Five women in their 20s from the Chinese Jewish community of Kaifeng arrived in Israel on Feb. 29. They intend to undergo formal conversion and become Israeli citizens.
“After centuries of assimilation, a growing number of the Kaifeng Jews have begun seeking to return to their roots and embrace their Jewish identity,” said Michael Freund, chairman of Shavei Israel, which seeks to strengthen ties to the descendants of Jews in communities around the world.
The Kaifeng Jewish community is believed to have been founded by Iraqi or Persian Jewish merchants in the eighth or ninth century. At its peak, the community may have numbered up to 5,000 people. Today, the community claims 500 to 1,000 members. Seven young men from Kaifeng made aliyah in 2009 with the help of Shavei Israel. — jta