Introduction:
The Ohel Moishe Synagogue was established in 1907 to serve the Russian Jewish community that flourished in Shanghai. Newly renovated and re-opened to the public in 2008, it now serves as the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum.
Location:
The synagogue/museum is located at 62 Changyang Road in Shanghai's historic Hongkou (pronounced "hong koh") district that sits north of the Bund and Suzhou Creek.
See a google map of the area.
Features:
The site encompasses the former synagogue as well as a small art gallery and introduction video that explains a little about the history of the Jews in Shanghai.
The synagogue itself lacks religious decoration and is not a functioning place of worship anymore. But restorers did their best to make it look like the building where Russian Jews and then European Jewish refugees worshiped until the end of the Second World War.
Getting There:
Currently only Metro Line 4 has stops near by at Dalian Road and Yangshupu Roads. It's best to take a taxi.
Essentials:
- Admission fee: 50rmb, less for students with ID and free for children.
- Opening hours: daily 9am-5pm.
- How much time to spend? 1 hour (max).
Tips:
Unfortunately, the museum is not as rich as it could be given the sheer history of the Jewish community in Shanghai. While members of the community are actively working with the Shanghai Municipal Government to enrich the education about Shanghai's Jewish heritage, the museum itself under-delivers.
The best thing to do is a walking tour of the area with the Shanghai Jews organization. Spend half a day on a guided tour of the Hongkou District and you'll learn the fascinating history of the Jewish community in Shanghai.
