Legends of the Chinese Jews of Kaifeng [Hardcover]

Xin Xu (Author), Beverly Friend (Author), Ting Cheng (Illustrator), Cheng Ting (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1995

A collection of legends and stories from the oral tradition of this group of Jews who migrated to China long ago offers a look at their history and unique identity.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 6 Up-The anti-Semitic fervor of 11th-century Crusaders drove a community of Jews from their home on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, in what is now Turkey. They eventually settled in Kaifeng, then the capital of China under the Song Dynasty. There they built a synagogue in 1163, and maintained their cultural and religious identity into the 19th century. By the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Kaifeng Jews reached a population peak of 5000. Using oral histories collected in China, the authors distill 900 years of memory into 20 chronological stories about major events in the life of the community. Unfortunately, they are better historians than storytellers. Invented dialogue is transparently written to convey factual information, not to delineate character. The narration is clear but dry, lacking the drama and specific details needed to bring a story to life. Handsome full-color illustrations embellish each chapter. Libraries with extensive collections in Jewish or Chinese history will want this title, but the writing style isn't compelling enough to interest general readers in this fascinating, but obscure, footnote to history.-Margaret A. Chang, North Adams State College, MA

Copyright 1995 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 140 pages
• Publisher: Ktav Pub Inc; First Edition edition (September 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881255289
• ISBN-13: 978-0881255287
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,147,183 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic representation., July 22, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Calabasas, California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Legends of the Chinese Jews of Kaifeng (Hardcover)

I am a docent at the Skirball Museum, Los Angeles where one of the remaining "Tiq's" of the synagogue in Kaifeng is displayed. We have had many lectures by visitors who are both residents of Kaifeng and experts in the history of the Jewish Community there.

The book paints an excellent picture of the history of a people, cut off from outside world contacts for 500+ years but still able to maintain their strict Jewish values.

One story that is not told is that, when the word got back to Europe, many years later, that the Missionary Matteo Ricci had found Jews in China Oliver Cromwell, the pretender to the throne of England, allowed the Jews to resettle in that country after being exiled in 1290CE. The re-addmission was done without an Act of Parliament. Cromwell was aware fof the prophesy in the bible which states that the messiah cannot come/return ubtil the Jews are scattered to all the countries of the earth.

The Kaifeng community had a Rabbi until 18! 50CE and the names given to them by the emperor are still used, very few are aware of their Jewish Heritage.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful and fascinating, October 12, 2005

By 

D. Goodpasture (USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Legends of the Chinese Jews of Kaifeng (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It came yesterday and I was up late last night finishing it. It is a mixture of history and legend about how a community of persecuted Jews in Turkey, more than a millennia ago packed up and moved to Kaifeng, China, the ancient capital in Henan province, because it had a reputation for being very tolerant. Amazingly, this community manages to survive in isolation up until the early 20th century even though they take on Chinese names, win converts, and eventually become ethnically Chinese.

Unfortunately, there is no photo of this book. The illustrations are wonderful. It is a large thin book divided into 20 enhanced historical stories, fairly easy reading about 140 pages. My only complaints/suggestions are that there are no maps detailing the exodus from Turkey and their routes and stops along the Silk Roads. I lived in China for a year and am a bit more familiar with some of the things brought up in the story than the average American; however, I think Xu Xin and Betty Friend should have elaborated on some cultural and historical aspects, maybe provide some worldwide time tables. Also I and my Chinese friends would have enjoyed seeing the actual Chinese characters for many of the Chinese terms. To those unfamiliar, Chinese is a tonal language with a zillion homonyms. Story 14 was a bit confusing and the authors mix the pinyin, alphabetical system, with the older Wade-Giles system when naming some provinces.I would like to get in touch with Xu Xin but unfortunately, there is no website or e-mail provided.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Legends Of Chinese Jews of Kaifeng, November 26, 2002

By 

David Welsh (Calabasas, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Legends of the Chinese Jews of Kaifeng (Hardcover)

This is the ONLY book I have read that paints a lucid picture of this part of Jewish history which is of interest to so few people.
The Journeys of the 12th century traders from Persia, many years before Marco Polo "discovered" China is a fascinating story beautifully told by Professor Xu Xin.