Shake it up in Shanghai !!
JEWS HAVE BEEN reported living in China as far back as the year 960 . They were involved in the silk trade in the Northern Song Dynasty and , according to the Jewish Virtual Library , “ hundreds if not thousands migrated from Persia to Kaifeng .”
During the time of the Holocaust , Jews fled to Shanghai to escape the horrors of the Nazi regime throughout Europe , and the Chinese government accepted 18,000 Jewish refugees . Of the 18,000 , approximately 14,000 lived in the Designated Area for Stateless Refugees , located in Tilanquiao Square , along with other refugees from all over the world .
Today , the Jewish refugees ’ history has been accounted for and presented to the rest of the world at the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum . It houses more than 140 high-quality photographs and a multiscreen projection area showing a short film about the refugees who lived in the area .
Most recently , the Harold Grinspoon Foundation-funded PJ Library program brought attention to the story of the Chinese Jews with a newly published children ’ s book entitled “ Shanghai Sukkah ” written by Heidi Hyde and illustrated by Jing Tsong . The book tells the story of a young boy named Marcus who whose family fled the Holocaust and moved from Berlin to Shanghai . Marcus set out to build a Sukkah in time for the holiday .
This year , the Tucson J and PJ Library of Southern Arizona once again join forces to bring an annual Sukkot celebration to the community . This year ’ s celebration will bring the story of the Shanghai Sukkah to life with a special Chinese evening , complete with Shanghai-inspired snacks , “ green tea ” Sukkah shakes , a special telling of the Shanghai Sukkah by the Shinshinim and dragon dancers from the Chinese Cultural Center . The event takes place on October 20 at 5 p . m . in the Sculpture Garden and is free and open to all .
Shinshinim L ’ Tucson
What is it ?
LEAH AVUNO FROM Kiryat Malachi and Bar Alkaher ( both 18 years of age ) from Shimshit , Israel , are two very talented , intellectual Israelis who just graduated from high school in June . They arrived in Tucson in July to spend 12 months volunteering in our community .
Leah and Bar are part of the Shinshinim program brought to Tucson by Weintraub Israel Center , in conjunction with the Jewish Federation of Southern AZ , Tucson J , Congregation Anshei Israel , Temple Emanu-El , Congregation Chaverim , Congregation Bet Shalom , Hillel , Hebrew High and Tucson Hebrew Academy .
Shinshinim is an acronym for shnat sherut , meaning “ a year of service ”. The " Shinshinim L ’ Tucson " program brings recent high school graduates from Israel to nurture close relationships with their hosts in the Tucson Jewish community and educate them about Israel and its culture .
Their role as volunteers is to personalize Israel for all the kids , teens and adults they meet . With the weekly activities that they do at The J with the ECE kids , SNS group , and all around the community , Leah and Bar bring Israel to every corner by sharing their life stories , family tradition , teaching Israeli culture , conversational Hebrew and so much more . Leah adds , “ Bar and I are the first ShinShinim in Tucson so we had to start a lot of things from scratch . We are working with infants , children , teenagers , students , families and with special needs groups .
During their stay in Tucson , they will be hosted by several local families .
Textile lovers rejoice !
A Palette of Fiber Arts 2016 Biennial Gala
THE TUCSON HANDWEAVERS and Spinners Guild , one of Arizona ’ s largest fiber arts organizations , presents its biennial gala at the Tucson J on Saturday , October 29th from 1 – 6 p . m . A Palette of Fiber Arts 2016 will feature members ’ juried projects in weaving , tapestry , spinning , basketry , felting , knitting , rugs , surface design , wall-hangings , jewelry , wearables and many other forms of fiber craftsmanship .
The event on Oct . 29 includes live demonstrations , the gallery show
My World is Purple , Connie Lopez and a boutique , all of which are free and open to the public . The
highlight of the day will be a reception to showcase “ A Parade of Fiber Fashion ” that will include fiber arts creations as well as wearables .
Tickets prices for the reception are $ 25 per person , includes light refreshments and a no-host bar , and are available at www . thsg . org . All proceeds from A Palette of Fiber Arts 2016 go to support the organization ’ s education and outreach mission in Southern Arizona .
October 2016 | J Life Magazine 9