Sir Michael Kadoorie Visiting Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum

Time:2023/3/28 13:59:07        

On the afternoon of March 27th, 2023, Sir Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of the Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, and his delegation visited Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum. In the 1930s and 1940s, more than 20000 European Jews sought refuge in Shanghai to escape from Nazi persecution. With the support of the Kadoorie family, local Jewish relief organizations in Shanghai were able to provide various types of assistance for Jewish refugees, such as shelter, meals, and basic living necessities.

In order to address the education issues of Jewish refugee children, Sir Michael Kadoorie's uncle,Horace Kadoorie, funded and established the Shanghai Jewish Youth Association School, also known as the Kadoorie School. Many Jewish refugees had studied at the Kadoorie School and received assistance from the Kadoorie family multiple times when they left Shanghai.

Sir Kadoorie was deeply touched when he saw photos of his ancestors, and recalled the scene when the family actively helped Jewish compatriots back then. During the visit, Sir Kadoorie's eyes were filled with tears and he sobbedseveral times. He stated that the stories told by the museum after its expansion were more diverse and infectious. The exhibition at the museum wasof great historical significance, reflecting the goodwill and friendship between the Chinese and Jewish peoples in helping each other.

Sir Kadoorie visited the museum in 2019 and generously donated money to create a new Wall of Names for the museum during its renovation and expansion in 2020.

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