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Chinese Studies

Jews and Judaism in Modern China: A Compilation of Essays on the Modern Dynamics between Ancient Civilizations (Due 2006)
Editor, M. Avrum Ehrlich

This book brings together writings from some of the most important thinkers and scholars on the subject of Judaism and China with the intention to illuminate the areas of modern cooperation and interest between two of the oldest civilizations on earth.

  • A Survey of Jews and Jewish Communities in China
  • Jewish organizations and their relationship with China.
  • Stereotype vs Reality: Understanding the Chinese Fascination with Jews
  • A Modern Chinese – Jewish Dialogue
  • Judaism and Confucianism
  • Where Jewish and Chinese Philosophy Meet
  • The Contemporary circumstances of the Descendants of the Jews of Kaifeng.
  • The Descendants of the Jews of Kaifeng and New Documents.
  • The Present Relationship between China and Israel
  • Obstacles on the Road to Cooperation
  • Chinese Policy Towards Judaism and Jewish Nationality.
  • The Development of Jewish Studies in China.
  • The phenomena of Jewish tourism to China.
  • Jews and Judaism on the Chinese Internet since 2002.
  • Chinese Christianity, Biblical interpretation and its relationship to Judaism and Israel.
  • Chinese Tourism to Israel
  • Shanghai and Jewish Modernity
  • The transformation of Jewish Shanghai as witnessed by a Jewish Expatriate.

Article
Exploring the Possibilities for A Chinese- Jewish Socio Intellectual Exchange
M. Avrum Ehrlich

The paper explores potential contribution of Jewish Studies to China. It tries to provide a practical and ‘doctrinal’ framework for the burgeoning of Jewish scholarship and Jewish intellectual and cultural studies in one of the few non Biblically influenced countries of the world. In addition it presents observations why Jewish civilization is not just one of the many subjects and cultures useful in broadening China’s horizons, but is unique and especially helpful for the specific conditions that China finds itself in. I argue why the study of Judaism can serve an invaluable and instructive role in Chinese nation building as well as in China’s cultural and intellectual endeavors, beyond the usefulness of other intellectual, religious and cultural vehicles.

The exchange, however, is both ways, and the article discusses how Chinese civilization is instructive to the specific difficulties facing Judaism and the State of Israel.

 

Article
A Philosopher’s Observations of Modern China
M. Avrum Ehrlich

In this paper I discuss issues such as the one child policy, the emergence of new models of social organization, the bold attempts at social engineering, the magnificent rise of China as an economic power, aspects of Chinese thinking and mentality, the emergence of a new and vibrant interpretation of socialism which competes with the sole remaining super power and the models of governance that are popular in the West.