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Shanghai ghetto: Wartime refuge for Jewish refugees

Updated 11:21 PM EDT, Mon July 20, 2015
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chinese schindler ho crop
manli ho collection
A Shanghai visa signed by Ho Feng Shan with a serial number of 3639.  Ho issued visas to Shanghai so that Jews could use the city as a conduit to escape to other places.<br />
A Shanghai visa signed by Ho Feng Shan with a serial number of 3639. Ho issued visas to Shanghai so that Jews could use the city as a conduit to escape to other places.
Manli Ho Collection
Known as "Little Vienna" for its cafes, shops and nightclubs, this street was the commercial center of the Jewish ghetto, which was often described as the "Hongkou" or "Hongkew" ghetto.
Known as "Little Vienna" for its cafes, shops and nightclubs, this street was the commercial center of the Jewish ghetto, which was often described as the "Hongkou" or "Hongkew" ghetto.
Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum
The front and back of a refugee pass. Each refugee living in the ghetto needed to present this pass to get in or out of the ghetto, which was controlled by the Japanese army occupying Shanghai at the time.
The front and back of a refugee pass. Each refugee living in the ghetto needed to present this pass to get in or out of the ghetto, which was controlled by the Japanese army occupying Shanghai at the time.
Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum
The Roy Roof Garden Restaurant in the Jewish ghetto.  It was common for the Austrian and German Jews at the time to have afternoon tea every day, according to the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum.
The Roy Roof Garden Restaurant in the Jewish ghetto. It was common for the Austrian and German Jews at the time to have afternoon tea every day, according to the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum.
Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum
Food being served for Jewish refugees that had just arrived Shanghai.  Many Jewish charity organizations provided aid to the refugees to help them survive.
Food being served for Jewish refugees that had just arrived Shanghai. Many Jewish charity organizations provided aid to the refugees to help them survive.
Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum
A map of the ghetto. Around one square mile, the area was home to around 25,000 Jews and 100,000 Shanghai locals.
A map of the ghetto. Around one square mile, the area was home to around 25,000 Jews and 100,000 Shanghai locals.
Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum
A Jewish refugee member of the "Pao Chia" -- a self-policing group that was organized by the Japanese in 1942 to guard the ghetto.
A Jewish refugee member of the "Pao Chia" -- a self-policing group that was organized by the Japanese in 1942 to guard the ghetto.
Courtesy Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum
Refugees moving to the ghetto in spring 1943
Refugees moving to the ghetto in spring 1943
Courtesy Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum
The interior of a Jewish refugee family's house. Although Shanghai proved a safe haven for the Jewish refugees, they often lived in cramped conditions.
The interior of a Jewish refugee family's house. Although Shanghai proved a safe haven for the Jewish refugees, they often lived in cramped conditions.
Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum
An alley in the Jewish ghetto. Many of the refugees lived in such alleys.
An alley in the Jewish ghetto. Many of the refugees lived in such alleys.
Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum
A woman walks through Shanghai's former Jewish ghetto on May 7, 2013. Today, there are few remnants of its Jewish history although organizations like the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fchrlawyers.hk%2Fen%2Fcontent%2F1100-14-july-2015-146-lawyers-law-firm-staffhuman-right-activists-have-been-detainedarrested" target="_blank" target="_blank">Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum</a> are trying to change this.
A woman walks through Shanghai's former Jewish ghetto on May 7, 2013. Today, there are few remnants of its Jewish history although organizations like the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum are trying to change this.
PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images

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