. They set out to build a Torah-obser- her family are a part. bare necessities to nourish our body and Chaya Leah Walkin was born in 1934 in vant community. Michael became the rabbi to nourish our souls. The seforim were of Congregation Poalie Zedeck in Chicago. Pohost, Poland near Pinsk. She was the el- our souls. The Torah our guide to living, dest child of Rav Shmuel David Walkin and Together Michael and Chaya Leah worked a blueprint for life. We shared our food to to establish a thriving Torah-observant Jew- Tzivia Walkin (née Socharow). Prior to hav- nourish the body. We shared our seforim ing to flee Poland, Shmuel David Walkin ish community in the city. Schwarcz ex- to nourish the soul. Simple. We made life plains that decades after having arrived in served as a rabbi in Pohost, Troki, and Lu- simple and meaningful. That was the key katch and the family grew with the birth Chicago, Chaya Leah looks back on great to our survival. Achdus. A community. A success: of Chaya Leah’s sister Esther and brother group of friends with the same goals. One Moshe Yoel. The family was deeply root- helping another. One loving the other un- She knows fully well that she is part of ed in a tradition of Torah observance and conditionally. (128). the root system that accounts for this en- during vigor. She also understands that scholarship. Shmuel David Walkin was the Life in Shanghai during the war was difficult, son of the rabbi of Pinsk, Aharon Walkin. her own hard labors in the vineyard of but Schwarcz emphasizes that despite the righteousness were a source of nechama, Rabbi Aharon Walkin was a highly skilled hardships, the family maintained a life of Talmud scholar who was known as the Bais of comfort for an entire generation after dignity. After the war, Tzivia gave birth to a the Holocaust. Chaya Leah’s toils were Aharon on account of a book he had writ- boy, whom they named Chaim after Shmuel ten with this title. Tzivia Walkin’s father, a way of thanking the Master of the Uni- David’s brother who had been killed in the verse for all the good that came her way Avrohom Socharow was the rabbi of Trabe. Shoah. The family first attempted to leave for Moreover, both Shmuel David and Tzivia not only in China but in Chicago’s seem- Palestine; however, Shmuel David Walkin ingly barren land as well. (262). had interacted with and were influenced came down with dysentery. After he recov- by the greatest of the scholars, Rabbi Yisra- ered, they left Shanghai on July 5, 1946, and In 2011, Michael Small passed away. In el Meir Kagan Ha Kohen, better known as traveled on the USS General Meigs to the 2007 and 2014, Chaya Leah traveled back the Chofetz Chaim after his famous book United States. Schwarcz writes that “The to Shanghai. Schwarcz notes that when by that name. Walkin family had survived not only as refu- Chaya Leah and members of her family After the outbreak of the Second World gees but also as believers.” (206). went in 2014, the visit received a great deal War, Germany and the Soviet Union Schwarcz continues the narrative beyond of press in China and the emphasis in the carved up Poland. Jews in Poland looked Shanghai. She writes, coverage was of Jews thanking China for to the city of Vilna in Lithuania as a possi- their survival in Shanghai. Closer to home, As in the verses of Shir Ha’Shirim, hope Chaya Leah has worked to spread aware- ble place of refuge. Resisting the common had been born anew out of the ashes of ness about the Holocaust. tendency to portray refugees as powerless war. The “apple tree” had sprouted new victims, Schwarcz focuses on the inner branches and more rugged roots in China. After decades of lying under the radar, the Faith in Jewish destiny was strengthened history of the Shanghai Jews has gained strength of the family as they fled Poland. It considerable attention in recent years. was the family’s roots in their Jewish tradi- as these carriers of the Torah tradition started out toward America’s new shores. There are many memoirs and the num- tion, which Schwarcz refers to as a “fortress ber of scholarly works continues to grow. of silver” that provided the inner strength to There, they would build upon the founda- tion cast by previous generations. There, Most accounts, however, have been about maintain dignity and selfhood in “a world the experiences of German and Austrian gone mad.” According to Schwarcz this they would honor the memory of their murdered kin along with the promise of Jews who fled to Shanghai. Chaya Leah’s was true for Tzivia and Shmuel David at experience is that of the smaller group of renewal gained during the hardships of Polish Jews who journeyed through Vilna, the beginning of the journey all the way Shanghai. (207). through to Chaya Leah’s work “to rebuild received Sugihara visas, took the Trans-Si- The Walkin family arrived in San Francisco berian Railroad through the Soviet Union, Jewish life with new walls and new doors and eventually made it to New York. There on foreign shores.” (23). landed in Tsuruga, Japan, sojourned in they received assistance from Jewish relief Kobe, Japan, and then eventually where Shmuel David Walkin made it to Lithuania organizations and rejoined the community shipped to Shanghai by the Japanese. first, and then Tzivia eventually was able to of Torah scholars. Schwarz explains that One of the many highlights of the book is make it across the border with her children Rabbi Walkin “started a small synagogue in how Schwarcz couples her scholarship to on their third attempt. In Vilna, the family Brooklyn, it was the Shanghai refugees who flesh out the details of Chaya Small’s rec- acquired one of the now-famous Sugihara were his first congregants and his most de- ollections of the journey to Shanghai. Par- visas, with which they traveled through the voted friends.” (217). Tzivia Walkin gave ticularly informative are Schwarcz’s treat- Soviet Union on the Trans-Siberian Railroad birth to a daughter, Rachel. Tzivia became ments of the Japanese context to Chaya and eventually made their way by boat to ill due to a spinal injection she had received Leah’s childhood memories. Chaya Leah’s Tsuruga, Japan. In Tsuruga, they, like other during the labor. Consequently, as the eldest family obtained a Sugihara visa. Schwarcz Jewish refugees, were helped by Setsuko child, Chaya Leah had to take on more du- provides details of Sugihara’s actions. As Kotsuji. The family then sojourned in Kobe, ties in the house and look after her siblings. the narrative continues in Tsuruga and (Incidentally, the two Walkin sons eventually Japan before having to move to Shanghai. Kobe, Schwarcz provides information on became rabbis, and the three Walkin daugh- the lesser known—but also extremely In Shanghai, the family lived in a house on ters married rabbis.) helpful—Setsuko Kotsuji. Kotsuji, a Jap- 14 Points East anese Hebraist who established Tokyo against eating insects took on more dramatic, of both Vera Schwarcz and Chaya Leah. The University’s department of Jewish studies, more vivid proportions in Shanghai. Oth- guest and the host tell of how refugees could borrowed money from his brother-in-law er refugees whose hunger was more acute maintain their dignity within a long, unified and smoothed things with officials to help could dispense with checking every grain of tradition of Torah-observant Judaism. We prolong the period Jews could stay in Kobe. rice. They, too, however, shared the under- who listen to their voices hear a truly unique (Kotsuji eventually converted to Judaism and standing that one had to boil every vegetable and beautiful story that captures individual took on the name Avraham ben Avraham.) for the sake of survival” does not leave an points within a larger unity. Ultimately, given the framing of Chaya Leah’s incredibly positive impression of the “other Kevin Ostoyich is Professor of History at story within the long Jewish history stretching refugees.” (105). (One need only listen to Valparaiso University and a member of SJI’s back centuries and drawing structure from Betty Grebenschikoff reminisce while in her Managing Board. the Shir Ha’Shirim, the work tends to tran- own Shanghai apartment in the documenta- scend that of traditional history and reaches ry Shanghai Ghetto [Man and Mann, 2002] Epitaph Of No Words to realize that German refugees were no less into the realm of religious poetry. It is in By Jeanine Hack this intimate space that Schwarcz finds the concerned about insects and consuming meeting between the host perspective and them.) It should be said here, though, that Print: Full color single-sided cover, 286 pag- Schwarcz does incorporate the experiences es (182b/w, 104pp full color). A5 Size. RSP the guest perspective. Within the text of Shir Price: R280 ZAR (about US$20). http://epit- Ha’Shirim Schwarcz can understand how of individual German refugees into the nar- Chaya Leah, herself, understands the history rative and seems to want to break down the aphofnowords.com. of her family’s journey. Schwarcz writes, barriers that have tended to divide the Polish To order, contact: jeanine@epitaphof- nowords.com The words of Shir Ha’Shirim help us enter and German refugees. this bewildering time with an extra mea- The second problem is that by embedding the Emil and Martha Galliner delayed leaving sure of empathy. In a world of diminishing story in the deep Jewish tradition, the pres- Nazi Germany until more than three years af- options, the shepherdess is told to follow sure seems to be on Schwarz to find religious ter Kristallnacht. When they eventually made in the footsteps of the flock. In effect, she meaning in every detail of the narrative. Cha- the heart-rending decision to go, it meant must find security where the winds of fate ya Leah’s own writings are rather unadorned leaving their oldest daughter Hanna behind. take her. Instead of direct reassurance and and speak simple truths. However, the Shir Emil and Martha’s around-the world- journey guidance, her beloved sends the tender Ha’Shirim frame that Schwarcz employs lasted from 1938 – 1960. They would never kids toward the tents of other shepherds. seems to compel her to provide religious return to Germany, even when they heard of On this very precarious path, she is to find commentary at every turn; thus, the book Hanna’s untimely death only thirty-five days her strength, refine her goals. And she quite takes on a dual narrative structure—with after their departure. does, much like Chaya Leah Walkin who Chaya Leah writings presented first followed The book details Emil and Martha Galliner’s felt that a benevolent, even if unseen, hand then by Schwarcz’s commentary. At times, struggles as they fled Nazi Germany travel- was guiding the family during the darkest Chaya Leah’s words would have been suf- ling on the Trans-Siberian Railway through hours of the war in Shanghai. (80-82). ficient and the search for religious meaning the USSR, sailing to Shanghai, where they By listening to Chaya Leah and the words of seems strained. An example of this is when lived under Japanese occupation, the United the Shir Ha’Shirim, Schwarcz comes to un- Chaya Leah writes of her younger brother States of America, before moving to Wind- derstand that for Chaya Leah the providential having a tapeworm. The family found out hoek, South West Africa (Namibia) and final- and the human agent are unified: that bananas could help and Shmuel David ly to Johannesburg, South Africa. Walkin was able to procure a banana for his Instead of simply asserting that it was Divine Their story established through affidavits, son. After providing Chaya Leah’s text regard- postcards, poetry and photographs records Providence that accomplished the Mirrer [Ye- ing the banana story, Schwarcz writes, shiva] ‘miracle,’ [Chaya Leah] tries to fathom their trauma in the most direct voice. Their more deeply the source and consequences Like the biblical Jews who traveled in the letters and postcards show a constant unset- of human action. Like the Sugihara visas, this desert who made do with manna day in tledness, reflected in their ongoing pursuit of salvation too depended on doing something and day out, this Jewish child was trained reparations. We feel their dislocation through that was not the norm. In Chaya Leah’s view, early on to accept with gratitude what was, their trail of documents, endeavoring to re- it is through human actions that providence as it was. In their wanderings through claim their dignity, pride and independence. is revealed most concretely and most inter- the desert, some Jews had complained In trying to achieve this, they circumnavigat- estingly. (126). about the manna because it was always ed the globe as displaced persons for nine- the same—day in and day out. For Chaya Although the Shir Ha’Shirim framework and teen years. Leah and her family, knowing fully well the To represent Emil and Martha as truthful- the poetic intimacy allows for Chaya Leah’s predicament of scarcity among Jewish ref- voice to be heard clearly, I see two problems. ly as possible, the author, their maternal ugees in Shanghai, the one-pot meal was great-granddaughter, used their own histori- First, the framework of the narrative tends to ample enough. (106). instrumentalize the actions of non-Jews and cal accounts of 1951 and 1953 in which they generalize the experiences of German and The two shortcomings listed above are is- outline their lives. Their story, established Austrian Jewish refugees who appear on the sues of emphasis and are considerably out- through affidavits, postcards, poetry and pho- margins. The German and Austrian Jews weighed by the magnitude of Schwarcz’s tographs, records their trauma in the most di- are often referred to as if they were all sec- achievement: She has listened to the voice rect voice. ular or non-observant, living in Heime, and “In the Crook of the Rock” and has helped “fighting” for food. For example, Schwarcz to convey Chaya Leah’s message. Schwarcz writes, “The Walkin family was privileged to does something quite rare in a scholarly The Kadoorie Farm & Botanic have milk and butter brought to them. Ger- work: She actively embraces historical inti- man refugees living in their more crowded macy. In stepping out from the safety of ac- Garden heims had to go out and fight for these pre- ademic objectivity to hear, understand, and By Hongyu Wang cious goods.” (105.) It is important that the convey Chaya Leah’s story she makes herself vulnerable in a world that has gone mad. But Reprinted from www.mabuhay.catholic.org. attempt to emphasize the agency and dignity hk /node/1779 one group not work to undermine or dimin- it is precisely this vulnerability which allows ish the agency and dignity of other groups. A Schwarz to communicate the story, which is In the mountainous New Territories of passage such as “For the Walkins and their as honest as it is intimate. Hong Kong, amidst sub-tropical forests and rabbinical colleagues, the Torah prohibition In the “Crook of the Rock” we hear the voices narrow pathways, there is a clear terrain that Points East 15 looks for all the world like hillside farmland. to 14 refugee farmers, who would settle ricultural Aid Association, a laboratory for In fact it used to be. The land was rented there, farm the land and make ends meet cropping and breeding at different elevations from the government for one dollar a month themselves. and a farm management training centre. until almost the end of the British era. It is The project went ahead with the free pro- But almost as soon as the Kadoories had in- now a botanic garden. vision of pigs, as well as concrete to build stitutionalised the microfinance operations, The concepts of microfinance and social the sties and an interest-free micro-loan to farming began to decline in Hong Kong, business were popularised by Bangladeshi market their pork in the urban areas. amidst rapid industrialisation and urbanisa- tion. banker to the poor, Muhammad Yunus, who This was the beginning of the Kadoorie Ag- became a household name worldwide, tak- ricultural Aid Association, which remained By the early 1970s, crop cultivation and ing centre stage as an expert on the best active in Hong Kong until 1970. It provided poultry rearing had all but disappeared from way to raise those living at the long-forgot- a wide range of assistance to people, from the colony. As a result, the association’s ac- ten bottom of the poverty pyramid up, so public works and construction, to animal tive aid programme had basically stopped by they could stand strong on their own two 1970, but 321,000 farmers in 1,218 villages feet and become people who could help and crop husbandry. had been served. themselves. All was achieved with interest-free mi- The Kadoorie brothers then turned their eyes Yunus often spoke about why simple hand- cro-loans to put the essential infrastructure toward Nepal. out charity wouldn’t sustain people in the for marketing produce from both land and sea in place. Historically, Nepali Gurkhas were recruited long run and what the poor truly needed as soldiers by the British armed forces and was a vehicle, or kick start, on the self-sus- In the eyes of the brothers, the principle of in the post-war era, some of them were sta- taining path toward subsistence and a better micro-loan repayment was special training tioned in Hong Kong. When they eventually livelihood. in the personal discipline people need to retired from the army, many of them were Microcredit aims to offer such a hand-up realistically take responsibility for their own sent back home to Nepal to farm. lives beyond the hand-out stage. partnership and the social business concept But from 1968 until 1986, over 5,000 of aims to sustain the endeavour for the long In 1955, the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid As- them received professional training in farm- run. sociation and the government jointly set up ing at the Kadoorie Farm before they left But before Yunus ventured into his first ex- a revolving micro-loan fund, named the Ka- Hong Kong. periment in 1974 in the newly independent, doorie Agricultural Aid Loan Fund, to man- It was an ideal location, because the moun- famine-stricken Bangladesh, by handing the age the fast growing micro-loan business. tainous terrain and slopes of the area closely equivalent of US$27 ($209.25) to 42 villag- The governor-appointed legislature passed resemble the environment the Gurkhas were ers out of his own pocket, microcredit had returning to in Nepal. already become an established operation in an ordinance incorporating the fund in the Hong Kong. same year. The fund was to include the con- In addition, the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid tributions coming from both the Kadoorie Association directly assisted British-run ag- It had already been championed by two brothers and the government, and a gov- ricultural centres at two locations in Nepal brothers whose name the botanic garden ernor-appointed committee to manage the by providing seeds, livestock and fertiliser, bears to this day—Lawrence (1899 to 1993) fund was set up as well. all transported by the Royal Air Force from and Horace (1902 to 1995) Kadoorie. Hong Kong to Nepal. The sons of the Baghdad-born Jewish entre- The first chairperson was the then-director preneur, Elly Kadoorie (1865 to 1944), took of the Agricultural, Fisheries and Forestry On top of the help given to the ex-soldier serious note of the huge influx of refugees Department, William J. Blackie, a New Zea- Gurkhas, the Kadoories paid close attention fleeing into Hong Kong from mainland Chi- land-born British imperial serviceman, who to local community needs in Nepal, mainly na in the late 1940s and early 1950s, at the later authored the book, Kadoorie Agricul- in the area of the provision of clean, running same time as they themselves were pack- tural Aid Association 1951 to 1971. water. ing up their belongings in Shanghai to seek From 1955 to 1970, a total of $23,445,994.64 The two brothers, who shared the same safety in the then-British colony. was loaned to 51,990 people with a mere bank accounts all through life, decided to set But unlike the Kadoories, many of the refu- $59,935.93 in bad debts that had to be writ- up a Kadoorie Charitable Foundation with gees had been subsistence farmers from the ten off. Out of the overall total, $14,443,552 their family fortune. southern provinces, the majority of them went to livestock feed. However, although they lived to be more arriving with nothing and heading to the in- In 1953 Blackie’s department established than 90, they left this world before their digenous villages in the New Territories or dream was fulfilled, dying before it was final- outlying islands. a small station on the slopes of what today is the botanic garden, to observe seasonal ly established in 1997. The Kadoories believed that giving the lives In 1995, new legislation transformed the Ka- of the refugee farmers some stability de- effects on crops at higher elevation and re- manded a multi-pronged approach, as their search the possibilities of extending planting doorie Farm into a botanic garden, which needs varied considerably. land into such an environment. still exists today, but with the new mission of preserving rare species. Supplying subsistence needs could be done The Kadoorie brothers approached Blackie through charity, but the next step, sustain- to assist with this work in order to train the It is a place where visitors, scientists and ability, was a more difficult challenge. farmers in crop experimentation on the sta- advocates for environmental protection can tion land, which was eventually rented to the study the rarities and great variety of nature. The subsistence life achieved through chari- Kadoories at one Hong Kong dollar a month Hongyu Wang is a Hong Kong-based trad- ty had to be built upon and developed, and in 1956. the two brothers saw the way forward as er and exhibition specialist, and author of being microfinance. This saw the opening of the Kadoorie Ex- Grameen in Kosovo. Statistics provided by the Hong Kong Heritage Project and Ka- In 1951, the Kadoorie brothers approached perimental and Extension Farm, or as it was the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries more popularly known, the Kadoorie Farm. doorie Farm and Botanic Garden. and Forestry to make a rocky, barren hill- Since then, the farm has been a distribution [For more information about the KFBG, go to side at Cheung Sheung, Sai Kung, available centre for assistance from the Kadoorie Ag- https://www.kfbg.org/eng/kaaa-stories.aspx] 1612 PointsPointsPoints EastEast East Ancient Flood in KaifengChineseChinese Killed NationalNational InstituteInstitute for for Jewish Jewish Studies Studies Established Establishedpenetrated the low-lying city taking the 12 Painless DonatingPoints East number of inhabitants from 378,000, to 300,000 event.event. 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TheChina-Israel Sino-Judaic government scholarships. Institute and give teaching techniques, formulate Benefactor ...... $1,000+ The grand ceremony was held at Nanjing teaching syllabi and course outlines, as Thet IncreaseSino-Judaic the proportionInstituteJoin is of aMail Jewish-non-denominational,The to: The Sino-JudaicSino-Judaic Institute, non-profit, Prof. andSteve non- HochstadtInstitute Patron ...... 500 University. Ms. Zhu Li, an official from Chi- Join The Sino-Judaic Institute Benefactor ...... $1,000+ well as provide teaching references for politicalIsrael studies organization1252 students West thatCollegewhich can wasAvenue,receive founded Jacksonville, in 1985 IL 62650,by an orinternat sign upional online atCorporate www.sino-judaic.org Patron ...... 500 na Ministry of Education, came to mark the other potential institutes of Jewish studies. TheChina-Israel Sino-Judaic government Institute scholarships. is a non-denominational,Benefactor ...... non-profit, and$1,000+ non- PatronCorporate ...... Sponsor ...... 250 to.500 499 The Sino-Judaic Institute is a non-denominational,politicalgroup of organization scholars non-profit, and which laypersons JOINand wasnon- foundedTHE. Patron SINO-JUDAIC in ...... 1985 by an internat INSTITUTEional.500 CorporateCorporate Patron Member ...... 250 to.500 499 political organization which was founded in 1985 by an international Corporate Patron ...... 500 CorporateSponsor ...... Sponsor ...... 250 to 499.100 Join The Sino-Judaic Institutegroup of scholars and laypersons. Corporate Sponsor ...... 250 to 499 CorporateRegular Member Member ...... 250 to 499.50 group of scholars and laypersons. TheBenefactorRegularMembership Sino-Judaic Member ...... in the Institute Institute $60 isSupporter$1,000+ ais non-denominational,open and Corporate we cordially Member$100 Patroninvite non-profit, ...... you 250 to joinandto 499 **$1,000+ non-politicalSponsorLibrariesBenefactor ...... organization, ***$5,000+ .100.50 The Sino-Judaic Institute is a non-denominational, non-profit, and non- Patron ...... 500 **Receive Chaim Simon’s RegularAcademic***Donors Member ...... at the...... $5,000 level and .50.30 Seniorin supporting our endeavor. 35 Sponsor Our annual Sponsor dues ...... structure 250 is as follows:.100 foundedMembership on June in the 27, Institute 1985, is in open Palo and Alto, we California,cordially invite by you an internationalto join groupabove ofalso scholars get their choice and of lay a copy political organization which was founded in 1985 by an international Corporate Patron ...... 500 Regular Member ...... Religious Obersevance.50 by LibrariesSenior Citizens ...... 50.25 Membership in the Institute is open andpersons,CorporateLibrary we cordially Sponsorto promote invite ...... youfriendship60 250 toCorp/Org/Synagogue jointo 499 andLibraries understanding ...... 250 the between Jews of Kaifeng the ChinaChinese.50 AcademicStudents andof a book ...... Jewish ...... by Hochstadt, peoples Laytner,Paper and to.30.25 in supporting our endeavor. Our annual dues structure is as follows: group of scholars and laypersons. Corporate Member ...... 250 to 499 Academic ...... 30 Schwarcz, Tokayer or Weisz. in supporting our endeavor. Our annualStudent/AcademicI wish dues to becomestructure a memberis as 40 follows: ofSustainer the Sino-Judaic Institute500 and to receive Points EastSenior three Citizenstimes a year...... Enclosed is my.25 encourageSponsor ...... and develop their. 100cooperationSenior Citizens in matters ...... of mutual historical.25 and cultural interest. Its StudentsSelection: ...... 25 objectivesRegularcheck for Member $______are: ...... 50 Students ...... PLEASE PRINT .25 Membership in the Institute is open and we cordially invite you to join LibrariesI wish to ...... become a member of the Sino-Judaic.50 Institute and to receive Points East three times a year. Enclosed is my I wish to become a member of the Sino-JudaicName Institute ______and to receive Points East three times a year. Enclosed is my ______in supporting our endeavor. Our annual dues structure is as follows: 1)Academiccheck The for study ...... $______of the ancient Jewish.30 community ofPLEASE Kaifeng PRINT and assisting its descendents as appropriate. check for $______SeniorAddress Citizens ______E-Mail PLEASE...... PRINT .25 ______StudentsName ______...... 25 ______Name ______2)Home The Phone study # of ______Work Jewish life in Shanghai,______Harbin, # ______Fax Tianjin and elsewhere in the 19th# ______and 20th centuries. Address ______E-Mail ______I wish to become a member of the Sino-JudaicAddress Institute ______E-Mail and to receive Points East 3)three The times support a year .of Enclosed JewishMail to: isstudies Themy Sino-Judaic______programs Institute, in China.Prof. Steve Hochstadt, Dept. of History, Illinois College, check for $______PLEASE PRINT Home Phone # ______Work1101 West # College ______Fax Ave, Jacksonville IL 62650 # ______Home Phone # ______Work # ______Fax Mail to: The Sino-Judaic Institute, # ______Prof. Steve Hochstadt, Dept. of History, Illinois College, 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, diasporas, etc. 1101 West College Ave, Jacksonville IL 62650 Address ______E-Mail ______1101 West College 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.

Membership in the Institute is open and we cordially invite you to join in supporting our endeavor. Our annual dues structure is as follows:

Benefactor ...... $1,000 Patron ...... 500 Corporate Patron ...... 500 Corporate Sponsor ...... 250 to 499 Corporate Member ...... 250 to 499 Sponsor ...... 100 Regular Member ...... 50 Libraries ...... 50 Academic ...... 30 Senior Citizens...... 25 Students ...... 25

I wish to become a member of the Sino-Judaic Institute and receive Points East three times a year. Enclosed is my check for $ . PLEASE PRINT

Name:

Address: Home Phone: Work Phone:

Fax: E-Mail:

Mail to: The Sino-Judaic Institute, Prof. Steve Hochstadt, Dept. of History, Illinois College, 1101 West College Ave, Jacksonville IL 62650