China seeking Jewish book owner
Family from Shanghai trying to locate refugee who fled Nazi-occupied Europe, owned over 2,000 books they have looked after since 1943
VIDEO – A Chinese family from Shanghai is seeking help to locate the Jewish owner of over 2,000 books they have looked after since 1943.
The books were sealed up in 1993, and after being opened recently, still remain in good condition. They are an important reminder of how some 23,000 Jewish refugees fled Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II to live in Shanghai over 70 years ago.
The Lin family made the plea after being forced to move out of their home due to the local area being demolished.
Video courtesy of jn1.tv
School principal Lin Daozhi was originally entrusted to look after the books, but died in 1981. Since then, other members of his family have preserved the books in their small home.
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"Life was hard at the time, but the Chinese people helped the Jewish refugees as much as possible and the two nations built up close bonds and a deep trust," says Chen Jian, director of the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum.
The books are temporarily being held in a local library. In the meantime, the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum has contacted the German Consulate-General in Shanghai to help locate the owner's family.
The Israeli Embassy has also offered its help towards ensuring that history is not forgotten.
