Jews in Old China by Sidney Shapiro was originally
published by Hippocrene Books in 1984 with considerable success. It
was then translated in Hebrew and published in Israel in 1987. This
newly expanded edition offers a rich exposition, according to the
Chinese investigations, on the origins of these Jewish migrants
--when and why they came, the routes they followed, where they
settled, and descriptions of their religious and social lives under
the Hans, the Mongols and the Manchus. This book provides a wealth
of information about the conflicts, contributions, adaptation and
ultimate assimilation of the Jews in China.
The book delves into family names, occupations and biblical
references, but its most fascinating aspect has to do with the
decline and death of Kaifeng that once was a most vibrant
community…. -- Herb Hain, Los Angeles
Times
... a scholarly but unpretentious and readable book…
impressive, covering the religious history, economic and social and
political activities of the Jews and their eventual assimilation
into China…. -- David Crook, Beijing
Review
... a fascinating foray into history…. --
Richard F. Shepard, The New York Times Book
Review
... Your book is well written and…deserves to be very well
received by the American, Chinese, and Jewish press.
Congratulations. -- Letter, in English, from Xia Nai,
President of the Institute of Archeology, Chinese Academy of Social
Sciences
... unusual... technique combining summary, translation, and
your own analyses. I congratulate you on…an effective and very
informative presentation.... -- Letter from Arthur W.
Hummel, Jr., American Ambassador to China
The essays are written by Chinese, not Western, scholars, many
of whom did their research at Shapiro's behest, and focus on many
ancient communities of Chinese Jews, not just Kaifeng, which was
the largest.... -- AMT, Hadassah Journal
Product Details
Paperback: 269 pages
Publisher: Foreign Languages Press; new edition
Publish Date: Dec. 2007
Language: English
Price: 88 yuan
(China.org.cn January 8, 2008)
