In Search of a Jewish Story in China

In Search of a Jewish Story in China
Free Virtual Presentation Hosted by
New City Library, New York

Date and Time: May 6th, 7:00 PM EST

Join an art and travel writer Irene Shaland as she takes us on a fascinating expedition, both familiar and unknown, through the 2,000 years of history in China. We will journey along the Silk Road and Gobi Desert, and visit six cities: Harbin, Beijing, Dunhuang, Kaifeng, Luoyang, and Shanghai. ย 

As a Jewish historian, Irene Shaland remains ever attuned to what she calls the Jewish story, an often โ€œendless chain of persecutions, from century to century, from country to country.โ€ However, in China, she uncovered an entirely different chapter in Jewish history, which is divided into two unique narratives: the Jews in China and the Jews of China.

You are invited to discover these fascinating stories and find answers to many perplexing questions:

What are the secrets of the Gobi Desert and the Silk Road?

What do the most anti-Semitic of Russian Tsars, a railroad, a Chinese fishing village, and Russian-Yiddish culture have in common?

How did it happen that a port city in China occupied by the Japanese became a safe haven for thousands of European Jews during World War II?

What important lessons can we learn today from the history of the Chinese Jews?

Finally, why did the Jews of China disappear? And โ€“ did they really?

To register follow the link to the New City Library website: https://newcity.librarycalendar.com/event/search-jewish-story-china-43823

Read about Jews in China in Irene Shaland’s book “The Dao of Being Jewish and Other Stories: Tales of Jewish Diaspora, Persecution, the Holocaust and Rebirth in Europe, Africa and Asia.” https://amzn.to/2T1u5kK

Irene Shaland’s Upcoming October 2021 Lectures

images of lecture add

 

In October, Irene Shaland will be presenting two lectures for you to choose from or โ€“ to attend both!

1st Lecture Date: October 14th

Time: 4:30 EST.

Title:ย โ€œGlobal Response to the Holocaust: From Europe to Asiaโ€”Norway, Sweden, China, India.โ€ย This lecture is virtual.

Sponsoring institution: Holocaust Resource Center of New Jersey.ย Kean University. Union Town.

Targeted audiences are the Holocaust studies teachers. However, the event is free and open to the public; anyone can register and attend.

To register, follow the link below to fill a simple Registration Form:

Link to Registration Form

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2nd Lecture Date:ย October 21stย ย 

Time: 6:30 PM CST

In person with a virtual option.

Title: “In Search of a Jewish Story in China.“ This lecture is in-person and virtual. Presented in connection with the Illinois Holocaust Museum’s current exhibit: Shanghai as a Safe Haven during the Holocaust.

Sponsoring institutionย is Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, Chicago.

https://www.ilholocaustmuseum.org/events/in-search-of-a-jewish-story-in-china/

To register, click below and select โ€œVirtual option.โ€

https://18161.blackbaudhosting.com/18161/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=8d226f05-f43c-4e9f-a903-57da06c242e8

 

Free Virtual Lecture: Travels in Jewish History – Asia

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Adath Shalom Synagogue Presents
Irene Shalandโ€™s Free Virtual Lecture:

Travels in Jewish History

Date: Thursday, May 6th, 2021   Time: 7:30 PM EST

Join this event on Zoom: 

https://zoom.us/j/3393948412?pwd=QjJiVW0yUUtuV01mS0NvUzlyOU9SUT09

Meeting ID: 339 394 8412

Passcode: Israel

For more information follow this link to the announcement on the Adath Shalom website: https://www.adathshalom.net/event/travels-in-jewish-history-india-china-myanmar-cambodia-and-more.html


ย ย ย ย  Travel with Irene Shaland to the continent of Asia in search of little-known Jewish histories. In China, learn the two-fold narrative: the Jews IN China and the Jews OF China while discovering the 2,000-year history of Jewish life there. What are the Jewish secrets of the Gobi Desert and the Silk Road? What do the most anti-Semitic of Russian Tsars and a Russian-Yiddish cultural enclave in the north of China have in common?

ย ย ย ย  In India, discover the most refined beauty and the deepest spirituality of this country while learning the little-known history of the oldest continuously living Jewish community in the world, its myths of origin, and the sense of identity. Hear fascinating stories about the synagogue near the tomb of a Persian emperor, Jewish atheistโ€™s shrine in a mosque, Indiaโ€™s role in the Holocaust, and Muslim youths defending the synagogue of Mumbai.

ย ย ย ย  In Burma/Myanmar, you will be transported to the ancient land ofย rice fields and countless golden Buddhas and pagodas to discoverย the little-known narrative of the once-thriving Jewish community there, which was all but decimated during World War II. Understand whyย this small group of immigrants throughout their history in Asia became so successful commercially and powerful politically only to disappear to almost oblivion after the 1940s and 1960s.ย 

ย ย ย ย  In Cambodia, you will visit a small synagogue near the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh and discover what the Rabbiโ€™s usual day looks like in the country of Angkor Wat.

Irene Shaland is the author of a multitude of magazine articles published in the US, Canada, South Africa, Kenya, the UK, and Israel. She regularly presents at conferences, museums, universities, special-interest group events, and other venues.

Ireneโ€™s last book โ€œThe Dao of Being Jewish and Other Storiesโ€ is available on Amazon.

Join this event on Zoom:ย 

https://zoom.us/j/3393948412?pwd=QjJiVW0yUUtuV01mS0NvUzlyOU9SUT09

Meeting ID: 339 394 8412

Passcode: Israel

For more information follow this link to the announcement on the Adath Shalom website: https://www.adathshalom.net/event/travels-in-jewish-history-india-china-myanmar-cambodia-and-more.html