Sydney Jewish Museum
October 2001 - August 2002
“There was not one drop of antisemitism among the Chinese people.“
  Paul Engel, Viennese Jew, lived in Shanghai 1938-47

"I regret never getting to know China as well as I should."
 Efim Krouk, born 1914 in China, of Russian Jewish parents.
Migrated to Australia 1975, via Hong Kong.
Economy & living conditions
Cartoon books
Children
Postcards panel
Russians & Sephardis during the war
Shanghai volunteer corps
End of the war & exit

Jews are not commonly associated with East Asia, yet by the Middle Ages flourishing Jewish communities had emerged in China. Jewish traders had settled there, notably in Kaifeng. By the 19th century these communities had all but disappeared. 

In modern times, Jews again settled in China, establishing themselves mainly in Harbin, Tientsin and Shanghai. The largest and most varied community existed in the port city of Shanghai, following three main waves of Jewish migration: 
 

  • Oriental Jewish traders, predominantly from Iraq and India
  • Russian Jews escaping pogroms and revolution or seeking new opportunities
  • Jewish refugees from Nazi-dominated Europe
Some came to improve their lives, some came for sanctuary, but they all left again after World War II.

This exhibition tells their stories of courage and serendipity, threat and opportunity. 

Online documentary
Sydney Jewish Museum
Powerhouse Museum
Maritime Museum
Webmistrisses: 
Jenny Murphy & Jackie Treadaway