Significance of Sports in the Shanghai Jewish Communities
A blog created for Literature of the Holocaust, English/Jewish Studies 434
About this Blog
Upon first looking at the William H. Hannon Library’s Werner Boltenstern Shanghai Photograph and Negative Collection our attention gravitated towards the images of recreation, specifically sports. Interestingly, sports were a very big part of the Jewish identity and allowed the Shanghai Jews an opportunity to retain aspects of their culture regardless of the fact that they were in a foreign land. The images in the collection are a testament to the significance of athletics in the Jewish culture and the community found within sports.
This blog was created by Marc Ruiz, Morgan Cavanaugh, and Jasmin Gomez and is part of the Shanghai Project.
The Importance of Recreational Activity for Jewish refugees
Jewish refugees in Shanghai were determined to be able to survive in a foreign place even though many of them were already psychologically harmed and were not in the best physical health, having already been living in European ghettos. Through solidarity, the community was able to bring themselves back up from despair by making their quarter in Shanghai look like a small German or Austrian city. A Chinese street that was once small and in typical Chinese fashion now looked like a street in Vienna.
“One of the chief factors which made life bearable for refugees was the amount and variety of recreation they could enjoy.”
Emancipation Through Muscles: Finding Meaning Amongst Opposition*
As sports played a large role in the lives of many Jews before the War, it is no surprise that they continued to remain significant in the lives of those who managed to escape Nazi occupied Europe. In his Introduction to Emancipation Through Muscle, Michael Brenner states that, “Many emigrants expressed their longing for home through the familiar ways of playing sports. The nostalgic feelings seemed the more necessary the more exotic their surroundings."
Combating Jewish Stereotypes through Sports
When we think of the Jewish population during the Second World War we tend to reflect on the negatives, and rightfully so. We remember all of those who lost their lives during the reign of the Nazi regime. However, within this period of time there were also instances of great successes within the Jewish community.
Boxing In Shanghai
The first Jewish refugee boxing matches in Shanghai were organized in July of 1939 by a German refugee named Max Buchsbaum, a German amateur boxing champion (Hughes 48). These matches soon turned into great spectacles with crowds quoted to number in the thousands forming to watch up to eight fights per night (ibid). Ringside seating often featured elegant Russians and Europeans who came to watch fighters like Sam Lewko, Kid Ruckenstein and Laco Kohn, fighters who beat top Japanese, French and American fighters (ibid).
These are two different soccer teams on Shanghai soil. Team uniforms were still very imperative so that team mates can identify each other in a match. In the second picture, we see a man holding an accordion which indicates that music was integrated into these tournaments. Based on these photos, soccer tournaments were moments for celebration and happiness as evident in the faces of the refugees.
Top and bottom image from the Werner Boltenstern Shanghai Photograph and Negative Collection
Music played an important role in soccer tournaments. Here we see a man playing accordion with other men walking in a line behind him. This either took place before or after a match, either way the sound of the accordion is met with jubilance by spectators and the like.
Image from the Werner Boltenstern Shanghai Photograph and Negative Collection
In these photos, it is clear that there were many supporters of the soccer tournaments. People filled the stands to see their loved ones, or simply acquaintances, play a match of soccer. Sports brought the refugees of Shanghai together in a safe space where they could socialize and be entertained.
Top and bottom image from the Werner Boltenstern Shanghai Photograph and Negative Collection, Department of Archives and Special Collections, William H. Hannon Library