"Jewish Refugees in Shanghai and the 60th anniversary of the end of the anti-Fascist war."
Shanghai snapshots -
A city full of energy and light.
A solemn
celebration and seminar in Shanghai
held on Nov. 10 -14, 2005
The dignitaries stood shoulder to shoulder in the still warm sun on a stage set up in the courtyard of the Ohel Rachel synagogue. It was a festive occasion, this morning on November 10 in Shanghai. The stage with a blue backdrop declared "Jewish Refugees in Shanghai and Exhibition of Noah's Ark on Fire and Sword" It was the opening ceremony to commemorate the 60th anniversity of the end of World War II.
Professor Pan Guang, the eminent dean of the center of Jewish Studies introduced the keynote speaker, the hon. Michael W. Blumenthal and the other guests, the representatives from the Shanghai Municipal Government, German, American and Israeli consulate personnel, Chinese educators, a Rabbi and others. Later we visit an exhibition of refugee artifacts.
We
were invited to take part in these commemorations. Michael W. Blumenthal,
Sonja Muehlberger from Berlin, Manli Ho, the daughter of the Chinese
Ambassador to Vienna, Dr. Ho Fen Shan. Who gave out visas to hundreds of
fleeing Austrian Jews. The other participants were Dr. Bernard Wasserstein,
Dr. Karl Bettelheim of Melbourne, Ruth Shany a well-known Israeli artist,
Sara Imas, and René Willdorff, your webmaster.
Thus began the four day celebration, an introduction, a book launching and the seminar, and sightseeing tours. We had a sumptuous reception lunch, on golden service, at the Hengshan-Moller Villa, which was hosted by the Shanghai Municipality. Speeches and toasts concluded the meal.
After a short rest,
we set out for the Ohel
Moshe Synagogue on Changyang Road (Ward Road) in the Hongkou District
for the book launch. The second edition of "The Jews in China”. Which is
a picture album with text. The book spans the history of Jews in ancient
China to the present day. The 2005 edition was compiled and edited by
Prof. Pan Guang and is published by the Center of Jewish Studies
Shanghai (CJSS). It will become available in other parts of the world.
High
officials from the Hongkou district greeted us warmly and invited us to
meet with a few former Chinese neighbors of ours of the ghetto. We sat
around a table with these friendly folks and discussed our lives, mutual
admiration and major concerns during the Japanese occupation long ago.
The second day heralded the seminar on the “Jewish Refugees in Shanghai”. The Deputy Director of the Information Office of Shanghai opened the session. The Keynote speaker was W. Michael Blumenthal, whose topic “Refuge Shanghai, looking back and looking forward” a well reasoned narration of our stay.
The seminar
sessions the rest of that day
covered the subjects:
1) Why did Shanghai become a haven for Jewish Refugees from Europe.
2) The Jewish Community in Shanghai. and 3) The relationship between Jewish Refugees and Chinese in Adversity.
Opinions and observations were exchanged, and our speeches were well received.
Many Chinese scholars, students and members of the Shanghai Municipal government attended the seminars which were held in a major meeting room at the Equatorial Hotel.
For the remaining two days we were treated to outstanding restaurants, we visited the stunning sights and sounds of this amazing city and were taken care of with the utmost courtesy and kindness.
Speeches by seminar participants:
Manli Ho:
A Report ( in
German ).
Sonja Muehlberger:
Our Group
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The second edition of the book 'Jews in China'
Professor Pan Guang, Dean of the Center for Jewish Studies Shanghai (CJSS) and book editor.
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