Chinese Jews and the power of Jewish peoplehood
Kaifeng Jews (with Eran Barzilay in back)
When December’s devastating fire ravished Israel’s Carmel mountain range, the Jewish community in Kaifeng, China was distraught. Without most of the community ever having visited Israel, let alone the country’s lush north, the Jews of Kaifeng nevertheless felt strongly that they needed to help in whatever way they could.
With the assistance of Eran Barzilay, a young Israeli who has been studying Chinese at Henan University in Kaifeng for the past year, the community decided to make a donation to the Yemin Orde Youth Village, which was at the epicenter of the fire.
Yemin Orde was home to more than 500 children from 20 countries, ranging in age from 5 to 19-years-old. Reconstruction efforts are already underway, but school officials estimate it will take nearly two years to rebuild the entire village. A video of the school and its destruction can be found on its website here.
Yemin Orde was a natural choice for the Kaifeng Jews: several community members had studied there in the past and have since returned to China. With their greater knowledge of Hebrew and Jewish practice, they have been an invaluable asset in building and enhancing their home community.
The Kaifeng contribution to Yemin Orde has another significance, taking place just before the holiday of Purim, which commemorates the Jewish people’s triumph over Haman who sought to destroy them. The Purim Megillah (the scroll of Esther) relates that, following their victory, the Jews gave presents to those lest fortunate than themselves. Which is exactly what the Jews of Kaifeng did for Yemin Orde.
And yet, it’s a bittersweet connection: the Kaifeng Jewish community itself is a very poor one. Barzilay estimates the average salary at no more than $150 a month. Indeed, most of Shavei Israel‘s work with China has been to raise money for the Jews of Kaifeng – to help pay for activities, to celebrate holidays, and even to buy food. But the community insisted on helping their brethren in Israel!
For Barzilay, this response of the Kaifeng Jews was very emotional. “I learned something deep about Jewish community,” he says. “If something happens on the other side of the world to the Jews, you feel it in your heart and you want to do something to help others. The Kaifeng Jews have learned this fundamental and very wonderful mitzvah.”
Following their decision to donate to Yemin Orde, the community held a meeting and everyone agreed to give what they could. The older members gave up to $15; the children searched their piggybanks for half that amount. Ultimately, the total raised was nearly $300. Barzilay arranged for the transfer to Israel.
Barzilay, an East Asian studies major with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Hebrew University, was traveling in China to improve his Chinese. When he heard about the Kaifeng community, he was immediately attracted. “I wanted a place where I’d have an opportunity to go to synagogue and celebrate Shabbat with other Jews, while I was studying,” he says.
He remembers his first day in Kaifeng very well. “It was a Friday and I was met at the train station. The father was wearing a kippah (yarmulke). When I went to their home, there were many Jewish things: Hanukah menorahs, Israeli flags. It was amazing.”
The Kaifeng Jewish community’s donation to Yemin Orde is a truly inspiring demonstration of the power of Jewish peoplehood. It is now our opportunity to give back. If you’d like to help the Jews of Kaifeng, please click on this link to Support Us