Dear All:
Please join us for this very special event.
On the eve of World War II, over 18,000 Jewish refugees escaped the holocaust in Europe to find refuge in Shanghai. At that time, almost all other countries closed their doors to the Jewish refugees. Shanghai generously gave them refuge.
In 2007, the Hongkou District Government of Shanghai decided to commemorate this unique phase of history shared by the people of Shanghai and the Jewish refugees by opening the Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum. A traveling exhibit from that museum will be on display at Union Station on Friday Oct. 17 and then at the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park for the next three weeks.
Although there was much suffering in Shanghai during those wartime years by both Chinese residents and international refugees from all over the world, Shanghai in the 1930s and early 40s was also a time of great artistic expression. The musical scene was rich and varied. Jazz and western classical music grew in popularity, while Chinese traditional music took on new forms and audiences. The Jewish refugees also added Klezmer and Jewish folk music to the mix.
On Monday, October 20, we will honor the indomitable spirit of the musicians and artists of wartime Shanghai.
Please join us to commemorate this little known chapter in the history of modern China and of the Jewish diaspora.
Come and hear some Chinese music of the 1930s (Tianya genu!), Prokofiev, Klezmer, Jazz, and Yiddish folk music, as well as poetry and stories of wartime Shanghai.
Celebrate the international spirit of friendship that was formed through shared hardship and artistic expression during those years.
Monday, Oct. 20, 2014
7pm reception and viewing of panels from the Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum
7:30 Concert begins
Jewish Community Center
5801 West 115th St.
Overland Park, KS
This event is free and open to the public.
Please let us know you are coming so that we can have an accurate headcount for the reception dimsum.
Call 913-327-8007 or email jillm@jewishkc.org for reservations.
Walk-ins will also be welcomed on a space-available basis.
Information at jcckc.org/jll
If you cannot make it to the concert and still want to see the panels from the Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum, please join us at a
reception and viewing of display from the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum:
Jarvis Hunt Room, Union Station
Friday, Oct. 17, 2014
4pm-6pm
For questions, contact ciku@ku.edu.
Sheree Willis
Executive Director
Confucius Institute of the University of Kansas
12610 Quivira Rd.
University of Kansas Edwards Campus
Overland Park, KS 66213
913-897-8612
Fax: 913-897-8607
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