Lost Jews of China
In the Middle Ages, Jewish traders following the ancient Silk Road spice route settled in China, forming a community in the city of Kaifeng. Kaifeng was then one of the “Seven Ancient Capitals of China” and one of the world’s largest metropolises, with a population of close to one million. China’s ruling Song Emperors welcomed the Jews as welcome guests, bestowing seven family names that these Kaifeng Jews could use – some of which are still carried by their descendents in the town today.
Kaifeng’s Jewish community thrived at first, building its first synagogue in 1163, and eventually swelling to several thousand members. Smaller Jewish communities sprung up in other towns in China. Unlike many Jewish communities elsewhere, it seems that China’s Jews faced little or no persecution. Ironically, the lack of discrimination they faced in China seems to have hastened their end.
A model of the Kaifeng synagogue at Beit Hatfutsot, The Museum of the Jewish People, Tel Aviv
Within a few hundred years, the Jews of Kaifeng began to drift away from their religion. They intermarried with their Han Chinese neighbors and gradually lost their Jewish knowledge and traditions. When Kaifeng faced a devastating flood in 1642, its small Jewish community was able to recover and rebuild their synagogue. When Kaifeng was again heavily damaged by floods in 1841 – which wiped away the town’s sole remaining synagogue, among other buildings – the Jewish community never rebuilt.
Today, Kaifeng still boasts a street called Nan-Xuejing Hutong, meaning South Studying-the-Scriptures Lane, where its Jewish community used to live. Few other clues remain of the once-bustling community of Jews that called China home.
http://www.jewishjournal.com/cover_story/article/the_jews_of_kaifeng_china_20120815/
Jews and Chinese Food
When Elena Kagan, the Jewish law school professor who is now a US Supreme Court Justice, was questioned during her confirmation hearings, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) asked her what she did on Christmas. Rather than be flustered by this unusual question, Kagan quickly quipped, “Like all Jews, I was probably at a Chinese restaurant.”
Data backs up Justice Kagan’s claim. Google records a noticeable jump in searches for Chinese Restaurants each December, and on-line delivery sites report receiving a “significant jump in sales” of Chinese meals on December 25.
The link between Jews and Chinese food lasts year-round too. In 1959, a New York kosher restaurant, Bernstein’s on Essex Street, caused a sensation by becoming the first kosher restaurant to offer Chinese food when they put Chinese egg rolls on their menu. Over the years, kosher Chinese restaurants have opened in cities across the world. (Chicago offers a typical example: of roughly two dozen kosher eateries in the city, three have Asian menus, and many others include Chinese or pan-Asian selections as well.)
China is gaining an increasingly prominent role in kosher food production, too. It is now the world’s fast-growing producer of kosher food, with over 500 factories manufacturing kosher items. Star-K, a kosher certifier, reports that “China is fast becoming the frontrunner in all aspects of kosher food production” as more and more foods (including those that are kosher) are produced there.
What’s in a Name?
Chien His-chieh, the Executive Director of the Peacetime Foundation of Taiwan, has called for a radical change in the way some Chinese words are written. Specifically, she points out, the Chinese word for Jew, you tai, can be written with a variety of symbols – yet troublingly, the one used most often is demeaning, denoting dog or monkey. So far, Ms. Chien’s request has gone nowhere. It’s thought that the derogatory spelling originated at a time when Jews were considered extremely exotic or foreign to China.
The Hebrew term for Chinese is less controversial: Sini. It likely originated with the Chinese Ch’in, the fourth dynasty of China, and is related to the Greek and Latin words for China (Sinai and Sinae, respectively).
Jewish Ghetto of Shanghai
While a small Jewish community lived in Shanghai since the 1800s, Jews began to flock to that coastal city in the 1920s and 1930s, fleeing first from the upheaval of the Russian revolution, and then growing anti-Semitism in Europe. When the great powers, meeting at the Évian Conference in 1938, decided to block almost all Jewish immigration to their shores, only two places remained completely open to fleeing Jews: the Dominical Republic; and Shanghai (which at that time was governed separately from the rest of China).
In the late 1930s, over 20,000 Jews called Shanghai home; by the time World War II broke out, Shanghai was home to more Jewish refugees than any other city in the world.
After Japan’s invasion of Shanghai in 1941, Germany pressured Japan to murder the Jews in its control, even sending SS Colonel Joseph Meisinger (reputedly carrying a canister of Zyklon B gas with him) to Shanghai to advise various “extermination” plans. Japan resisted calls to murder the city’s Jews, but they did implement drastic new restrictions: Shanghai’s Jews were no longer able to receive aid money from abroad, and were crammed into the “Shanghai Ghetto,” more formally called the Restricted Sector for Stateless Refugees in the Hongkou District, where Jews were forbidden to leave.
Even in these restrictive conditions, Jewish life in Shanghai flourished. Most notable was the Mir Yeshiva, a famous center of Jewish learning that relocated from Lithuania to Shanghai during World War II, and continued to offer classes. (Following the end of the War, the Mir Yeshiva moved to Jerusalem, where it remains one of the world’s premier centers of Jewish learning today.) Following the War almost all of Shanghai’s Jews left China for new lives abroad.
College Connections
Each year, hundreds of Chinese graduate and post-doctoral students flock to Israel’s universities to participate in the world-class research at Israel’s universities. In 2013, Tel Aviv University and Beijing’s Tsinghua University set up a joint high-tech joint research center, tapping into Israel’s and Chinese know-how to bring new innovation to medical technology and to finding solutions to pressing environmental problems.
Interest in Judaism is rife in China. There are no fewer than ten academic centers of Jewish studies in Chinese Universities across the country, and students often spend a semester abroad, learning more about Jewish history and culture in Israel or the United States.
Perhaps the biggest boost to knowledge about Israel’s academic life in China came from a recent game show Who’s Still Standing, a Chinese quiz show based on a popular Israeli program. When Hebrew University graduate student Lechao Tang appeared on the Chinese show in 2014, he did so well the show became the second-most watched program in all of China. Tang regaled Chinese audiences with descriptions of life in Israel, while the show’s hosts chimed in with a story of their own. On a visit to Israel they once placed a note asking for help in conceiving a child in the Western Wall – when they returned home, they told their audience, they had a baby boy.
High-Tech Collaboration
As China has emerged as a manufacturing dynamo in recent decades – and Israel has evolved to become one of the world’s foremost centers of high-tech innovation – links between the two countries have deepened. From virtually no high tech funding from China in the early 2000s, the period of 2011-2013 saw Chinese firms invest $32 billion in Israel.
Asia’s richest man, Hong Kong-based tycoon Li Ka-shing, seems to have a penchant for Israeli Research and Development; to date, he has invested in at least 28 high-tech companies in Israel. Of the startups funded by his company, Horizon, over one third is Israeli. Examples of Horizon’s funding include the Israeli firm Corephotonics, which designs dual-lens systems for cell-phone cameras, and the Israeli bio-tech firm Kaiima, which designs products to increase agricultural sustainability.
China now ranks second (after the United States) in collaboration with Israeli high-tech firms that are backed by Israel’s Office of the Chief Scientist. Economy Minister Naftali Bennett has described Israel as “going East” in terms of trade and R&D.
Trade between the Israel and China has skyrocketed: increasing over 20000% in the past two decades, to more than $10.8 billion today. After the United States and the European Union, China is now Israel’s third-largest trading partner.
(19) Sunny, May 20, 2015 3:28 PM
Jews in Quanzhou Fujian China
My home town Quanzhou is a very interesting ancient historical city. It was a biggest international trading port during Song dynasty. Somehow we still reserve our history very well. There are some obvious evidences that Jews still live there. Like my classmate's old house., there is carved stone above front door says" from Canaan " in Chinese. Some people in town go to cemetery to wordship their ancester but they can not read the lauguages on tomb stone. People with color eyes in the area were genocided after 20 years religion war between 2 Muslim groups . Unforturately Jews were affected. That was happened during 13 century.
(18) Gerald Schroeder, May 20, 2015 10:19 AM
In 1981 I was hired as sciebntiufic adviser to PRC government
China has looked to Israel for scientific knowldge for decades. When in 1981 I as invited to be adviser in the ministry of development in China, they told me to keep a low profile because I was an Israeli and China in those days and for a decade thereafter did not have relations with Israel. My Chinese conact informed me that I was the first foreign adviser following the demise of the "cultural" revolution. I found that their personal family culture si very similar to our culture.
(17) Anonymous, May 18, 2015 3:06 AM
This was fascinating. Very much enjoyed it.
It provided information that was new
(16) jonatan, May 17, 2015 9:06 AM
mazel tov
its better known as anonymous kindness friend where stood for us when its need it,
compare as famous foe's that histories written as fact. for so long on ward generation had to bear the shame.....
(15) aiqing, May 16, 2015 6:04 AM
a few facts, the song ruler lost his government in year 1126. He is Han.
Jewish build its synagogue in 1163 when Jin ruler had replaced song. Jin ruler is not han.
It is china but with different rulers.
They are seen as advance guard or maybe they have helped the anti-government at that time
(14) Anonymous, May 15, 2015 2:35 PM
The deeper connections
I suppose we must be resigned to an article on Jewish-Chinese connections spending time on the Jewish appreciation of Chinese food, an appreciation shared by most other people. This article lacks a discussion of the deeper relations between our peoples.
The most important connection regards the analogy between Confucianism and Judaism. While much Confucian writing is steeped in the language of the Dao (the Way), much of it is also recognizable to Jews as a prescription of responsibilities and restrained behavior: honoring parents, elders, and teachers, prizing education, hard work, and accomplishment. I have often wondered if Confucius was in fact a graduate of a yeshiva in his generation.
There is another analogy between Chinese and Jews, regarding their respective diaspora. Both peoples are scattered as minorities around the world, and are notable for their tremendous success in their host societies. Chinese are resented just as much as Jews for their accomplishments - for example, in Malaysia and Indonesia - and have been subject to persecution.
I speak as the proud husband of a Chinese ger tzedek. Chinese are fascinated by Jewish accomplishment - and are sometimes jealous. But we Jews should always honor our friends in China and India who sheltered us at times when the Western civilization with which we identify turned against us. China, India, and Israel are the only ancient, literate civilizations with more or less continuous religious and linguistic identities. We have been mutually respectful of each others' identities without seeking to convert the others.
(13) Reb Yaakov, May 14, 2015 9:38 PM
Animal Pejoratives
To people like Jews who manifest a respect for all life, being compared to a monkey or to a dog is neither demeaning nor derogatory. Use of animal pejoratives is a hallmark of those who lack respect for life.
(12) Jake, May 14, 2015 9:25 PM
Story about the building the Mir used
Does anyone have any solid info regarding the story about the building the Mir used in Shanghai? Reportedly it was built by a Yid and then not used until they came.
(11) Anonymous, May 14, 2015 8:39 PM
The Jews of China
First time I heard about "Chinese Jews" I was totally baffled-might as well have told me there were Jews on the moon...! Makes sense, though, as the phrase "scattered to the four corners of the earth" means just that-no country excluded! Wonderful article!
P.S. Personally know the young man mentioned in article under the "Jewish Journal" website-small world!
(10) Ruth, May 14, 2015 7:54 PM
Pearl Buck
Years ago I read a fascinating book: PEONY by Pearl Buck. It is a story of Kaifeng Jews. It is also a great example of how assimilation happens. I recommend it.
(9) Dr. Alfonz Lengyel, May 14, 2015 7:45 PM
Good article but..
Please add to your research the Rise and Fall of the Jews in Harbin. These Jews from a fishing village made a Metropolitan, then left wen Mao got into power. During Cultural Revolution both synagogues were destroyed, then in 2004 when no Jews lived in Harbin were rebuilt.
(8) Linc Reed-Nickerson, May 14, 2015 6:53 PM
Chinese Jews
There was a joke that made the rounds about asking a waiter in a Chinese restaurant if there were Chinese Jews, the response being, "No Chinese Jews, have orange juice, tomato juice, etc. I think I first heard that back in the 1970s, but that peaked my curiosity.
In the 1990's I was in Beijing on business with local companies, so rather than stay in western hotels I stayed at the Beijing Friendship Hotel. They had a very extensive library with a book on the religions of China. That is where I first learned of the Jews of Kaifeng, as well as the World War II era synagogues in Shanghai. Over time I had the opportunity visit the buildings that were the synagogues in Shanghai and later travel to Kaifeng, where, through an interpreter I was able to speak with a person who claimed to be a direct descendant of a Jewish family. The British Library has a Torah scroll from the Kaifeng Synagogue.
(7) Tiberiu Weisz, May 14, 2015 5:58 PM
Confusion about Chinese Jews
The following article clarifies much of the confusion about the Chinese Jews. Unfortunately we still rely misinformation and error laden translation of the stone inscription. Jews held very high position in Chinese government and were highly respected. There was even a Prime Minister in Song Dynasty of Jewish descent. Jews also fought in the defense of Kaifeng within the famous Chinese general Yue Fei.
http://www.sephardichorizons.org/Volume4/Issue3/weiszeast.html
"Youtairen" is a name and is not a derogatory term. To be more precise, "monkey" in Chinese literature is a highly respected being as is portrayed in " "Journey to the West" (xiyouji- in Chinese ) also known in the "Monkey" from Arthur Walley translation.
The book "the Kaifeng Stone Inscriptions" (Amazon) is a new translation of the inscriptions and annotates the Chinese text in both Chinese and Jewish context. It dispels many of the errors that have been with us for almost past century.
(6) David, May 14, 2015 4:02 PM
Much more to the story
There is much more to the history of Jews and China. There is evidence to believe that the Jewish presence dates back perhaps @ 1,200 years. An Israeli told me a few years ago, that while in China (shortly before we met), he was approached by a Chinese professor of linguistics, who told him that there are there are words in Chinese that sound like Hebrew and have the same meaning.
Some of the Chinese families with the distinct "Jewish" names are aware of their Jewish descent.
Regarding the War time experience, books several books have been written with regard to that very fascinating chapter of Jewish history. Here is one of many miraculous stories, e.g. After the war, a gentleman approached Rabbi Beryl Wein in Monsey, NY. He told him that he was in charge of the air war against the Japanese in China and that his wife was Jewish. He forbid his pilots to drop bombs on the Jewish quarter in Shanghai on penalty of not flying for him again.
One of the most amazing stories is how the huge synagogue came to be built from a dream. For 12 years after it was completed, It sat empty until the Mirrer Yeshiva arrived. It had precisely the number of seats!
(5) Judith Herzog, May 14, 2015 3:09 PM
Encountering Chinese Jews before WWII
My mother lived in the Orient before WWII and travelled extensively in China. She told me many times that she met a group of people in china that she was sure must be Jewish, even though they lived differently from the way her family (Russian Jews) lived. She said that they were Chinese, not European... and that Western Jews told her she was crazy, that there were no such Jews!!! She was knowledgeable enough that she recognized "her own." It now seems wonderful that our fellow Jews in China are acknowledged! Also, when I lived in Korea, I came across some convincing evidence- and then still-living witnesses- that some of the Chinese Jews may have migrated to Korea.
Mike, May 17, 2015 7:07 AM
interesting
could it have had something to do with the Cultrure Re volution?
Many intellectuals were persecuted
(4) Reuven Frank, May 14, 2015 12:51 PM
Is that also them?
About once a year, here in Jerusalem, there is a big influx of Oriental non-Jewish tourists, who come, and
dance with the Israelis, and wave the Israeli flag, and generally cheer the Jews on.
Are they Chinese, too?
I think they have some kind of tradition that the return of the Jews to Eretz Yisrael marks the beginning of a Messianic age.
I think they're right, which is one of the reasons I live here.
I just wish they were right a little faster, sometimes.
(3) Kenneth H. Ryesky, May 12, 2015 7:18 AM
What's in a name
"Chien His-chieh, the Executive Director of the Peacetime Foundation of Taiwan, has called for a radical change in the way some Chinese words are written. Specifically, she points out, the Chinese word for Jew, you tai, can be written with a variety of symbols – yet troublingly, the one used most often is demeaning, denoting dog or monkey. So far, Ms. Chien’s request has gone nowhere. It’s thought that the derogatory spelling originated at a time when Jews were considered extremely exotic or foreign to China."
And what does "chien" mean in French?
Mike, May 12, 2015 3:12 PM
lol
is it a projection? :-)
(2) Mike, May 11, 2015 1:35 PM
The Chinese word for Jew - You Tai Ren
Actually, the word means "very wine people". Funny, given that there are Jews who are called Weinman, and similar names. And Jews do drink wine on festive occasions like Kiddush or on Pessach.
even if the 'dog' - element* was used, this does not have to do with dogs. Even if it was used - and this was argued against, and this is not the simple reading of the word - if you look at a Chinese dictionary, you will see that the dog-shoresh does not have anything to do with dogs, just like there are many such elements which have nothing to do with the meaning of the word.
* I wrote 'element' but the term that is used is 'radical'
Radicals are very common in Chinese words
Perhaps the reason why the Jews are called 'You Tai Ren' is that 'You' sounds similar to 'Yehuda'
I do not have a special interest for saying this, but I think that the facts have to be heard.
The director of this Taiwanese socalled Peacetime Foundation - interesting that those NGOs who speak about peace in our days are mostly communist -
said that Jews would have been disliked.
The interesting thing is that no such record exists!
There however is a different record, one of gradual intermarriage of Jews with Chinese and a gradual decline in Jewish knowledge and a gradual adoption of Confucianism by the Jews/their descendants.The question is, historically, if the Jews are persecuted by the outside culture, they do not assimilate. (and conversely a decline in Jewish knowledge/observance combined with an accepting culture led to assimilation and intermarriage, as we see today)
Therefore, this does not speak for persecution.
Furthermore, the Chinese are not Europeans, they have a different culture, and are not poisoned by christian anitsemitism or its remnants.
They have a very different mentality.
Concerning the name Sini- the interesting thing is, one of the descendents of Noah is called Sini, in Gen.10,15-17
Jake, May 14, 2015 9:20 PM
Anti-semitism in China vs Japan
Thanks for the interesting post. FYI the Protocols of the Elders of Zion has been stocked in bookstores throughout Japan for decades.
(1) Anonymous, May 11, 2015 12:25 AM
chinese symbols
There are over 5000 symbols but sometimes the choice of symbols are just made based on their phonetic sounds, rather than the meaning the symbol represent. The Kaifeng Jews or Jews in general would have been treated with respect in Asia because anyone who continues their ancestors ways are.
I believe they were able to apply for Government jobs , if they passed the exams , in those days mostly the exam was to do with concepts of Confucianism.
Having said that I hope modern day china will consider changing the letters (the first letter in particular)as there is certainly plenty to choose from.
In Japan , any foreign word is written with a different set of letters/alphabet set aside for them and the chinese symbols are not used. "Yu-da-ya" is the word, originating presumably from "Judea". So a Jewish person is "Yudaya-jin" - "a person of Judea".