Jews in China?

Mon 3 May, 7-9 pm. 4 Community Road, Marblehead, 01945. Sandy Sheckman, Executive Director, 781-631-8330. Jewish Community Center North Shore - [email][events]

Shi Lei to Speak about a Long Forgotten Jewish Community in China Settled 1000 Years Ago Shi Lei, a descendant of one of the original Jewish families believed to have settled in Kaifeng, China during the Song Dynasty between 960 and 1127 CE. Shi Lei will be sharing the story of the Kaifeng community where some 300 descendants of the original Jewish families who settled there are thriving today.

The community was cut off from the rest of the Jewish world until it was discovered by a Jesuit priest in 1605 CE and it remained intact until the 19th century when it disappeared from the Jewish map. Today, this ancient Jewish community is undergoing a remarkable resurgence as many of its younger members are interested in learning about their origins and embracing those traditions. Eighteen of them are now studying in Israel. Shi Lei is a graduate of Henan University in the province of Henan, China and has pursued studies in Jewish history and religion in Israel at Bar-Ilan University and at Machon Meir Yeshiva in Jerusalem. He leads private and group tours to Kaifeng and his current speaking tour is sponsored through the aegis of the nonprofit Kulanu. Shi Lei will give a talk at the Jewish Community Center of the North Shore on May 3 between 7 and 9 p.m. about this ancient Jewish community cut off for hundreds of years. The program is open to all. This event is sponsored by the JCC. Tickets are available for $10 per person in advance and $12 at the door. For more information, call 781-631-8330, visit jccns.org or find the JCCNS on Facebook.