Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, Shanghai

The Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum is a place dedicated to remembering the Jewish people who sought refuge in Shanghai during World War II to escape the Holocaust in Europe. Situated in the Tilanqiao Historic Area of the Hongkou district in Shanghai, China, it occupies the former Ohel Moshe or Moishe Synagogue. This museum showcases various materials such as documents, photographs, films, and personal belongings, shedding light on the lives of over 20,000 Jewish residents who lived in what was known as the Shanghai Ghetto during the Japanese occupation of the city.

The museum includes the Ohel Moshe Synagogue building, two exhibition halls, and a courtyard. The synagogue section displays a modest collection of artifacts illustrating the experiences of Jewish refugees in Shanghai during the Holocaust era. Notably, there's an exhibit dedicated to Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi, the Chief Rabbi of Shanghai, on the second floor. Although the synagogue retains elements like the Torah ark and reader's platform, it lacks a Torah scroll or prayer books, meaning it can't be used for religious services.

The No. 2 Exhibition Hall, established in 2007, showcases over 140 historical photographs and various artifacts, including artworks, passports belonging to refugees, copies of the Shanghai Jewish Chronicle, and a stone tablet inscribed with the words of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin during his visit to Shanghai. Additionally, this hall screens a documentary film about the refugee experience. The No. 3 Exhibition Hall, opened in May 2008, hosts temporary exhibits.

In September 2014, a significant addition to the museum was made: a 34-meter long copper memorial wall bearing the names of 13,732 Jewish refugees who found sanctuary in China during World War II.