Shanghai Jewish Culture

An Understated History of Global Proportions

Shanghai proudly thrives as a city rich in historical and architectural relevance, embracing and preserving the relics of its past that serve as a foundation for the city's constantly evolving future. Truly unique among Mainland China's cities, Shanghai boasts a history that is sustained by diversity, incorporating various cultures, flavors, fashions, and trends from all over the world. Perhaps one of the most unique yet understated stories woven within Shanghai's vibrant history is its substantial involvement in World War II as a sanctuary for Jewish refugees.

Strategically situated along one of China's most active waterways, Shanghai has historically served as the country's dominant port of entry for foreigners, welcoming entrepreneurs and businessmen from all over the world to partake in the economic discourse that has made the city the powerhouse it is today.
The early 1900's bore witness to the first influx of Jewish immigrants; traveling to Shanghai determined to establish an economic stronghold within the city. Indisputably successful, the community of Sephardic Jews emigrating almost entirely from Iraq were credited with building a number of the city's most prevalent architectural landmarks. Such structures including the iconic Peace Hotel and Sassoon Building were built by Shanghai's most successful Jewish family at the time, the Sassoon's, and continue to thrive as architectural landmarks within the city.

Influenced under drastically different circumstances, Shanghai's second wave of Jewish immigrants flooded through the gates of Shanghai's port in search of something other than economic success. At a time when the Jewish community turned to the world for refuge, Shanghai openly welcomed more than 20,000 Jews in search of sanctuary during World War II. At the height of the war, Shanghai was the only city in the world that did not require a visa when entering the country. While the majority of Jewish refugees that made their way to Shanghai were of Austrian and German decent, Shanghai also provided refuge to a significant number of Polish Jews.

In an effort to establish familiarity and the comforts of the life they once knew within their new lives in China, the Jewish community sought refuge in one another. Residing solely within a few-block radius in Shanghai's Hongkou District, the community lived in close quarters, taking pleasure in the freedoms of life that had been taken away from them in the homes they once knew. The Jewish community in Shanghai tried to recreate the cultural and social aspects familiar to their former lives in the ghetto and synagogues that would come to provide safety, comfort, and enjoyment during the duration of the war.

By the time the war concluded in 1945, more than 24,000 Jews had found sanctuary in Shanghai. Following the end of the war and the emergence of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949, Shanghai's Jewish community drastically diminished, with many of its residents relocating to the United States, Israel, Australia, and Hong Kong. While the area known as the Hongkou Ghetto within Shanghai's Hongkou District where the Jewish community resided no longer houses a significantly large Jewish population, it has managed to preserve much of its historic character.

The most notable remnant from this moment in history within Hongkou is undoubtedly the Ohel Moshe Synagogue. Throughout the duration of the war, seven synagogues provided a place of refuge and worship for the Jewish population residing in Shanghai. The Ohel Moshe Synagogue served as a place of gathering as home to the Jewish Youth Organization. First established in 1907 the synagogue was relocated to its current site in 1927 where it served as a center for religious activities as well as social interaction.

Though today the synagogue no longer functions for religious services, the building was fully restored to its original condition. Onsite, two separate exhibition halls have also been erected to house a museum illustrating this chapter in Shanghai's history. The walls are lined with images telling first hand accounts of life in Shanghai during the war. Many residents of the ghetto have returned to share fond memories of their time in China, and have expressed heartfelt gratitude to the city that openly welcomed them.