Some Jews may be leaving France because of rising anti-Semitism, but they are being welcomed back to China, according to a front-pager in today’s LAT: A Home for Jews in China
Now, after years of not being welcomed, they are returning to a city that is eager to see them. Harbin recently announced a $3.2-million renovation of its main synagogue, and it is stepping up efforts to preserve other historically significant buildings and sprucing up the Jewish cemetery, Asia’s largest.
For the Chinese, it’s less a warm and fuzzy embrace of the old days than a fairly blatant bid to spur the struggling local economy. Last month, at an international conference on “Jewish History and Culture in Harbin” that was attended by nearly 100 former residents and their families, officials gushed about the “always smart” and “always good with money” Jews who might help return Harbin to its former glory.
Well, what’s a little prejudice with your moo goo gai pan?
Mr. Simon,
Via Harbin to Kyoto? I’ve run into a few people here convinced they and more importantly the royal family are descendants of the Lost Tribe. I take them at their word and we drink together until the early morning. The idea, begging the question of whether it contains a grain of truth or not, does make me feel a bit less gaijin.
Japan tried exactly this in the early 20th century — search for Fugu Plan.
It was mostly a scattering of hapless shtetl dwellers who took them up on their offer, to the disappointment of the Japanese who had been expecting the Elders of Zion and instead found that Jews weren’t any more glamorous than the peasants and merchants they already had.
Otter,
Thanks for the title. I’ll try and get a copy.
Mongai
We’ll always have Harbin.
Nope. Doesn’t sound right.
Maybe this is all about the Chinese restaurants in Harbin failing. After all, can a Chinese restaurant survive without Jewish customers?
Well, this solves the problem of the Democratic Underground post-ers who are agonizing about where to emigrate now that CBS’ apology has left one or more feeling “left here like the Jews who didn’t get out in Nazi Germany,” but are real uncomfortable about the geographic alternatives entailing cold climates, unfamiliar fauna, etc.
bc
Ick. I can think of lots of good cities in China, ie Shanghai, Hangzhou, and some parts of Beijing, but Harbin? Basically it is in Chinese Siberia, not far from the “real” Siberia, with the wonderful weather that goes with it. Also, it’s the Chinese Rustbelt, with coal-fired mills right out of Dickens. Most of these are closed nowadays, so there’s lots of beggars on the streets, but enough of the mills are running to give the sky a nasty brownish-gold color, with the sun the color of a dirty penny if you can see it at all.
Shanghai, on the other hand, can give Paris a run for its money, and has the excellent quality of not being the capital of the Axis of Weasel.
I haven’t been to Harbin, Foobarista, but I have been to Mukden, back in 1978, believe it or not. Both cities were at one point considered capitals of Manchuria. Your description of Harbin seems about right, if it’s anything like Mukden. And, no, I don’t think I’d want to live in either place.
Otter,
The Jewish community in Harbin dates to the late 19th century, long before the so-called Fugu Plan. The fact that there were established Jewish communities in Harbin and Shanghai facilitated those in Japan who were advocates of the ‘plan’.
I read Marvin Tokayer’s Fugu Plan years ago and since then I’ve read a number of books on the subject of the Jews saved by the Japanese. A great one is In Search Of Sugihara by Hillel Levin. Tokayer’s book is a slightly fictionalized account and the idea of “The Fugu Plan” is the book’s central conceipt, but I don’t think that it is as cut and dried as that. Though it’s true that there was a camp in the Japanese power structure that advocated currying favor with Western Jews and their capital, it seems to me that the location of Jewish refuges in China was more the result of of power struggles, intrigues and individual acts than a conscious plan.
Foobar is right about Harbin. They are “famous” for the ice festival (might as well do something with all that ice). I can’t figure out where they find clean ice to make all the sculptures, though. They make a great beer, called, amazingly, “Harbin”.
Wrong about Shanghai. Big, aggressive, got some high spots, but it ain’t ever gonna be Paris.
The Chinese, in general, are pretty prejudiced. Of course, once they’ve decided that “you all” are a GOOD minority, it can work in your favor (they still think I’m rich and powerful).
Dilys,
this solves the problem of the Democratic Underground post-ers who are agonizing about where to emigrate now that CBS’ apology has left one or more feeling “left here like the Jews who didn’t get out in Nazi Germany”
How about swapping the DU/Mikey Maroon types for Europe’s best and brightest scientists and tech entrepreneurs? EU brain drain for US idiot drain. Sounds like a winning trade to me.
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My Great Uncle was one who got out. He made it to 100.
Fritz Berger:
Born October 24, 1904, left us to join his beloved Jenny and Gustl on November 4, 2004. Born in Vienna, Fritz survived Dachau and took Jenny and their son Gustav to Shanghai, China, where his daughter, Ellen Esther and son, Gary Victor, were born. Coming to Southern California in 1951 with virtually nothing and speaking only a foreign language, Fritz and Jenny’s hard work, personal sacrifice, and devotion to the family helped them achieve the American dream of owning their own home. The example they set, and the nurturing environment they always provided, enabled their children to later succeed in their own right. Fritzl’s impish humor, iron will, and boundless love for his family, relatives and friends will be grievously missed. Our only consolation lies in knowing that he is among others who also loved and missed him.
The thing is it is likely the first and only time “The Protocols” saved Jews. I also remember – probably in error – a Howard Fast novel called “Deliverance From Shanghai” and now cannot seem to find it. – Alan aka Sparky
PS This book by Professor Abraham Teshima:
http://www.keikyo.com/books/hada/ is the link to those in Kyoto and the “Tokyo Bible Seminary” folks in Japan known as the Makuya in Israel. Kibbutz Hefzibah in Afula is where they go.
great info, thanks
I lived on Hefzti-bah in 83 for 5 1/2 months. I remember the minority of Japanese that emigrated to the Kibbutz, and the beautiful garden that they built between a pond and Mt. Gilboa – a very spiritual spot. They were victims in Japan for being Zionists.
What I am wondering is how the Kibbutz is doing, and how one can volunteer to help cover the jobs vacated by the reserve army members called up because of the attacks by Hezbollah. I would like to volunteer during Hannukah (Christmas Holidays for school).
I remember Penina, our Ulpan “mom.” The director of Ulpan was David.
Is there a program for this?