An enlightening exhibition that reveals the largely unknown narrative of the Jewish refugees who escaped Germany and Austria just before World War II, finding refuge in Shanghai. The extensive exhibition showcases numerous photographs and authentic artifacts, detailing the background of this historical event and highlighting the refugee community's experiences regarding survival, daily life, and cultural aspects. The upgraded museum now offers a far more extensive and captivating exhibition compared to its previous incarnation, making it worthwhile to revisit. Highly recommended!
Rachel Goldstein
United States
I had the pleasure of visiting the museum in October 2005. The historical connections between the Chinese and Jewish communities are deeply rich. The docent kindly invited us to the caretaker's room where a Chanukah menorah was displayed. When he asked me to sing a Hebrew prayer while lighting the candles, I did so, and he was delighted. After our museum visit, we explored the neighborhood, which retains much of its historical charm from when Jewish refugees lived there. At the end of the street, we found Peace Park, featuring a bronze plaque in Chinese, English, and Hebrew honoring the Jewish refugees. Here I am in front of the museum, the neighborhood, and the plaque.
Sarah Johnson
United States
This museum does an excellent job of representing the Jewish community that found refuge in Shanghai. It highlights the warmth and respect the Chinese people have for the Jewish community. While the synagogue is currently closed for renovations, you can explore the surrounding neighborhood to absorb its rich history. Don’t forget to visit the park just across the street!
Originally established by the Russian Ashkenazi Jewish community in 1928, this synagogue is located in the heart of the Jewish ghetto from the 1940s. It was restored in 2007 using original blueprints found in archives. Today, it serves as both a synagogue and the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, featuring exhibitions about the approximately 23,000 Central European refugees who fled to Shanghai to escape the Nazis. Unfortunately, I visited on a Monday when the museum is closed, so I could only appreciate it from outside. The museum serves as a touching tribute to an era and community that supported one another, and I urge everyone to visit, irrespective of their background. It’s profoundly moving, and I plan to prioritize this as my first stop next time.
On my last day in Shanghai, I decided to visit the museum, which is conveniently only a 5-minute walk from my hotel. I arrived early, as it opens at 9 am. Tickets can be purchased via WeChat or Alipay, but since I was a foreigner without a local number, I bought my ticket at the counter with my passport. I walked up the stairs to learn about the history of Jewish refugees seeking safety in Shanghai and other countries. Their suffering was unimaginable, yet the warmth and shelter provided by the Chinese people during such difficult times were invaluable. It’s worth a brief visit, taking me around 30-45 minutes to go through the exhibition.
