Our Daily News Letter

(Special Correspondence from Dr. Edward N. Calish)

I am completing a tour of the world and, in studying the Jewish situation in every land that I visited, I have found that in proportion to population Japan has probably the smallest number of Jews of any country in the world. While there are individual Jews in many cities of the Nipponese empire, there is no communal organization anywhere, except at Kobe, and that is along charitable rather than religious lines. It is a relief society and not a congregation. China however can boast of a number of Jewish congregations and synagogues. The oldest, at Kiengfu, the one discovered by the Portuguese in the 12th century, is more a memory than an actuality. Communication with Kiengfu was not possible, but I was assured in Shanghai, by those in a position to know, that the community at Kiengfu has practically ceased to exist as a distinct entity.

Shanghai, on the other hand, has a large and active Jewish community. It was begun some 75 years ago by traders from India and Arabia, who came to investigate and remained to take root, and became the seed for larger growth. These first settlers, Sephardic in custom, known as “Arabian Jews” are the “old families” the aristocracy of the community. The development of occidental trade brought, later, French, German, English, and American Jews. But the Ashkenazzic and the Sephardic elements do not mix-and sad, though not unusual, to relate, the Arabian Jews had a difference among themselves and there are now two congregations. One of them has an exquisitely beautiful synagogue, though at present no Rabbi. For the other Mrs. C. A. Hardoon is going to build a synagogue, at an estimated cost of Taels 350,000 (approximately $275,000) she to bear the entire cost thereof. Mr. Hardoon is the foremost figure in Shanghai Jewry. He came about 45 years ago as an employee of the Sasoon interests. He has received decorations and tokens of imperial favor, such as no other white man in China has received. He is enormously rich, and is charitable as he is wealthy. Mrs. Hardoon is half-Chinese, being the daughter of a French father and a Chinese mother. She is a Buddhist in faith and practice. The couple have no children of their own, but have adopted two little boys, who are being brought up in the Jewish faith.

Shanghai has, in miniature, the same problem as the capitals of the world–the problem of the Russian refugee. Coming via Siberia and Harbin, Russians, Jewish and non-Jewish, have flocked to Shanghai both during and since the great war. Unhappily there is no place for them. As merchants or artisans they cannot compete with the native Chinese. In the European quarters, in the brokers’, importers’ and bankers’ offices there is no room for them. Some are running little restaurants, some are selling papers on the streets. Many of the women are dancing in cabarets. It is a sad circumstance. But it is the only thing that has united Shanghai Jewry. In tradition and in worship they are widely separated, but in the effort to relieve their brethren they are united, as always and everywhere.

The Jewish Cause of University Heights obtained $25,000 in subscriptions at a dinner Sunday night at the Hotel Astor. The dinner marked the opening of 2 campaign for $150,000 or a building being created on Nelson Avenue and 174th Street, New York, as a Jewish centre and recreational and religious house for Jews in that section.

Addresses were made by Judge Otto S. Rosalsky, Jonah I. Goldstein, David N. Mosessohn, Arthor I. LeVine, President of the Centre, M. Maldwin Fertig and Rabbi I. L. Biel.

Judge Rosalsky, in his address, declared that Jewish centres were keeping Jews within the fold and were aiding to bring those Jews closer to Judaism who hare been weaned away.