Over 17,000 Jews found refuge in Shanghai, China during World War II. In this section, interviewees talk about the process of adopting and adjusting to the cultural traits and social patterns in the new country and detail their daily life in China. They describe the living conditions and explain how they were able to maintain their Jewish identity while in Shanghai and in the Hongkew Ghetto, established by the occupying Japanese authorities in 1943.  Jewish as well as secular education, and involvement in the youth Zionist organizations are discussed.  

On July 7, 1937, the Japanese attack Wanping on the outskirts of Beijing, and the second Sino-Japanese War begins. The Japanese quickly take Beijing and capture Tianjin (Tientsin). Savage fighting breaks out in Shanghai on August 13, which falls to Japan by late December. Initially, Japan continues a policy of open immigration to Shanghai. The November Pogrom (November 9, 1938) in Germany dramatically increases the number of German Jews entering Shanghai. Over 1,500 refugees arrive by the end of December 1938, and the number reaches 4,000 three months later.