Seminars
and Workshops
Plans
History
China Judaic Studies Association
Promoting Judaic Studies in China
Prior Conferences
May 2002 - Report
International Symposium on the History of Jewish Diaspora in China
Ilan Maor, Consulate General of Israel in Shanghai, joined over 40 delegates from China, the United States, the Great Britain, Israel, Australia, Japan, and Germany at in the successful International Symposium: History of Jewish Diaspora in China, initiated and organized by the Center for Jewish Studies at Nanjing University, May 5-9, 2002, in Nanjing and Kaifeng, China
Twenty-seven papers filled the four-day discussion with topics covering the entire history of the Jewish Diaspora in China: past, present, and future... (For details, see the program.)
Sixty participants and guests attended the May 5 Grand Opening where Nanjing Professor Hong Yinxing, Vice President of Nanjing University, delivered the opening speech and hosted a welcome banquet.
Itzhak Shelef, Ambassador of Israel to China, sent a congratulatory letter to Prof Xu Xin, the conference chairman, stating, “This year marks the first decade of full diplomatic relations between the State of Israel and the People’s Republic of China. It is a pertinent opportunity for looking back with satisfaction upon the academic cooperation between universities and research institutes in our two countries. I am happy that your Center is one of the prime sources for the top level academic output, achieved through intellectual pursuit and uncompromising research standards.”
The conference highlighted the grand celebration of the Centennial of Nanjing University, founded in 1902 and one of five top universities in China. Participants were impressed by the University’s achievements and the Center for Jewish Studies’ role in promoting Jewish subjects among Chinese during the past ten years.
On May 9, 24 participants traveled to Kaifeng to visit the city, hold further discussions and meet several Jewish descendants.