"Ask most #Jewish people about the #history of their #coreligionists in #China, and they might recall the bygone #Kaifeng community.
But for tens of thousands of #Jews, China was home during the first half of the 20th century. They found themselves far from their homes in #Russia, #Lithuania, or what is today #Ukraine, yet the giant #Asian country proved to be a safe haven for Jews from Eastern #Europe during the #Holocaust – until the #Japanese invasion.
Even before those dark years, from around 1900 onward, many arrived simply seeking economic stability and a better life – like the Matlin family, who moved to #Harbin and began trading in Mongolian cattle and racehorses. Cities such as #Shanghai, Harbin, and #Tianjin opened their doors to these #Russian-speaking newcomers, who established #synagogues, schools, and thriving business enterprises."
