China-Rezeption der jüdischen Emigranten in Shanghai am Beispiel von Kurt Lewin und Willy Tonn

Abstract

Abstract This article explores the social-cultural, but little-known phenomenon based on German-language Shanghai Jewish exile publications: In the 1930s and 40s, these Jewish intellectuals, such as Kurt Lewin and Willy Tonn, fascinated by the Chinese culture, not only “studied” the enduring cultural essence of Chinese civilization that has survived and thrived for thousands of years, but they also “thought” about the common oriental virtues between Chinese and Jewish culture, to encourage the Jews in the Diaspora to bravely find the spiritual salvation, with a firm conviction that their culture will never die out in spite of a devastating blow by the Nazis.