Jewish Models and Modelling Jews: Representations of Jews and Jewishness in the Harbin Jewish Museum

This chapter examines the representation of Jews and Jewishness found in the Harbin Jewish Museum, and connects these representations to the larger discourses about Jews and Jewishness circulating in China. After reviewing the historical context of the Harbin Jewish community and the Harbin Jewish Museum, it examines its main exhibit, which includes photographs and artefacts from the early to mid-20th century, arguing that the collection reflects contemporary Chinese philosemitic discourses about Jews and Jewishness that praise the former Jewish residents for their cultural, educational, and business acumen, which is linked to similar representations found in Chinese self-help literature that promotes qualities conceptualised as being ‘Jewish’. Then, it examines the ideological use of models in Confucianism and the affective use of models during the Maoist period, hypothesising that Jews – although a marginal group – are advanced as models for emulation. Finally, it examines the secondary exhibits, which have been organised by Israeli institutions, arguing that these exhibits use these discourses and thus can be viewed as a form of Israeli public diplomacy and soft power.