Ep. 112 | The Kaifeng Jews
This week we look at a topic many have heard about but aren’t familiar with the details. We look at the early origins of the Jewish people in China and the time of the settlement in Kaifeng, Henan.
Although you’d be hard-pressed to find a minyan amongst the native Jews in Kaifeng today, there are efforts being made to revive Judaism in that ancient city. It’s an interesting story that spans a millennium and offers a look at Chinese history from another angle.
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Terms in Episode
| Pinyin/Term | Chinese | English/Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ai Tian | 艾田 | Chinese Jew from Kaifeng who met Matteo Ricci in 1605 |
| Ai, Shi, Gao, Jin, Li, Zhang, Zhao | 艾，石，高，金，李，张， 赵 | The seven surnames granted to the Jews of Kaifeng by the Ming emperor |
| Bianliang | 汴梁 | Ancient name of the the city of Kaifeng |
| Fuchai | 夫差 | King of Wu State credited with the building of the Han Gou |
| Gaige kaifang | 改革开放 | Reform and opening up to the outside world |
| Han Gou | 邗沟 | The Han Canal |
| Han Guangwu | 汉光武 | Founder of Eastern Han Dynasty |
| Han Wudi | 汉武帝 | Long reigning Han emperor on the throne during the time of Zhang Qian |
| Harbin | 哈尔滨 | City in Manchuria, Heilongjiang province |
| Henan | 河南 | Province in China |
| Hui | 回 | The Muslim race in China |
| Jin Zhong Bao Guo | 尽忠报国 | Serve the country with the greatest loyalty, words tattooed on Yue Fei’s back |
| Kaifeng | 开封 | Ancient city in Henan |
| Li Madou | 利玛窦 | Matteo Ricci |
| Li Zicheng | 李自成 | Rebel who contributed to the downfall of the Ming dynasty |
| Luoyang | 洛阳 | Ancient city in Henan just west of Zhengzhou |
| Qin Guan | 秦观 | Song Dynasty poet, considered one of the best |
| Quanzhou | 泉州 | Ancient port city in Fujian |
| Sanmenxia | 三门峡 | Ancient city in Henan just west of Luoyang |
| Shaanxi | 陕西 | Ancient city in Shaanxi, just west of Weinan |
| Sui Yangdi | 隋炀帝 | Sui emperor credited with building the Grand Canal |
| Tang Dezong | 唐德宗 | Tang Emperor who granted permission to Jews to build a synagogue in Bianliang |
| Tiaojinjiao | 挑筋教 | The religion that removes the tendons, what Chinese called Judaism |
| Wanli Emperor | 万历帝 | Long reigning Ming Dynasty emperor |
| Weinan | 渭南 | Ancient city in Shaanxi just west of Sanmenxia |
| Xifan | 稀饭 | Rice porridge or gruel |
| Xinjiang | 新疆 | Formerly known as Chinese Turkestan |
| Yangzhou | 扬州 | Historic commercially rich city in Jiangsu |
| Yue Fei | 岳飞 | Southern Song dynasty general wrongfully accused of treason |
| Zhang Qian | 张骞 | Han dynasty explorer who journeyed west in the 2nd century BC |
| Zhengzhou | 郑州 | Ancient city in Henan, just west of Kaifeng |
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