Jewish Communities China: Kaifeng, Harbin, Shanghai
VIEW EVENT DETAILSJudaism is one of the world's oldest religions and once had thriving communities worldwide. While the communities and histories of European and Russian Jews are well reported, less is known about the communities that existed throughout Asia. China was home to three such thriving Jewish communities: Kaifeng (10th century), Harbin (late 19th-early 20th century), and Shanghai (early 20th century).
Kaifeng, located in China's Henan province, has been home to a Jewish community since the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). Today, more than 600 Kaifeng residents still consider themselves to be Jewish, and others have emigrated to Israel.
The Jewish community of Harbin dates back to the late 19th century when, at Russia's urging, minorities moved to Harbin and Tianjin to help build population centers and construct railroads. By 1908 Harbin's Jewish population had increased to over 8,000. While persecution and religious restrictions increased throughout Europe during the Russian Revolution and World War II, Jews continuously escaped to Harbin, increasing the population to more than 20,000.
Shanghai became the home to more than 20,000 Jews during the 1930s and 1940s. Known as an international settlement, it was one of the few cities accepting people without visas. Therefore, Jews from Baghdad, Europe, and Russia all fled to Shanghai to escape persecution.
Xu Xin is a Professor in the Department of Religious Studies and Dean of the Institute of Jewish Studies at Nanjing University, China, and is President of the China Judaic Studies Association. He has studied Jewish related topics in China for more than 20 years, and has written several book and articles in English and Chinese on Jewish subjects. Since 1995, Xu has given over 300 lectures worldwide and is currently a Fellow at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Kaifeng, located in China's Henan province, has been home to a Jewish community since the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). Today, more than 600 Kaifeng residents still consider themselves to be Jewish, and others have emigrated to Israel.
The Jewish community of Harbin dates back to the late 19th century when, at Russia's urging, minorities moved to Harbin and Tianjin to help build population centers and construct railroads. By 1908 Harbin's Jewish population had increased to over 8,000. While persecution and religious restrictions increased throughout Europe during the Russian Revolution and World War II, Jews continuously escaped to Harbin, increasing the population to more than 20,000.
Shanghai became the home to more than 20,000 Jews during the 1930s and 1940s. Known as an international settlement, it was one of the few cities accepting people without visas. Therefore, Jews from Baghdad, Europe, and Russia all fled to Shanghai to escape persecution.
Xu Xin is a Professor in the Department of Religious Studies and Dean of the Institute of Jewish Studies at Nanjing University, China, and is President of the China Judaic Studies Association. He has studied Jewish related topics in China for more than 20 years, and has written several book and articles in English and Chinese on Jewish subjects. Since 1995, Xu has given over 300 lectures worldwide and is currently a Fellow at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Event Details
Thu 10 Mar 2011
1526 New Hampshire Ave Washington DC
$10 members, $15 nonmembers