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President: Xu Xin: xuxin49@jlonline.com
School of Religious Studies, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093

Executive Director: Beverly Friend, Ph.D. friend@oakton.edu
Oakton Community College, 7701 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie,  IL 60077-2895

Foreign Office: Kenneth Lubowich ODM
For tour information email: info@china-usa.org

Web Page Editor: Dick Smith of Dick Smith Software: dick@dicksmithsoftware.com

The Glazer Institute of Jewish Studies at Nanjing University eagerly awaits its newest appointee.  Zhenhua Meng (Hebrew name Jeremiah), a Ph.D. from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, was officially hired in by the University in January. 

Dr. Meng, a highly promising young scholar with formal training on Jewish studies, was born in Shanghai in 1981. After high school graduation from Nanjing Foreign Language School (as an English major), he continued at Peking University (the only university in China then offering a Hebrew program) as one of only nine students accepted in the program.

Before graduation, he received a one-year scholarship to study at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. As a student of Hebrew, he had passed Level Vav (the highest level in Ulpan) in Modern Hebrew prior to his graduation. 

In the summer of 2003, he entered the Chinese University of Hong Kong for postgraduate studies majoring in the Hebrew Bible. Fourteen months later, he became the first M. Phil. student who directly transferred to the Ph.D. program in the history of the department. In July 2006, he again visited Israel to collect data and participate in archeological excavations in Ramat Rachel. The title of his Ph.D. thesis is “A Study of the Groups in Persian Yehud.”

Dr. Meng has excellent linguistic ability. In addition to his proficiency in Hebrew and English, he has also learnt several ancient languages including Hebra Aramaic, Syriac, LXX Greek, and Ugaritic.
In the summer of 2002, he had been accepted to study at the workshop of Jewish history and culture run by the Nanjing Glazer Institute initially for professors and teachers at Chinese colleges and universities. His performance caught the attention of Prof. Xu Xin, Director of the Institute, who followed his academic growth before hiring him.

It is worth mentioning that in 2001, as a sophomore, Meng set up a website (http://www.israelcn.com) to provide information on Israel and the Jewish People to the Chinese audience. This website soon became popular and the affiliated online forum hosted a number of heated discussions about Israel. After he went to Israel, he wrote columns for different Chinese newspapers in order to share his unforgettable experiences and thoughts towards Jews and Zionism. 

He has also translated the two books from Hebrew into Chinese: Rachel Bernheim’s holocaust memoir, Earrings in the Cellar (Kunming: Yunnan People’s Publishing House, 2005) and David Grossman’s Lion’s Honey (Taipei: Locus Publishing, 2007).

Dr, Meng will certainly be an asset to the Institute faculty. 

 The professor celebrated a quiet Seder with 15 participants at Nanjing University, and he is physically able resume his many projects. Currently, he has just finished a book on Jewish Culture for Chongqing Publishing House and he is helping to translate a book by Jack Rosen, Chairman of the American Jewish Congress, offering explanations of Jewish successes. In addition, he is delighted that his health will permit him to lead a tour for a Jewish group from Australia, to be headed by Rabbi Franklin of Denver.

Dr. ALFONZ LENGYEL TO VISIT HARBIN

Dr. Lengyel will fly to Beijing on May 30 to attend and speak on the International Conference of the Chinese Academy of Social Science's Institute of Archaeology. After Harbin, he will speak at the International Conference of the Harbin Chapter of the Chinese Academy of Social Science about the JEWISH CONTRIBUTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY OF HARBIN. He notes that the Jewish population in addition to business establishments founded great number of social and cultural Institutions, such as a Symphonic Orchestra.
         He will present also the recording of the Russian Easter Overture by the Harbin Symphony Orchestra. It was recorded by Colombia Records Japan at the NHK Studio in Tokyo during the orchestra's tour of Japan in March 1939. Presently UCLA retired Professor, a Harbin born Peter Berton , then young  violinist was playing  in the first violin section 69 years ago.
        Following all this, Dr. Lengyel will hold a seminar at the Nanjing University of Finance and economics.  His Chinese wife is a Business Communication professor there. He also announced oa recently opened special exhibition in the New (Hasidic) Synagogue in Harbin

For further information and photos of the Harbin synagogue (ruins and the new rennovation), contact Dr. Lengyel, who can be reached at the following address.
4206- 73dr Terrace East
Sarasota, FL 34243. USA)
www.geocities.com/fmfsafsa

 INTERNATIONAL NEWS:

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE WWII, SHANGHAI JEWS CELEBRATE WEDDING INSIDE SYNAGOGUE (about Ohel Rachel)

"A glass was smashed, and a cheer went up. After months of careful negotiations with the Chinese government, Shanghai's Jewish community celebrated a revival last month as a historic synagogue opened for its first wedding in about 60 years."
 For the full article, see  http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/976404.html 

BEIJING'S ONLY KOSHER RESTAURANT MULLS SECOND BRANCH AHEAD OF OLYMPICS

"The capital's only Kosher restaurant opened 10 months ago, drawing the small Jewish expatriate community, tourists, curious Chinese and even a few Muslims. Business has been so good at Dini's Kosher Restaurant, that part-owner Lewis Sperber is talking about setting up a second branch closer to the Olympic venues in northern Beijing."
For full article, see http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/950010.html

CHINA 'REGRETS' SPIELBERG'S BOYCOTT OF OLYMPICS OVER DARFUR

"China expressed regret on Thursday over the decision by movie director Steven Spielberg to quit as an artistic adviser to the Beijing Olympics because of its policies in war-torn Sunday." For full article see http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/954290.html

AMID ISRAELI SIEGE, PALESTINIAN BUSINESSES LOOK EAST TO CHINA

"Faced with Israeli trade and travel restrictions, a stagnant economy and a flood of cheap imports from Asia, Palestinian businessmen are increasingly seeking their fortunes in China." For full article, see http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/971006.html

SINO JUDAIC BOARD
Beverly  Friend has been invited to join the Board of the Sino Judaic Institute and plans to attend their annual meeting in Seattle, August 3. 
 

COMPLETED:
No Girls in the Marching Band, A Memoir, gives a detailed description of the initial friendship between  Jim Friend, and Professor Xu Xin, in 1985 and tells the story of the organization up to the ultimate moment: the dedication of the Glazer Institute for Judaic Studies at Nanjing University in 2006. Further information on the book can be found at Cafe Press. 

 China Journal: A World of Difference, the posthumous publication of James Friend's joyous diary about teaching at Nanjing University, 1985-86, can be found at Cafe Press 

Little did anyone think, 20 years ago, that the travels of one professor from Chicago State University heading to teach English at Nanjing University would result in the recent opening of the Diane and Guilford Glazer Institute of Judaic Studies at Nanjing University.

Lincolnwood resident Jim Friend was the first Jew Professor Xu Xin had ever met -- but he was far from the last. Following that meeting, Xu went on to live life with a reform Jewish family, the Friends, while teaching in the U.S, returned to China via Israel, initiated a Center for Judaic studies, worked on a one-volume Chinese edition of the Encyclopedia Judaica studied at an Ulpan in Israel and Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, went on to write original works in English and Chinese as well as translating works of Jewish American and Israel authors, ran international symposiums and created special seminars for Chinese professors of history and western civilization in order to provide them with information on Judaism to take back to their own university courses. 

Now, his dream has come true with the establishment of the Glazer center, fulfilled by the donations from the Glazer family and the contributions of many other charitable trusts and individuals (many from the Chicago area).

As members of the Friend family, Tracy, Lynn and I were thrilled to be there on a most spiritually gratifying 10-day pilgrimage that was bracketed by two contrasting but equally uplifting Shabbat services (Reform in Beijing and Chabad in Shanghai), and highlighted by the Dedication of the Institute.

The celebration opened late Monday afternoon, Nov. 20 with a formal discussion between Nanjing University Vice President Zhou Xian and Rabbi Alfred Gottschalk, honorary Chancellor of Hebrew Union College as well as Chair of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's Academic Committee, who was scheduled as the keynote speaker for the next day. They exchanged pleasantries and discussed the unique role this department will play at the university before heading for a banquet hosted by the school.

The Dedication itself opened Tuesday morning with speeches delivered in a tiered lecture hall before an audience of about 80 which included University President Zhang Rong;  Kenneth Jarrett, U.S. Consul General in Shanghai; Amir Lati, Israeli Deputy Consul General in Shanghai; professors and scholars from Nanjing and other Chinese Universities; benefactor William Fern; Episcopal Priest John Blessing; Arthur Rosen, Chairman of the Board of the Sino Judaic Institute; Mattan Lurie, on behalf of the Glazers, Jerry Gotel of the London Jewish Cultural Centre; representatives from Jewish communities and corporations in China, and members of the Friend family. 

Tracy Friend, who is both the President of B'nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim in Glenview, IL, and a composer of liturgical melodies, presented Xu with 54 musical CD's donated by a broad band of American  Jewish artists. She and Rabbi Gottschalk's granddaughter Atara performed four musical selections as part of the ceremony (Oseh Shalom, Shalom Rav, When All is Said and Done, and Ani V'Atah) 

 Xu prepared and distributed a glossy blue and white booklet with the speeches printed in both English and Chinese  in order to avoid the need for  lengthy translations. After Xu's welcome and description of what has been accomplished and the goals still to be met, Beverly Friend gave a brief history of the origins of the China Judaic Studies Association.

 The highlight of the three-hour ceremony  was  Rabbi Gottshalk's  formal address where he cogently stated: "Somehow, somewhere, those concerned with the future of he human community must take the first steps to clear away the debris that bars people from each other.  The basic values which make relationships possible deal with the power of the spirit, not the spirit of power. You who are here at this Center and at the University have opportunity to make a creative difference. "

 Following the speeches, awards and fellowships were granted to graduate students before the group proceeded to the unveiling of the five rooms on the 8th floor of the brand new 12-story Center for International Studies.  Outside the door of each, a handsome silver plaque with the China Judaic Association Logo announced the individuals being honored. 

• The James and Beverly Friend Memorial Exhibition/Conference Hall is the largest, a brightly lit room graced by a large oval wood conference table, and three walls of display. The first is a wall of recessed niches, each containing a Jewish artifact (Menorah, Shofar, Tallis, and other memorabilia). Across from this what appears to be a large wooden doorway is really an arc containing a glass enclosed, historically significant Torah from an Eastern European Country donated by Rabbi Marvin Tokayer. A display case of relevant books stands before the third wall which has posters and pictures citing the history of the Association and its most historic moments.

• The Rabbi Arthur and Elisabeth Schneier Judaica Library, currently holds 7,000 books, which will soon grow to over 10,000 with the addition of Rabbi Gottshalk's collection. 

• The Kaufman Study Room in honor of Teddy Kaufman, President of the Israel-China Friendship Association provides an ample classroom for students. This room was established by Varda and Sjalom Yorn from Israel. 
• A cozy seminar room, with tables and computers to facilitate students, and the Director's Room, which houses Xu Xin's office were both established by the London Jewish Cultural Centre.

 In a corridor between the rooms,  a list of donors: foundations, organizations, patrons, sponsors and donors hangs in imposing testimony to all who made this Institute possible. 

 All of this   - the speeches, unveiling and tour -- was covered by a host of enthusiastic Chinese reporters and TV cameras and scheduled for that evening's news broadcast. 

 The Institute has come a long way since its founding 1992 when China established a full diplomatic relationship with Israel, and meets a growing demand for Judaic studies in China. Currently it serves 200-300 undergraduate and a dozen graduate students with a faculty of two full-time and four associate-faculty members. A search is now underway to add additional three qualified instructors. 

 None of this could have been achieved without its guiding light -- Professor Xu Xin -- who received an honorary doctorate from Bar-Ilan University in 2003 “for establishing the academic framework for the teaching of Jewish history and culture in China and for encouraging the development of Sino-Israel ties.” 
 He noted that the dedication of the new site, however, doesn't mark the end of the road -- it marks a new beginning of further projects. Directly following the dedication, Xu set off for Israel to conduct research at both the Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of Contemporary Racism and Anti-Semitism at Tel Aviv Univ. and the Vidal Sassoon International for the study of Anti-Semitism at the Hebrew University in preparation for his latest state-level project for which he received a grant from the Chinese Ministry of State Education. This will result in three books: one on anti-Semitism, one on Holocaust Studies, and a third on the Documents of anti-Semitism. 

 After completing his studies in Israel, Xu heads for Nottingham University where he will deliver a speech at the Limmud Conference, 2006: "The Jewel in our Community's Crown." (see http://www.limmud.org/conference/ for more information on this.)

 Next year - possibly in September -- he hopes to return  to the US to continue his research, and he plans to complete his book on Anti-Semitism in 2008. 

For further information contact Beverly Friend at friend@oakton.edu

In addition to visiting colleges, universities, and numerous organizations, my main mission was to plan the dedication of the new Glazer Center for Judaic Studies at Nanjing University, and I am delighted to announce that on November 21, 2006 dedication ceremonies will be conducted at Nanjing University. Dr. Alfred Gottschalk, Chancellor Emeritus of Hebrew Union College, will honor us as the keynote speaker. The center, originated in 1992, desperately needed new space. In 2001 we launched the expansion program. Now, with the completion of a new building it will not only have a new location, but much needed class rooms and a library for this institution which provides the core of research opportunities on Judaic topics for Chinese students and scholars.

You are invited to join us for the dedication!

In Lincolnwood, where I was the first Chinese academician to be honored in the Scholar-in Residence Program, I spoke on "A Brief History and Contemporary Vestiges of the Jews of Kaifeng, China" and "The Posture of the People's Republic of Chine toward Jews & Judaism."

What a gratifying turnout. Over 200 attended the sessions on a cold winter Saturday evening and the following Sunday morning. Rabbi Joel Lehrfield was delighted, and so was I. It was equally delightful to expand my meetings with the Epstein family. I had met seven of them on the 2005 "Land of the Dragon Tour with Jewish Touch" and was so glad to get together with 14 of them this time to dine at Slice of Life, a kosher restaurant in Skokie

 January 26, in the middle of the Chicago stay, I dashed down to Orlando for a day to participate in the Jewish Studies program at Rollins College at the invitation of Dr. Yudit Greenberg, Professor of Religion and Director of the Jewish Studies Program. In addition to a public lecture on "Jewish Life in China: Past and Present" I enjoyed a productive discussion with her about a possible exchange program between our two institutions. 

As always while in Chicago, we (my wife and our son who joined us) stayed with our American family. Beverly Friend not only made all the arrangements for my Midwest appearances, but held a Chinese New Year's Eve Party so that we could not only celebrate the New Year but see each and every family member, as we are very close. To round out the week, I spoke at Oakton Community College and the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston. 

Next -- on to Milwaukee.  Last year, while the Wisconsin Society for Jewish Learning was planning its 50th anniversary celebration, Alverno College's Asian Studies Initiative was planning to integrate Asian studies into the school curriculum. When Kathy Jenduska from the Society and Linda Frank from the Sino Judaic Institute got together, the result was a joint venture to import the traveling "Jews of Kaifeng Exhibit" prepared by the Institute and mount it at the college for three months. When Friend was asked to participate, she was delighted to inform them that I would be only 90 miles away. Therefore, I presided at the grand opening by lecturing on "The History and Current Status of the Jews of Kaifeng" which was followed by Chinese New Year's feast of kosher Chinese hors d'oeuvres in the art gallery. I could think of no better way to celebrate our New Year than with this amazing turnout of over 400 who attended.  What happiness to see such tremendous interest among American Jews in the history of the Kaifeng descendants.

During my visit to Milwaukee I also spoke to several elementary, high school and college classes, before being interviewed by "The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle" (see "The Chinese Respect Jewish Achievements, Scholar Says," Feb 3, 2006).

EAST COAST: Here, I was busier in private than in public meetings.

Public Sessions
At Montclair I participated in the "Forum on International Issues" sponsored by the Global Education Center of the University.  A documentary film: "Sugihara: Conspiracy of Kindness," was shown, followed by a panel discussion with Rabbi Marvin Tokayer, co-author of "The Fugu Plan: the Untold Story of the Japanese and the Jews during WWII," and Prof. Kenneth Olenik of the MSU. 

At CUNY I described reasons why Chinese are interested in Jews at a session of the Proshansky Jewish Studies Seminar Series, chaired by Professor Samuel Heilman, a long-time friend. The presentation was followed by an interview by Anthony Weiss, a reporter from Forward (See "Chinese Scholar of Judaic Studies Urges Closer Ties," February 17 at http://forward.com/articles/7364)

Private meetings
I met with the following wonderful, helpful people:

• • Dr. Marina Cunningham, Director of the Global Education Center, and her assistant, Wendy Simon. We discussed their summer program in China. 
• • Abigail Tenembaum, Vice President of the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation (I was newly appointed as its China representative). We conferred about possible ways to help Chinese to get more familiar with Raoul Wallenberg, who saved thousands of Jews during WWII. 
• • Dr. Alfred Gottschalk, Chancellor Emeritus of Hebrew Union College, who has a long interest in seeing the growth of our Center, has helped us immeasurably.He was most generous in accepting my invitation to keynote the Center dedication November 21, 2006.  We also discussed ways of shipping his library, a most generous gift for our Center, to Nanjing. He also kindly arranged for me to see and have brunch with Richard Scheuer, a long time sponsor for our Judaic program, in the Tap room of the New York Athletic Club. Mr. Scheuer brought his grandson Joey, a student at NYU who is planning to study Chinese language and culture, and we were joined by Rabbi Leonard Schoolman, the Program Director of the Interfaith Program at St. Barts College, and his wife. Mr. Scheuer was very interested in learning about the growth of our Center and pledged to sponsor the dedication ceremony. 
• • Rabbi Arthur Schneier, President of the Appeal of Consciousness Foundation and a long time friend of the Chinese. I have met him each time I visited New York, and his foundation is considering not only  participating in the project to build our Center but his congregation will also present us an appropriate Torah scroll to be displayed for educational purposes in the exhibition hall.  We also discussed possible ways in collaboration with Yeshiva University to translate and publish a number of books reflecting the beliefs and practices of Orthodox Judaism into Chinese. 
• • Prof. Fred Lazin of Ben Gurion University.He visited and lectured at Nanjing University last September. We discussed my upcoming visit to Israel for both the participation in the "Hurst Seminar on Jewish Immigration in the 20th Century" in May and the signing of an agreement of exchange programs between our two institutions. 

WEST COAST:  Last but far from least:  Los Angeles. 

Though originally the mission was to participate in the Jewish Studies program at the University of Judaism as a guest speaker, the highlights went beyond that. 

I met with Nancy Berman, President of the Philip and Muriel Berman Foundation, and her husband Alan. Happy to renew our friendship, I was now able to thank them for another generous gift from the Philip and Muriel Berman Foundation for our Center. 

I was extremely happy to see Diane and Guilford Glazer, whose generous donation will be commemorated by naming the Center in their honor. Over lunch at the Jewish Country Club, we spoke of relations between China and Israel, and he assured me that his fund will continue to support Jewish programs in China. I am most grateful. After that, Diane Glazer once again interviewed me. (The last time was in 1995.) The interview will be aired on the Diane Glazer Show, a TV interview program broadcast by the Jewish Network.  Rosalie Lurie, Los Angeles Executive Director of Tel Aviv University: American Council, made all this arrangement. 

 Though the schedule was very tiring, I was still able to spend several enjoyable hours visiting the newly renovated J. Paul Getty Museum. Thanks to our friends, Joan and Joel Schrier, we were able to get tickets, which are scarce. 

While it proved impossible to see all the many friends I have in LA, our hosts, Betty and David Welsh, invited everyone for a dessert party on the eve of our departure. Because of their hospitality, I was able to see another 40 friends who either have been to China or plan to visit this year. What a way to wind up the visit! 

Now, back home to prepare for the Dedication.  Hope you can join us!

TheKaifeng Stone Inscriptions: The Legacy of the Jwish Community in Ancient China by Tiberiu Weisz 

Chicken Soup and Chopsticks: A Jew's Struggle for Truth in an Interfaith Marriage by Jack Botwinik 

My China Eye: Memors of a Jew and  a Jounalist by Israel Epstein (upcoming)

KAIFENG BOOK AND DOLL:
In an alternative to American Girl books and Dolls, Reyna and the Jade Star, by Robin Levinson is the second in a series of new books about young Jewish girls. It will  be issued this summer. Set in 1175, the story  concerns a merchant’s daughter with an uncanny sense about people. Her jade Star of David plays a major part as  does her friendship with a Confucian boy. Other Gali Girl books are Miriam's Journey: Discovering the New World (about a Russian Immigrant)_ and Shoshanah and the Native Rose (About early Jewish history in Brazil). Gali Girls

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Membership in the Association promotes Judaic Study in China

• University Courses
• Seminars and Public Lectures on Judaic Topics here and in China
• Judaic Conferences
• Tours to Jewish Historical Sites
• Awards to Chinese scholars who have made outstanding contributions in the field
• Publications which include the following:
• A Chinese Version of the Enclyclopedia Judaica (in 2nd printing)
• Anti-Semitism: How and Why (in Chinese), by Xu Xin
• Legends of the Chinese Jews of Kaifeng (in English), by Xu Xin with Beverly Friend
• This website, which evolved from the bi-annual newsletter The China/Judaic Connection
• Books, monographs and articles
• Electronic mailings to people who have expressed an interest in the subject

"The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the author. The contents of this page and  the links therein have not been reviewed, approved or endorsed by Oakton Community College."