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SHANGHAI JEWISH REFUGEES MUSEUM AND SHANGHAI JEWISH GHETTO

September 15, 2020 By Howard Kramer Leave a Comment

Ohel Moshe Synagogue, Shanghai

Ohel Moshe Synagogue, Shanghai

The Jewish Diaspora, in which the ancient inhabitants of Israel slowly spread to the four corners of the Earth, is one of the great epic stories of world history. From the most humble beginning of a tiny enclave in ancient Canaan, the Jews spread across the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East; thence to Europe and Central Asia; and finally across the globe.  Of all the episodes of the Diaspora, few are as unlikely, or as fascinating, as that of the Jews of Shanghai.

 

Synagogue Bronze Entryway

Synagogue Bronze Entryway

There has been a Jewish presence in China since at least the 8th century AD (possibly earlier).  One of the Far East’s most enduring Jewish communities can still be found in the city of Kaifeng.  A few Jews began arriving in China’s port cities such as Hong Kong and Shanghai in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  That number grew significantly in the 1930s with the coming to power of Hitler in Germany.

 

Synagogue Ark

Synagogue Ark

After the electoral victory of the Nazis in 1933, Jews all over Central Europe began to look abroad for places of safety; and it was just at this same time the nations all over the world began slamming the door on Jewish refugees. There was one noteworthy and unusual exception: China.

 

 

 

 

Shanghai Jewish Chronicle

Shanghai Jewish Chronicle

By 1937 China and Japan had been at war for several years. Shanghai, though surrounded by territory occupied by Japan, received a special status under an International Settlement which essentially allowed the European-dominated city to be left alone (Japan was not then at war with any European powers).  Interestingly, this settlement allowed westerners, including Jews, to enter and settle in Shanghai without a visa.  Between 1937 and the outbreak of the war in Europe in 1939, somewhere around twenty five thousand Jews fled to Shanghai.

 

 

 

Shanghai Jewish Museum Photo Gallery

Shanghai Jewish Museum Photo Gallery

Even after war broke out between Japan and the Allies and Shanghai was occupied, the Jews were generally left alone, though living conditions became much harsher. Thanks to the Japanese forbearance, even in the face of Nazi pressure, most of the Shanghai Jews survived the war.  A few years later, with the Communist takeover of China and the founding of Israel, virtually all of the surviving Jews emigrated to Israel.  Thus ended the brief but inspirational story of the Shanghai Jews.

 

 

 

Shanghai Jewish Refugee Memorial

Shanghai Jewish Refugee Memorial

Beginning in the 1990s, with relations between Israel and China improving, the story of the Jews of Shanghai has become of increasing interest to Jews and other Westerners visiting Shanghai. Some of the old Jewish quarter survived the war and is now preserved in an historic district of sorts.  This includes the district’s two surviving synagogues: Ohel Rachel, and Ohel Moshe.

 

 

 

 

Ho Fang Shen Memorial

Ho Fang Shen Memorial

Today the Ohel Moshe Synagogue houses the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, and is the central place of interest for those visiting the Jewish ghetto. Opened in 2007, exactly one century after the first Jewish congregation was founded in the city, the museum has exhibits documenting the history of the Jews in Shanghai, including a modest collection of personal items and photographs from those who lived here.  A monument outside of the museum is inscribed with the names of nearly fourteen thousand Jewish refugees (a little over half of all who came through) who made Shanghai their home in the 1930s and 40s.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: China

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About Howard Kramer

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is a culmination of years of his work and passion.

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Welcome to The Complete Pilgrim(TM)! This site, created by Howard Kramer, is a combination travel blog and online guide to the world's greatest sites of religious interest (with some historic and recreational places thrown in for good measure). All written content has been originally researched and produced and is provided free for public research and enjoyment. Thank you for visiting!

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Have a comment, a great photo or a religious site you'd like to nominate for the weekly spotlight? We would love to hear from you. Email us at hkramer@thecompletepilgrim.com.

About the Author

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is the culmination of years of his work and passion.

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