84. Origins of the Jews of China (Jewish History Lab)

Many years ago, I watched a documentary about a man from western part of China traveling to Jerusalem to fulfill his dream as a jewish people.

Fascinating. I had a friend who was born in this Chinese Jewish community in Shanghai . My husband and I really enjoyed watching this and learning more!

Thanks for being here to educate us

In my ulpan class in Jerusalem 21 years ago, there was a young Chinese Jewish girl from Kaifeng who was trying to make Aiyah. She was not accepted as Jewish. She showed me some photographs of the Synagogue in Kaifeng and photos of her Father and brother wearing talit and tephilin. She had a beautiful singing voice and she sang to our class a Chinese Jewish song from the liturgy. I absolutely believed her that she was Jewish and so I introduced her to a well known Jerusalem Rabbi. He also believed her and used his influence to get her approved for Aliyah after a symbolic conversion. I am so pleased that she achieved her dream to live in Israel. Rabbi Micha Sloman.

This is incredibly fascinating. Got to be one of my favorites so far. Wow.

Very informative Thoroughly loved this one 👊🏿👊🏿👊🏿

This is such a great topic. Thank you for making all these lectures available to us.

as always, your teachings are priceless. thank you

Never a dull moment in a Dr. Henry lecture! Thank you as always for great content.

Years ago I read the novel, PEONY, by Pearl S Buck (Nobel prize winner in Literature 1938). I really enjoyed the story, and now I have enjoyed learning the history of the Jews of China. Thank you. Peony is a young Chinese bondmaid of a prominent Jewish family in Kaifeng during the 1850s. Buck is a wonderful story teller, and I really enjoyed reading Peony. After watching your video, Dr Abramson, I think I will re-read Peony!

Thank you for this Lecture . Bernie

Very fascinating indeed. I have read from Chinese media that some young people of Keifeng Jewish descendants have immigrated to Israel. Also, in Hong Kong there are two very influential families who are of Jewish heritage, the Bosman and Kadoorie. The Bosman were originally from Rheinland and moved to Hong Kong in the 1850's via the Nederland, and the Kadororie were originally from Baghdad. The Bosman have intermmarried with Chinese and became known as Ho, the most famous were the patriach Eric Ho Tung, billionaire Stanley Ho and his second cousin Bruce Lee.

Faith, Faith, Faith. That's what my grandpa told me in 1983 when I was leaving for USA, then in 1984 when I was leaving for Canada. Abraham's faith has been deeply rooted in the heart of his children. So many of them died and escaped for keeping faith. A few survived with faith in Kaifeng.

Very enjoyable. Thank you for you good work. regards Shabtai

Very interesting as always Dr Abramson. Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge.

Very interesting video lecture, rigorous and rich in historical evidence.

I was returning to Beijing from the Great Wall in 2015. My friend suggested we eat at a "Real" restaurant, I had no clue what she meant. It turned out it was an Israeli restaurant run by a Jewish family that had run the restaurant for 80 years. The food was good and spicy. The family had been in China so long they didn't recognise the tiny bit of Yiddish I knew but their Mandarin was first class..

Many thanks from Australia! Wonderful education.

Wow, such a fascinating history! On another note,, who are your favorite YouTube historians or religious nerds? Love your videos! God bless.

Excellent content 👍