Jewish immigration to Hong Kong dates back to 1841. Jewish arrivals were already involved in the economy either as colonial representatives or merchants. One of the first synagogues erected in Hong Kong was Ohel Leah[1]. It was named after Leah Sassoon, the mother of Jacob, Edward and Meyer Sassoon. They were amongst the earliest arrivals to Hong Kong. Two influential families that came to Hong Kong in the early 20th century were the Kadoorie and Sassoon families. Both families were given noble titles such as Baron or Knightand had competing ,similar business interests. However, their story and paths were ultimately different in many ways. For example, many members of the Kadoorie family became prisoners at one point in the Stanley Internment Camp in Hong Kong.
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Important historical events in hong kong
Treaty of nanking
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China was forced to open five ports for trade. It was also significant in that it marked during which the Chinese essentially gave up Hong Kong to the British. This was a period that came after the First Opium War. During its nearly 150 year reign, the British crown and its general system of operations had a substantial influence on Hong Kong life; even in present-day Hong Kong. Although Hong Kong was a British colony between the years 1841 and 1997, there was a period of four years (1941-1945) during which the Japanese took control. During these years, many people seen as enemies were imprisoned; among them Lawrence Kadoorie. Finally, both the Kadoorie and the Sassoon families helped ten's of thousands of Jews secure a safe haven in Shanghai during the Holocaust[2].
First opium war
This is was a war which essentially turn Hong Kong over to British control through their victory in 1842, allowed for free British trade with any merchants within China. It also put China in a position where they had to pay damages for the destroyed Opium.
British influence on hong kong
While the United Kingdom officially handed over Hong Kong to China on July 1, 1997, there are many lasting marks on both Hong and it's people. Today, Hong Kong is officially part of " One Country Two Systems"; meaning that Hong Kong is part of China but can operate under its own rules and regulations[3]. Some important differences between Hong and the rest of the The People's Republic of China are:
- Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly - These are both allowed in present-day Hong Kong in contrast to China where there are certain limitations on both of these.[4]
- Government - Hong Kong operates on a Chief Executive/ Executive Council system. The Chief Executive is tasked with signing bills, setting out the budget for the year, as well as other important items. The council essentially acts as advisors to the Chief Executive. Hong Kong utilizes a This is in contrast to the Chinese main governing body; a one-party authoritarian party controlled by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party). Finally, in Hong Kong there is a legislative council and independent Judiciary council that run in conjunction with one another. [3]
- Left Hand Traffic (LHT) - Hong Kong resident's drive using the LHT system. While the rest of China drives on the right side of road, in Hong Kong people drive on the left side of the road.
- Educational System - Both Hong Kong and the United Kingdom have a three-tiered system consisting of: primary School, secondary school and university. In both Hong Kong and the United Kingdom education is free and also mandatory for primary through junior secondary school.
Notable hong kong residents
See also Mariculture
While there were many influential residents of Hong Kong several Jewish immigrants not only stood out but also laid what would become financial and cultural foundations for Hong Kong. They included but were not limited to:
- Sir Henry Pottinger (1789-1856) - He was the first Governor of Hong Kong under British rule and also the first to apply a British system of government.
- Teresa Teng (1953-1995) - Born in Taiwan, she lived in Hong Kong for more than 20 years and went on to become one of Asia's most famous singers. As far as the music scene in Hong Kong, she became one of it's superstars after moving there in 1971. She sang in Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese and English. Some of here biggest fan bases were and still are, in Taiwan and China.
Notable hong kong jews
- Lawrence Kadoorie, Baron Kadoorie (1899-1993) - He helped to establish the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Loan Fund. One of the main purposes of these loans was to help farmers grow. The primary purpose was to help farmers, fish operators and mariculturists. The initial money put into this fund was the 1955 equivalent of $500,000.00 . Currently, the fund operates under the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
- Eli Kadoorie (1867-1944) - Born in Baghdad, Iraq, he was an important and key figured in laying the groundwork for what would become a major financial and cultural empire in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Before moving to Shanghai, Eli lived in Bombay and was the employee of the Sassoon family. Their company David Sassoon and Sons He had three sons, all of whom were born in Hong Kong; Sir Lawrence Kadoorie, Victor Kadoorie and Sir Horace Kadoorie. While much of the Kadoorie family fortune was ultimately made in Hotels and real estate, they were also initially involved in business such as banking and rubber plantations.[5]
- David Sassoon (1792-1864)- Also born in Baghdad, Iraq, David was highly regarded within Iraq. He was appointed the treasurer of the city at one point. Later on, due to persecution, he had to flee Baghdad and went to Persia, then Bombay ( current-day Mumbai) and finally. He established himself as a successful international trader of valuable commodities. These included but were not limited to pearls, spices and textiles. One valuable but infamous item that traded between Bombay and England was - then legal - opium.
David Sassoon, Portrait c. 1901
Current-day jewish-founded hong kong institutions
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While there are many Institutions that both the Kadoorie and Sassoon families supported and helped fund a few examples within Hong Kong include:
- Kadoorie Agricultural High School - While it's located in the Lower Galilee, Israel Founded in 1933 it's main purpose is to educate the best of the best students and prepare them for studies overseas. It was considered one of the top schools at the time of the British mandate. At the time it was for boys only[6].
- Sir Ellis Kadoorie Secondary School - According toe the school's mission the main purpose is to " cultivate a new generation of humanitarian aid workers" , habits of life lo.ng learning, and to educate children of South Asian descent to be more involved in humanitarian work[7].
- Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) - A very large farm and garden ( 148 hectares) originally founded in 1956. it was meant to help farmers become independent while simultaneously providing aid to those farmers. Within the gardens is a wildlife animal rescue center (WARC). A center that's aimed at helping preserve rare, exotic and also endangered wildlife.[8]
- The Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong - The Kadoorie family created, owned and operated the Peninsula brand of hotels. They incorporated it into their already existing business, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels brand of hotels . The hotel was built in 1928.
Explore more about jewish emigration to hong kong
- Exploring the Kadoorie family surname project dashboard on Geni.
- Sir Henry Pottinger project dashboard on Geni.
- Hong Kong - top ethnicities record collection at MyHeritage.
- Hong Kong - Genealogy, Vital Records record collection at MyHeritage.
- Sassoon family surname on the MyHeritage site.
- Lawrence Kadoorie record collection at MyHeritage.
References
- ↑ Ohel Leah. Synagogues360
- ↑ Book Review: The Last Kings of Shanghai: The Rival Jewish Dynasties That Helped Create Modern China. Union for Reform Judaism
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Hong Kong: How is it run, and what is the Basic Law? BBC
- ↑ One Country Two Systems
- ↑ Eleazar Silas Kadoorie at Geni
- ↑ אודות הכפר
- ↑ Sir Ellis Kadoorie Seconday School website
- ↑ About KFBG
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