About this course: Jewish Diaspora in China is a unique experience for world Jewry, as China is the only country in Far East that has had Jews living in its society for over 1,000 years. Documentary evidence shows that Jews started to live in China no later than the Tang Dynasty (618–907). The famous Kaifeng Jewish community, which was established in Kaifeng, the Chinese capital of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), is but a best-known example. However, the largest Jewish Diaspora in China appeared in modern times. In over 100 years, from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century, about 40,000 Jews came to China and lived in newly-established major port cities such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Harbin. Jewish communities composed of these Jews became an essential part of the economic and social life of those modern Chinese cities. What brought such a large number of Jews to China? Where did these people come from? How did they arrive? Were they all in China at the same time, and were there any differences among them? What happened to them after they arrived? Where are they now? The story of Jews in modern China is certainly a fascinating and up-lifting one. This course will examine these questions and more.
Created by: Nanjing University
Taught by: Xin Xu, Professor
Department of Philosophy
| Commitment | 8 hours of videos, quizzes and peer review |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Introduction
This course, "Jewish Diaspora in Modern China," will give you an understanding of the major issues related to the history of Jews in China in Modern times.
1 video, 1 reading
- Video: Introduction：Wandering Jews
- Reading: Suggested Readings
Background: Jews and China
In this module, we will introduce pre-modern Chinese society, wars with Western Powers, and the Open Door Policy. We will also analyze major causes that brought Jews to China. In particular, we will focus on waves of migrating Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews to China, which mark the beginning of the history of the Jewish diaspora in modern China.
3 videos
- Video: Background Jews and China
- Video: External Causes that Brought Jews to China
- Video: Three Waves of Jews Coming to China
Graded: Background: Jews and China
WEEK 2
The Jewish Community in Shanghai
In this module, we will study four Jewish communities established in Shanghai from the second half of the 19th century to the mid-20th century, with a special focus on the Sephardic Jews and European Jewish refugees.
5 videos
- Video: The Pioneers: Sephardi Jews
- Video: The Persecuted Ashkenazi Jewish Community
- Video: Holocaust Victims
- Video: The Polish Jewish Community
- Video: Jewish Communal Life and the Practice of Judaism in Shanghai
Graded: The Jewish Community in Shanghai
Graded: Peer Review
WEEK 3
The Jewish Community in Harbin
In this module, we will discuss Harbin as a newly established modern Chinese city. We will explore the Jewish communal life in the city from its leadership, various Zionist organizations, business, observance, and relations with adjacent Jewish communities in the region and in the country.
5 videos
- Video: The Harbin Jewish Community
- Video: Religious Life
- Video: Economic Life
- Video: Cultural Life
- Video: Other Jewish Communities and their links to Harbin
Graded: The Jewish Community in Harbin
Graded: Peer Review
WEEK 4
The Jewish Community in Tianjin
In this module, we will focus on the Jewish communal life in the port city of Tianjin, tracing its beginnings, development, and decline. We will also introduce some well-known Jewish individuals living in the city.
4 videos
- Video: Overview
- Video: Famous Jews of Tianjin
- Video: Communal Life
- Video: Qingdao Jews
Graded: The Jewish Community in Tianjin
WEEK 5
The Jewish Community in Hong Kong
In this module, we will explore the special status of Hong Kong as a center of Jewish life in China. We will trace the ups and downs of Jewish life in the city and the unique roles the Hong Kong Jewish Community played in the city-- the only Jewish community with a sustained, uninterrupted history in China over the past 160 years.
4 videos
- Video: Formative Period
- Video: Developments
- Video: Religion
- Video: Relations With the Mainland
Graded: The Jewish Community in Hong Kong
WEEK 6
Departure and Contributions
In this module, we will analyze the factors that spurred the departure of about 40,000 Jews from China. We will also discuss their contributions-- economic and cultural-- on Chinese society today.
4 videos
- Video: Departure
- Video: Contributions to China's Economy
- Video: Contributions to China's Culture
- Video: Conclusion
Graded: Departure and Contributions
Graded: Peer Review
WEEK 7
History Renewed and Impact
In this module, we will describe the re-establishment of Jewish communities in contemporary Chinese society, especially in Beijing and Shanghai, following the adoption of China's open-door policies and economic reforms in the 1980s. We will also discuss the impact of the re-establishment of Jewish communities on Chinese academia.
3 videos
- Video: New Attractions
- Video: Renewed Communities
- Video: Impact
- Peer Review: Peer Review
Graded: History Renewed and Impact
Graded: Peer Review
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Help from Your Peers
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Certificates
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
Creators
Nanjing University
Nanjing University (NJU) is committed to excellence in teaching and research. Located on the prosperous eastern coast of China, NJU provides a dynamic environment that nurtures learning, creativity, and discovery on one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. Taking NJU's university offerings on Coursera will be a rewarding experience for learners from every corner of the world.
Ratings and Reviews
Thanks!waiting for my Certificate!
I am thoroughly enjoying this course and I've learned so much! I had no idea that there were Jews in China and that so many fled there as a result of persecution in other countries. This has opened my eyes to a subject I knew nothing about and I love learning!!
This was a great course. I was a History major in college, but the information that I learned in this course was a complete surprise to me.
Coursera provides universal access to the world’s best education, partnering with top universities and organizations to offer courses online.
© 2017 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
This was a wonderful course and so informative. It helps me advocate for the Kaifeng Jews with American elected officials and informed my advocacy. I have so enjoyed the course and have bought a book by the Professor.