New | China’s ‘lost Jews’ discover their faith
Jewish community in central China seeks return to its religious roots
Several hundred residents in the central Chinese Province of Henan, who believe they are descendants of Jewish traders, will celebrate the ritual Passover feast next week as they rediscover their ancient roots.
The celebration reflects a growing interest in practising Jewish faith among the community, where a few years ago none spoke a word of Hebrew or knew why family tradition made pork consumption taboo.
“I knew I was a Jew, but I didn’t know what that meant,” said Esther Guo, a resident of the former imperial capital Kaifeng, who says she is a descendant of Jewish settlers. Guo said she was the first generation in the family to rediscover and practice her ancestors’ religion.
First records of Jews settling in Kaifeng date to the Northern Song dynasty. From the 10th to the 12th century, the imperial capital served as a trade hub linking the empire with the Silk Road.
“The emperor allowed 17 clans of merchants to settle in the city as traders,” said Liu Bailu, a professor at the Jewish Cultural Studies Centre at Henan University in Kaifeng. “Some estimate that more than 500 Jewish families settled in the city.”