As part of the yearlong Shanghai Celebration, a number of Jewish-themed events are coming up. For more information about these events, and for further details about the full Shanghai Celebration, visit www.shanghaicelebration.com.
• “Jews in Modern China” runs now through May 16.
Photos and documents (including memorabilia from Bay Area families) depict the experiences of Sephardic, Russian and European Jews who settled in China over a 100-year period. Free. At the Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Ave., S.F. More information: (415) 777-3820 or [email protected].
An opening reception at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, will include a viewing of the exhibit and a discussion featuring professor Pan Guang of Shanghai’s Center for Jewish Studies. Sponsored by the San Francisco office of the American Jewish Committee and the Asia Society of Northern California. $50.
• “Shanghai’s Jews — Art, Architecture and Survival” on Thursday, March 4.
A discussion about the Jews in Shanghai will cover art, architecture, survival and other aspects of their experience. 7 p.m. at the Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission Street, S.F. $5 includes access to all galleries. More information: www.thecjm.org or (415) 655-7800.
• ”Remembering Rena” on March 7.
A program honoring the late Rena Krasno, a Shanghai-born Russian Jew who documented the Jewish experience in China. 2-4 p.m. at the Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Ave., S.F. Free. More information: www.ajcsanfrancisco.org/china or (415) 751-2535.
• “A Young Man in Shanghai: Troubles and Triumphs” on March 10.
Audrey Friedman Marcus discusses the Shanghai experiences of her late husband, Fred Marcus, whose diary was recently published. 7-9 p.m. at the Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Ave., S.F. Free. More information: www.ajcsanfrancisco.org/china or (415) 751-2535.
• ”Founders of the Shanghai Jewish Community: The Sephardic Story” on March 14.
Shanghai-born Leah Jacob Garrick discusses the history and legacy of Sephardic families who shaped Shanghai’s business world and architecture. 2 p.m. at the Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Ave., S.F. Free. More information: www.ajcsanfrancisco.org/china or (415) 751-2535.
Note: Another program led by Garrick (on the migration of Iraqi, Russian and European Jews to Shanghai from the 1840s to the 1930s) is slated for 6:30 p.m. April 15 at the Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St., S.F. Free with museum admission. More information: [email protected] or (415) 581-3701.
• “Jews in Modern China: Personal Stories and Reminiscences” on March 21.
Bay Area residents, representative of the Jewish communities that settled in China, speak about living there. Presented by Lehrhaus Judaica and co-sponsored by the AJC San Francisco office. 4-6 p.m. at Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley. More information: www.lehrhaus.org or (510) 845-6420.
Note: Repeats 7-9 p.m. April 29 at the Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Ave., S.F.
• Three Jewish-oriented films have been included in the celebration’s “Shanghai Film Series.”
“The Port of Last Resort,” a tale of Jewish refugees in 1920s Shanghai, is told by former refugees and through rare home movies, newsreels and propaganda films. 79 minutes. May 2, 2:30 p.m.
“A Place to Save Your Life” is about Jews living in Japanese-occupied China. 52 minutes, in English. June 6 at 11 a.m.
“Shanghai Ghetto” a 95-minute documentary narrated by Martin Landau, with English subtitles. June 6 at 2 p.m.
All three will screen at the Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St., S.F. Free, as part of Target First Free Sunday promotion. More information: www.asianart.org or (415) 581-3500.