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Mr. Jin’s family’s burial place (approximate location), Kaifeng, China.
In the city of Kaifeng, in the province of Henan, the Yellow river flows just North of Mr. Jin’s family cemetery. “Kaifeng is also the capital for Jewish history pilgrims in China.” [1] Mr. Jin’s family is laid to rest at one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in China. At the cemetery there is a black marble stela, about three-feet tall, with an engraved menorah on top that reads “The First Monument of Jews,” in both Chinese and English.
Description
Family History
The Jin family dates back 900 years in Kaifeng China as affluent members of Chinese society. The family’s name was changed to Jin sometime around the 14th century to indicate both their identities as Jews and their line of work as Gold workers[2]. This was one of eight family names that Jews could be assigned; the others were Ai, Shi, Gao, Gan, Li, Zhang, and Zhao.[3] Their gradual decrease in money and power came during the nationalist period, which led to the family gradually dispersing from China to Israel.
Current Status
The current Chinese government does not recognize Jews as a minority, although families like Mr. Jin’s family still regularly practice Jewish observances of holidays and abstain from consuming pork. [4, 5]
Sources
[1] Shaland, Irene. 2013. “The Dao Of Being Jewish.” Baltimore Jewish Times 331 (2): 22–.
[2] Shaland, Irene. 2013. “The Dao Of Being Jewish.” Baltimore Jewish Times 331 (2): 22–.
[3] https://dbs.anumuseum.org.il/skn/en/c6/e209006/Place/Kaifeng
[4 ] Shaland, Irene. 2013. “The Dao Of Being Jewish.” Baltimore Jewish Times 331 (2): 22–.
[5] https://dbs.anumuseum.org.il/skn/en/c6/e209006/Place/Kaifeng
Photos courtesy of Irene and Alex Shaland