>> ... Next Generation ...

Destination Shanghai

JDC conference in China emphasizes
need for global Jewish outreach.

I

recently had the opportunity to travel to China with the American
Ohel Rachel Synagogue, the other synagogue, is only open to the
Jewish Joint Distribution Committee young professionals
public on a limited number of days each year (Rosh Hashanah, Yom
group Entwine. JDC, or the "Joint," is the world's leading
Kippur and Yom HaShoah) because it is a government building and not a
Jewish humanitarian assistance organization. Detroit's own
traditional working synagogue.
Penny Blumenstein is the current president. Entwine encompasses
It was interesting to be in Shanghai for Yom HaShoah, Holocaust
young Jewish leaders, influencers and advocates who seek to make
Memorial Day. In addition, to our 200 Destination Shanghai participants,
a meaningful impact on global Jewish needs and international
there were hundreds of people who joined the service at Ohel Rachel
humanitarian issues.
Synagogue for Yom HaShoah. There is a lot of philo-Semitism in China,
While JDC may be known best for caring for the aging population in
a huge positive opinion of being Jewish. Even with philo-Semitism, it is
the former Soviet Union or coordinating Operation Moses, the largest
difficult to understand that you cannot openly practice your religion in
Kelli
covert evacuation of Ethiopian Jews to Israel, it impacts millions of
your local synagogue but three times a year.
Saperstein
lives in more than 70 countries.
This is what makes JDC's work so important. The Jews living in China
Special to the
The need in China can be summarized as follows: thousands of
don't need subsidized medicines as did the Jews in the former Soviet
Jewish News
transient young professional Jews living in Communist China where
Union, or to be evacuated from slavery and forced baptism as the
Judaism is not a recognized religion. These individuals are spending
Jews in Ethiopia. JDC recognizes that the Jews living in China need an
a formative period of their lives in an area where it is difficult for them to gain
opportunity for a vibrant Jewish life and to be able to connect with others who
exposure to Jewish community and Jewish identity.
have similar interests.
JDC, along with Limmud, an international organization based in the UK
What does the mean for Detroit? Part of the Federation's budget is allocated
working to foster Jewish community and identity, hosted Destination Shanghai,
to JDC as an overseas partner. During the economic and financial crisis of 2007-
a conference geared to bringing together young Jews all throughout East Asia.
2009, the Federations of many other cities significantly reduced or eliminated their
Enwtine's role was to help facilitate networking, education and community
allocation to JDC. The Detroit Federation maintained its allocation to JDC during
building during this conference.
this most difficult time. This is because Detroit knows that, as Jews, we are part of
As part of Destination Shanghai, we were able to tour the city and learn about
a global Jewish community with a responsibility to care for others.
China's relationship with the Jews. There are two synagogues in Shanghai. Ohel
So now when I'm preparing for the Shabbat dinner I host monthly at my home
Moshe Synagogue is a government-run museum dedicated to the Jewish refugees
in West Bloomfield, I can ask Rachel in Shanghai about that kugel recipe she gave
of the Hongkou ghetto. Between 1937 and 1941, Shanghai received more than
me. Or I can brainstorm about recruitment for TribeFest, Federation's national
25,000 Jewish refugees from Eastern Europe. This number of Jewish refugees was
conference, with Jonathan in London who is on the Limmud executive board.
equal to the total taken in by Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India and South
Our world is really becoming smaller, and we should find strength in being a
Africa.
part of a global Jewish community. ❑

Ted Plafker, foreign

correspondent for

The Economist, and

the author

Kelli Saperstein and Roberta

Lipson, president of United
Family Healthcare (private
hospitals in Beijing) and
founder of Kehillat (Beijing's
Reform movement)

34

May 9 • 2013

