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Nanjing University

Jewish Diaspora in Modern China

Jewish Diaspora in China is a unique experience for world Jewry, as China is the only country in Far East that has had Jews living in its society for over 1,000 years. Documentary evidence shows that Jews started to live in China no later than the Tang Dynasty (618–907). The famous Kaifeng Jewish community, which was established in Kaifeng, the Chinese capital of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), is but a best-known example. However, the largest Jewish Diaspora in China appeared in modern times. In over 100 years, from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century, about 40,000 Jews came to China and lived in newly-established major port cities such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Harbin. Jewish communities composed of these Jews became an essential part of the economic and social life of those modern Chinese cities. What brought such a large number of Jews to China? Where did these people come from? How did they arrive? Were they all in China at the same time, and were there any differences among them? What happened to them after they arrived? Where are they now? The story of Jews in modern China is certainly a fascinating and up-lifting one. This course will examine these questions and more.

Status: Cultural Diversity
Status: Demography
Course10 hours

Featured reviews

JT

5.0Reviewed Oct 17, 2015

Very interesting subject! Although I would also like to learn about this subject in relation to

RS

5.0Reviewed Oct 29, 2015

The subject matter of this course was new for me and was very interesting. I appreciate Professor Xin Xu and Nanjing University for providing this learning opportunity. Thank you

HG

5.0Reviewed Jun 28, 2016

Learned much. Instructor was well organized. Subtitles were extremely beneficial.

JT

5.0Reviewed Aug 29, 2015

THE COURSE IS EXTREMELY INTERESTING AND VERY CLEARLY PRESENTED. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE PROFESSOR IS PASSIONATE ABOUT THE SUBJECT.I AM LEARNING A LOT AND GRATEFUL FOR THE INFORMATIONJUDI TURNER

RD

5.0Reviewed Oct 17, 2015

Excellent class with good use of photographs and video. The professor was clear and interesting. Content was fascinating.

MA

5.0Reviewed Sep 4, 2015

A really lovely course; good pacing, fantastic presentation. Lovingly crafted.

LL

5.0Reviewed Jun 19, 2016

The professor and the archival materials such as photographs are very engaging. The historical periods studied are fascinating, and well-suited to a short course.

ET

5.0Reviewed Feb 1, 2016

Very informative, taught with great pictures and at a good pace.

MP

5.0Reviewed Nov 14, 2016

This was a great course. I was a History major in college, but the information that I learned in this course was a complete surprise to me.

JS

4.0Reviewed Mar 10, 2016

Excellent information I was previously unaware of. Found subtitles useful as the instructor has an accent. Enjoyed photographs and music in class. Very interesting subject.

LW

5.0Reviewed Aug 21, 2015

Very interesting subject. I have learned a lot of interesting history of the Jewish people.

KP

4.0Reviewed Aug 8, 2016

i came to more about china this is useful for me to do international business thank you !

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 37

Pamela Franks
5.0
Reviewed Aug 30, 2015
Lisa Wetzelberger
5.0
Reviewed Mar 23, 2017
Randy Philip Orso
5.0
Reviewed May 27, 2017
Alice Zerr
5.0
Reviewed Nov 19, 2015
Judi Turner
5.0
Reviewed Aug 30, 2015
Rebecca Singh
5.0
Reviewed Oct 30, 2015
L.G.
5.0
Reviewed Jun 19, 2016
Marsha Pollack
5.0
Reviewed Nov 15, 2016
Randall Denker
5.0
Reviewed Oct 17, 2015
Jorge Enrique Moncada Angel
5.0
Reviewed Oct 17, 2015
Jesslyn Tan
5.0
Reviewed Oct 17, 2015
Linda Webb
5.0
Reviewed Aug 21, 2015
Harriett Gamer
5.0
Reviewed Jun 28, 2016
Matthew James Adams
5.0
Reviewed Sep 4, 2015
Emily Tangerine
5.0
Reviewed Feb 1, 2016
Laura Di Gianfrancesco
5.0
Reviewed Aug 28, 2015
Jose Rosales
5.0
Reviewed Nov 19, 2015
tahnna
5.0
Reviewed Dec 1, 2015
李瑞
5.0
Reviewed Feb 12, 2016
Nazerul Khairy Ben-Dzulkefli
5.0
Reviewed Nov 14, 2015