Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
×

Chinese Jews

Jewish Mandarin Chinese speakers gather in New York City roughly once a month to speak the language and share their experiences. (Jackie Hajdenberg/ JTA)
March 14, 2026, 2:13 am
For Chinese-speaking Jews in New York, ‘Mazel Tofu’ offers a new kind of community
The collective of Jewish Mandarin speakers formed two years ago through an only-in-NYC tale of serendipity and Jewish geography, and now meets monthly
By Jackie Hajdenberg
Illustrative: Lion dancers perform at Dongyue Temple on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Horse in Beijing on February 17, 2026. (Pedro PARDO / AFP)
February 24, 2026, 2:02 pm
China pivoting toward antisemitism, driven by geopolitics, report finds; China rejects ‘unfounded’ claims
JPPI says Beijing’s escalating rivalry with the US, alignment with Muslim nations, and adoption of anti-Western narratives is changing its previously positive attitude to Jews
By Zev Stub
'Zhen Yu and the Snake,' by Erica Lyons. (Courtesy via JTA)
October 2, 2023, 6:33 am
Talmudic tale with 12th-century Chinese twist expands Jewish world for young minds
In ‘Zhen Yu and the Snake,’ author Erica Lyons adapts a well-known story about Rabbi Akiva’s daughter while also highlighting China’s rich Jewish history
By Jordyn Haime
Jews 'have special emotions toward the Chinese,' Rabbi Matt Trusch explains in a Douyin video aimed at the vast Chinese audience. (Courtesy/ via JTA)
August 26, 2022, 5:40 am
A Texas rabbi is fighting Jewish stereotypes on China’s TikTok
Matt Trusch lived in China for years, but it’s been tough to go back to visit during the pandemic era. Now he’s found a way to connect with Chinese speakers that has gone viral
By Jordyn Haime
Sun Yat-sen, the father of the Chinese nation, whose letter extolling Zionism was recently discovered in 2021 at The National Library of Israel (Courtesy The National Library of Israel)
February 10, 2021, 5:29 pm
China’s century-old support for Zionism surfaces in letter
In document that is part of National Library collection, pre-communism leader Dr. Sun Yat-sen calls Zionism ‘one of the greatest movements of the present time’
By Jessica Steinberg
In this detail of an image from his haggadah, artist Leon Fenster depicts the Israelites as children dressed in Beijing school uniforms. (Courtesy of Fenster/ via JTA)
March 22, 2020, 6:10 am
Release of Passover haggadah encapsulating Beijing Jewry delayed due to virus
London-born artist Leon Fenster planned to unveil the years-in-the-making 180-page text illustrating Jewish history in China’s transient capital, but was forced to leave the city
By Alan Grabinsky
Rabbi Shalom Greenberg distributed thousands of masks and aid kits to Jews and non-Jews in Shanghai's Hongkou district. (Courtesy Chabad Shanghai)
March 16, 2020, 11:56 pm
As virus ravages Asia, Jews carry on through faith in God and fellow man
Despite longstanding measures to maintain distance, communities across China, Japan, and Korea manage to still come together — and are even planning for communal Passovers
By Rich Tenorio
Rabbi Shalom Greenberg distributed thousands of masks and aid kits to Jews and non-Jews in Shanghai's Hongkou district. (Courtesy Chabad Shanghai)
March 9, 2020, 2:11 pm
In coronavirus-stricken China, Jews adopt new, hi-tech ways to worship
Jewish leaders adapt to serve a small, tight-knit community — under lockdown at home or dispersed around the globe — with virtual activities and modified programming
By Miriam Groner
Sivan Kaynar Kissinger sings a number from 'Shimmer' (Channel 2 news)
April 15, 2017, 11:31 am
Kissinger’s niece portrays Jewish refugee in China
Sivan Kaynar Kissinger stars in Chinese musical about real-life Jewish family who fled Nazi Germany to Shanghai
By ToI Staff
Some members of China's Jewish community in Kaifeng on the first night of Hanukkah, December 6, 2015. (Shavei Israel)
September 25, 2016, 8:25 am
Chinese authorities crack down on tiny Jewish community
Study center serving Kaifeng’s 1,000 Jews closed by authorities, public events canceled, report says
By ToI Staff
Members of the Bnei Menashe Jewish community from across northeastern India gathering in Churachandpur, in the Indian state of Manipur, to celebrate Hanukkah, Dec. 8, 2015. (Shavei Israel)
December 11, 2015, 8:02 pm
Hanukkah worldwide, lifeline to a shared Jewish heritage
A celebration of the festival of lights in photographs, some from unexpected places
By Gabe Friedman
Members of the Kaifeng Chinese Jewish community light the menorah on the first night of Hanukkah, December 6, 2015. (Shavei Israel)
December 7, 2015, 9:49 am
Chinese descendants of Jews celebrate Hanukkah
Kaifeng community in northern China gathers to light menorahs along with the rest of the Jewish world
By Stuart Winer
Illustrative: Jewish refugees in Shanghai during World War II. (screen capture: YouTube/ HongKongHeritage)
August 24, 2015, 9:53 am
Shanghai showcases role in saving Jews during Holocaust
Exhibition detailing China’s role in sheltering thousands of Jewish refugees launches this week alongside 70th anniversary WWII victory celebrations
By Bill SAVADOVE
A scene from the documentary “Web Junkie,” which looks at one of some 400 military-style facilities to treat Internet addiction in China. (JTA/Dogwoof Global)
July 13, 2015, 4:39 pm
In China, Israeli filmmakers seek ‘cure’ for Internet addiction
Shosh Shlam and Hilla Medalia spent 3 months in ’web-rehab’ facility to chronicle how teens are weaned off the online world
By Rachel Delia Benaim
Jesse Appell, an American comedian living in Beijing, finds that Chinese audiences are eager to hear about his Jewish background. (Courtesy of Jesse Appell/JTA)
June 7, 2015, 3:05 am
Nice Jewish boy goes to China, becomes stand-up star
Comedian Jesse Appell’s humor doesn’t always translate, but his Mandarin Chinese sure is fluent
By Uriel Heilman
Load More
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Back to top
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.