Jews of Shanghai

Jewish traders were among the first foreigners to come to work and live in Shanghai when the port was first opened to foreign trade in November 1843. Despite the important role a number of these Jewish residents played in Shanghai as well as in international commerce at that time and for a century to follow, scholars are just beginning to focus their attention on this community.

The Jews in Shanghai fell into three groups: the Sephardic Jews, the Ashkenazi Jews, and the German, Central and Eastern European Jews.

This exhibit explores the immigration and life of Jewish refugees in Shanghai China up to the present day. Sample framed exhibit panels are shown here.

The Jews of Shanghai: 1848 to Present Day

Nov.14, 2010 - Feb. 18, 2011: The Nathan D. Rosen Museum Gallery, Boca Raton, FL

China through the lens of Harold Silverman

In 1982, Israel and China established formal relations. The last Jewish lady who was married to a Chinese man, died in 1982, closing 138 years of history of Jewish community in Shanghai. It was during this time that Brooklyn born photographer Harold Silverman photographed China's majestic countryside while traveling for his clothing manufacturing business.

Presidential Delegation to Shanghai

First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright stand with Rabbi Arthur Schneier in the Ohel Rachel Synagogue as Rabbi Schneier presents a Torah donated by his Park East Synagogue in Manhattan. Shanghai, China. Photo credit: William J. Clinton Presidential Library

Doors open for Jews in the Middle East & Europe

After W.W. II, the doors opened again for the Jews in the Middle East and Europe. The Jews who lived in Shanghai started to leave for Israel, USA, Canada, Australia and other countries. Until 1948, there were about 10,000 Jews still living in Shanghai. Since October 1949, the Chinese government started sending back the Jews to return to their hometown. In 1957, there were about only 100 Jews left in Shanghai. During the 10 years of cultural Revolution (the great disaster) they went away silently. In 1976, there were only about 10 Jews in Shanghai.

Harold Silverman was born in Brooklyn, New York. He attended the Fashion Institute of Technology which led to his career in the production, design and manufacturing of ladies sportswear. In 1970, the darkroom called and developed into a lifetime of sanity for Silverman within the pressures of the business world. Black and white photography was the mainstay of his effort. Represented here is a small sampling of thousands of images he created during his travels throughout China nearly 30 years ago--the same time that China and Israel established a formal relationship.

Sugihara: The Japanese Schindler

A Walking Tour Through Jewish Shanghai

Sample exhibit photographs from the lens of Harold Silverman. Circa 1980s

The Jews of Shanghai contains (27) fine art photographs from the lens of Harold Silverman. Each hosting venue will receive a portfolio of (12) photographs for their permanent collection, or to be auctioned off at the end of the exhibit period as a fundraising opportunity to promote the organization's educational programs.

MUSEUM STORE &

DIGITAL PRINTING CENTER

ArtVision Exhibitions, LLC

125 N.W. 13th Street

Suite B-1

Boca Raton, Florida

33432

Email: VRehberg

Telephone:

(561) 883-2145