In the ancient city of Kaifeng, a special group of people was once settled, they were called Kaifeng Jews. The beginning of the story dates back to the Song Dynasty, when Kaifeng was one of the world's bustling cities, attracting merchants, messengers and immigrants from all corners. It was at this time that Jews began to enter China from the northwest, scattered everywhere, but the largest number was in Kaifeng. The various conditions of Kaifeng City seemed to attract them, allowing them to establish their own community here.
This group of Jews brought a unique culture, they spoke Hebrew and adhered to their religious belief, Judaism. In Kaifeng, they built a synagogue to guard their customs and habits. However, unlike Jews in other parts of the world, the Jews of Kaifeng seem to have embarked on a path that could not compete with assimilation.
Over time, although generations of Kaifeng people lived in the city, they gradually lost their Jewish cultural heritage, and the synagogue gradually disappeared, leaving only an inscription that read, "One Blessing Happiness". After liberation, Chinese scholars conducted research on Kaifeng Jews, proving that there was once a Jewish community, but the local Jews seemed to have integrated into the local society and became not much different from the natives of Kaifeng.
However, the turning point in the story came in the 90s of the last century. In 1995, several Kaifeng residents identified themselves as descendants of Jews who longed to immigrate to Israel. They went to the Israeli embassy in Beijing in hopes of support. Israeli embassy personnel had heard of Kaifeng Jews, but they needed more information when confronted with applicants who were not proficient in Hebrew, had limited knowledge of Judaism, and knew little about Israel. Israel's policy is clear that only people with certain religion, language and other conditions can immigrate. These Kaifeng people were ultimately denied the opportunity to travel to Israel.
However, these Kaifeng people did not give up lightly. They contacted Jewish groups in Finland and received support. Finnish Jews helped them apply for tourist visas to travel from Finland to Israel, where they eventually settled. Although they needed to learn and adapt for a long time, master the Hebrew language and believe in Judaism, eventually these Kaifeng people became citizens of Israel.
Israeli law is unique in that it determines Jewish ancestry through matrilineal rather than paternal line. This means that someone like a Chinese tour guide, who marries a Jew and learns Hebrew, qualifies as an Israeli citizen, and her children will also receive this status.
In fact, the origins of Jews are very complex, and Jewish groups in different regions have different characteristics. While Eastern European Jews were known for their aggressiveness, business, and excellence in literature, art, and science, Jews in other regions had a different history and character. In China, however, the Jews of Kaifeng seem to be the only example of assimilation. Although large numbers of Jews were once diaspora throughout China, they eventually integrated into Chinese society, perhaps reflecting a side of national integration.
This story tells us that even during the long period of assimilation, some people still cling to their identities and beliefs, constantly striving to find opportunities to return to their ancestral countries. Their tenacity and perseverance eventually led them to return to Israel and become part of the Jewish people. This story also shows us that the inheritance and preservation of national cultures is essential for the richness of diverse societies, they play an important role in history, and also provide precious cultural heritage for the future.