Excursion Shanghai’s jewish heritage tour at Shanghai

Learn about the modern Jewish history in Shanghai on this half-day outing that includes visits to the Ohel Moishe Synagogue, the old Jewish ghetto area, Huo Shan Park, the Jewish settlement region, and the Arts & Crafts Research Institute.

From the mid-19th century when the Sephardic Jewish merchant group began to appear in Shanghai, to the early 1940s, the Jews in Shanghai rose to become the largest Jewish community in the Far East. While the Nazis persecuted and massacred the Jews in Europe in the 1930s and during World War II, Shanghai was the only city in the world that freely allowed Jews to enter, requiring of them no visa, guarantee, or other documents. The city became a major destination of the Jewish people seeking asylum. From 1937 to 1939 approximately 30,000 European Jews swarmed into Shanghai - more than the total number of the Jewish refugees taken in by Canada, Australia, India, South Africa and New Zealand during the same period.

After settling down in Shanghai, the Jews lived together peacefully among the inhabitants of Shanghai and played a large role in promoting the economic and cultural development of the city with their outstanding creative power and wisdom. The Chinese and Jewish people each shared wealth and woe together in the hardships of the war years, forging a profound friendship. Since China's opening and reform policy, many 'Shanghai Jews' have come in succession to Shanghai to visit relatives, invest, make efforts or offer advice for the economy and construction of Shanghai, thus composing a new chapter in the history of Chinese and Jewish friendship. 'Shanghai Jew get-togethers' have become commonplace in various countries and districts where Jews have settled throughout the world.

The coach takes you from the pier to the Huo Shan Park, for a brief look at the Memorial Tablet for the Jews living in Shanghai during World War II. Next, follow your guide on foot through the Old Jewish ghetto area. Visit the Ohel Moishe Synagogue; while no longer an actively-functioning synagogue, today it serves as a museum.

Drive by outside of the Ohel Rachel Synagogue and through the French concession area. Here you can see the old Jewish theatre, the Jewish Club and Settlement. Disembark the coach and spend some time exploring the Arts & Crafts Research Institute in the area.

At the conclusion of your insightful look at Shanghai's Jewish history, return to the ship.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Ohel Moishe Synagogue, Old Jewish Ghetto and Theatre, Huo Shan Park, Jewish Settlement Region, Jewish Club and Settlement, Arts & Crafts Research Institute

Note

Please note: This tour requires a moderate amount of walking, with about 100 steps to climb. It is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. Photography is permitted inside the Ohel Moishe Synagogue. Order of sites see may vary.