Echoes of Harbin

Dan Ben-Canaan is professor emeritus of research and academic writing methodologies at Heilongjiang University School of Western Studies and Northeast Forestry University School of Postgraduate Studies and founder of the Sino-Israel Research and Study Center in Harbin.

• Part One - GenesisPrefaceChapter 1. Space and TimePart Two – Little Big BoxesChapter 2. StreetsChapter 3. BuildingsChapter 4. The Harbin Censuses: Population – Employment – Politics and ManipulationPart Three - JourneysChapter 5. Chronology of Jewish Life in Harbin 1898-1985Chapter 6. Jewish Culture in HarbinChapter 7. The SynagoguesChapter 8. Music, Theatre, Arts, Literature, and FilmsChapter 9. A Quest for a Peaceful Resting PlaceChapter 10. Harbin’s UnderworldChapter 11. Neighbors

While much international attention has been focused in recent years on China’s northwest (Xinjiang and the Uyghurs), the study of modern northeast China, which was a considerably more important historical and strategic arena, has been somewhat marginalized. Focusing on Harbin, this volume provides a vertical and horizontal analysis of northeast China since the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, within the context of contemporary international events, while covering the lives and interrelations of the regional ethnic and religious communities, underlying the role of Jews, in comprehensive, virtually encyclopedic, details never discussed before, let alone in one volume. As such, it is an outstanding lifelong achievement.