As Nazi power spread in the 1930’s and Jews in Europe struggled to escape, many countries closed their borders to Jewish refugees. An exception was the international city of Shanghai, China, which required no visa. Thousands of Jews made their way across continents to shelter in Shanghai. Marvin Pinkert, director of the Jewish Museum of Maryland, explains how the early welcome the refugees received … withers after Japan, a Nazi ally, occupies Shanghai. And we meet Jack Jacob, a Pikesville resident who was born in Shanghai--and is now a world ping-pong champion.
For information about the exhibit "Jewish Refugees and Shanghai," and related programs, visit the Jewish Museum of Maryland link.
To read more about Jack Jacobs, visit this link.
CORRECTION NOTE: During the interview, Mr. Pinkert refers to Michael Bloomberg as having been a refugee in Shanghai. The correct reference is Michael Blumenthal, who was Treasury Secretary during the Carter administration.
