Welcome

The Sino-Judaic Institute (SJI) is a  non-denominational, non-political, and non-profit organization founded in 1985 by a group of international scholars and lay persons for the purpose of promoting understanding between Chinese and Jewish peoples, and to encourage and develop their cooperation in matters of mutual historic and cultural interest.

To achieve the overarching mission of fostering friendship and understanding between the Chinese and the Jewish people, whose histories have been intertwined for centuries, SJI supports and promotes the following programs:

RESEARCH

SJI actively promotes collaborative research between Chinese and Western scholars and students in the areas of Jewish Studies and Chinese Studies around the world. It supports both Chinese and Western scholarship on the study of the ancient Jewish community of Kaifeng, where Jews have been living for over a millennium, and on the later Jewish communities of Shanghai, Harbin, and Tianjin. It supports individual Chinese scholars in their research, which is shared more broadly through academic publications, university courses, and research institutes in China. Joint research between American, Israeli, and Chinese academics are also supported.

GRANTS

SJI provides grants to scholars, authors, filmmakers, graduate students, and others engaged in the study of Jewish life in China and elsewhere in Asia. It has provided partial or full support to dozens of people since 1985 who have gone on to publish articles and books, produce documentaries, develop college courses, and otherwise expand the scope of Sino-Judaic studies.

JEWISH STUDIES IN CHINA

SJI has promoted the establishment of Jewish Studies programs in China so that a deep understanding of Jewish life and history can be shared with the Chinese people. As a direct result, Judaic Studies programs and research centers have been established in China, including the Center of Jewish Studies in Shanghai and the Institute for Jewish and Israel Studies at Nanjing University. 

STRENGTHENING CONNECTIONS
Since 1985, SJI has assisted the Kaifeng Jewish descendants in reconnecting with their cultural heritage. SJI also actively engages with the contemporary Jewish communities throughout China on matters of mutual interest.