Our unique 13-day journey will lead you along China’s buzzing avenues, alleyways and rivers . . . and into its iconic temples and palaces. We’ll delve into ancient cultures, experience the dynamism that is modern China, be awed by its traditional and cutting-edge architecture and meet tai chi masters, artists, chefs, university students and the Jews rebuilding a once-thriving community. Join old and new friends to discover today’s China and Sino-Jewish history, sample a sumptuous variety of the country’s food, relax in its most elegant hotels — and meet with Shanghai officials to thank them and their city for saving 20,000 Jews from the Holocaust.
Chinese Jewish history began as yet another tale of Jewish merchants and adventurers, scholars, craftsmen, refugees and entrepreneurs spreading to every corner of the earth. By the 12th century, traders from Persia and India had found their way to China over the Silk Road and across the sea, establishing tiny communities along back streets like Torah Learning Lane, building a town entered through Jews’ Gate and praying in a pagoda-style synagogue.
Chinese Jewish history began as yet another tale of Jewish merchants and adventurers, scholars, craftsmen, refugees and entrepreneurs spreading to every corner of the earth. By the 12th century, traders from Persia and India had found their way to China over the Silk Road and across the sea, establishing tiny communities along back streets like Torah Learning Lane, building a town entered through Jews’ Gate and praying in a pagoda-style synagogue.
Over the centuries, they survived floods, wars and Genghis Khan’s prohibition against circumcision and kashrut. However, they gradually intermarried and, without the energy of newcomers, largely died out as communities.
But Jewish life in China resurfaced again as new waves of immigrants flowed in: Sephardic Jews from India built major trading houses in Shanghai. Russian Jews sought safety when their lives were upended by pogroms, wars and revolution and forged a vibrant community in Harbin. And Central European Jews found refuge from the Nazis when country after country closed their doors — and Shanghai opened its. Today, a new generation of Jews from America, Australia, Israel and the far corners of the planet are rebuilding Jewish China in Beijing and Shanghai, continuing our ancient traditions. You are invited to join us on an adventure through this unique part of Chinese — and Jewish — history.
But Jewish life in China resurfaced again as new waves of immigrants flowed in: Sephardic Jews from India built major trading houses in Shanghai. Russian Jews sought safety when their lives were upended by pogroms, wars and revolution and forged a vibrant community in Harbin. And Central European Jews found refuge from the Nazis when country after country closed their doors — and Shanghai opened its. Today, a new generation of Jews from America, Australia, Israel and the far corners of the planet are rebuilding Jewish China in Beijing and Shanghai, continuing our ancient traditions. You are invited to join us on an adventure through this unique part of Chinese — and Jewish — history.
