Over Ten Former Jewish Refugees of WWⅡReunite in Rockefeller Centre

In the afternoon of September 19, a weeklong city image promotion for Shanghai — “Charming Shanghai” — takes place in Rockefeller Centre of New York. It consists of three parts which includes the picture show “Shanghai over the Past Century”, the exhibition “The Jews and Shanghai” and the Contemporary Shanghai-style Chinese Painting Exhibition. 

This promotion is co-hosted by the Information Office of Shanghai Municipality, Shanghai International Culture Association, American and Asian Culture Media Group, Hongkou District People’s Government and Tishman Speyer Company. Rockefeller Centre, the venue of this activity, is known as the “historic landmark of America” and rated as the world’s top-level economic, financial and commercial distributing centre, with an average passenger flow of over 350,000 every day. A large number of citizens and tourists have been attracted by the seven days’ promotion.

As part of the promotion program, the exhibition “The Jews and Shanghai”, organized by Hongkou District People’s Government and Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, represents the life experiences and the touching stories of 16 Jewish refugees during their asylum in Shanghai. On the day of the opening ceremony, the heroes in the stories — more than 10 former Jewish refugees along with their progenies, are invited to the exhibition. As they recall that period of history they have lived through, a multitude of feelings surge up in their minds.

A Centenarian Witness

Rose Girone

101-year-old Rose is the eldest among the visitors. In 1939, she, along with her husband and their 6-month-old daughter, left German for Shanghai to seek asylum, and lived in Tilanqiao area of Hongkou for 8 years. 70 years later, silver-haired Rose and her daughter Reha, as experiencers and witnesses of that history, become the focus of everyone’s attention as soon as they show up in the opening ceremony. In the interview, Rose and Reha recall their “roots-seeking” journey back in Shanghai in 1988. During the visit to their former residence in a lane of Hongkou, they were deeply touched by the warm welcome and great hospitality of the residents in the lane. However, it was until their return to America that they realized, instead of residence No.13 which they had visited, the No. 15 was actually where they used to live. “So we have to go back again!” says the centenarian lady in high spirits. Reha looks at her mother with joy and smiles, “We really need to go back and take another look.” With regards to the experience as refugee in Shanghai, Reha says, “I am really grateful! If Shanghai had not accepted us at that time, it would be impossible for me to be here today. I also feel extremely lucky to have such a strong-minded mother who managed to earn a living in great adversity. She accepts the hardship of life without rancor, just as the Americans put it, she is able to adapt herself to the environment, and I hope I have already learnt it from her.” By this time, Rose sitting beside her banters, “So far, you have been a good learner!” The interaction between Reha and her mother Rose is heartwarming, with Reha’s husband quietly waiting beside them, which, like an enjoyable and joyful picture, touches our heartstrings.