The Story of Survival and Triumph of Human Spirit

The Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto (CCC), with the support of the Jewish community, academic institutions, and government bodies, is presenting a unique cross-cultural exhibition – Jews in Shanghai: The Story of Survival – in Scarborough from November 5 to December 22, 2001. The free exhibit, to be held at CCC's Dr Hin-shiu Hung Gallery at 5183 Sheppard Avenue East, Scarborough (southeast corner of Sheppard/Progress), will open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Group visits are welcome. The exhibition highlights the story of 18,000 Jews who found sanctuary from the Nazis in Shanghai, China during World War II. It features the exhibit “Shanghai, a Refuge during the Holocaust” from the Holocaust Education Centre of Vancouver; the story of Chinese diplomat Dr Feng Shan Ho who issued life-saving visas for the Jews to escape Holocaust; pictures of the former Hongkou Jewish “ghetto” and other Jewish sites in Shanghai – then and now; and personal experience, artefacts and records of several Toronto Jewish families who lived in Shanghai from 1938 to 1948. Films and videos such as Karen Shopowitz's “A Place to Save Your Life,” and “The Port of Last Resort” directed by Joan Grossman and Paul Rosdy will be shown.

The Chinese City of Shanghai became a refuge mainly due to the efforts of diplomats in Europe who issued visas allowing thousands of European Jews to escape Nazi-occupied Europe. The exhibition profiles one of these diplomats – Dr Feng Shan Ho, Chinese Consul General in Vienna, whose life-saving visas helped many Jews escape Europe to get to Shanghai. Many Jews were released from Nazi concentration camps on the strength of Chinese visas. Dr Ho issued these visas on his own authority, despite orders to desist and a reprimand from his superiors. Dr Ho was awarded the status of Righteous Among the Nations by the State of Israel in October 2000. Apart from bringing together material from the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, Center of Jewish Studies in Shanghai, Shanghai Jewish Refugees Memorial (formerly Ohel Moishe Synagogue), Jews in Shanghai also shares the experiences of members of several Toronto Jewish families who lived in Shanghai during that period. “Throughout the Second World War, they lived the Shanghai experience, and their personal stories help bring the exhibition to life,” said Dr Ming Tat Cheung, CCC's Chair and President. He encouraged more of the Shanghai “survivors” in Toronto to take part in the Jews in Shanghai project by telling their stories and showing their artefacts. The seven-week free exhibit is supported by lectures, film presentations, panel discussions and other activities designed to enrich understanding and discussion. Prof Guang Pan, dean of the Centre for Jewish Studies in Shanghai, will come to Toronto in mid-November to talk about his two books “The Jews in Shanghai” and the newly-published “Jews in China.” He will deliver lectures at CCC and universities in Toronto on “The Adventures and survivals in Shanghai: The Jewish Experience” and “Jews in China: Legends, History and Perspectives.”

Dr Feng Shan Ho's daughter, Ms Manli Ho, will also be in town in November to discuss her father's story. Ms Ho is in China at the moment taking part in Dr Ho's 100 anniversary activities. “Over 60 years have passed, but this story of survival is still relevant today,” said Dr Cheung. “It's important for our future generations to learn about the Holocaust and racism. The more we understand, the less likely it is to happen again.” The Jews in Shanghai project is a cross-cultural collaboration of the Jewish and Chinese communities. It is supported by the Consulate General of Israel. Senator Vivienne Poy is the project Honorary Chair.

For further information, please contact CCC's Executive Director, Stephen Siu, at (416)292-9293 ext. 228.