IN TRIBUTE TO THE LATE TEDDY KAUFMAN, FOUNDER OF IGUD YOTZEI SIN

In Tribute to the late Teddy Kaufman, founder Of IGUD Yotzei Sin

 

Tributes have been pouring into the family of the late Theodore (Teddy) Kaufman who passed away 15 July 2012 aged 88. He was buried at the Kiryiat Shaul cemetery in Tel Aviv. Teddy is survived by his wife Rasha, and brother Isai Kaufman in San Francisco, USA.

He will be missed by all who knew and respected him as a giant in understanding China- Israel relations. His knowledge of the history of the Jewish presence in China was great.

Teddy, as he was affectionately known, was born 2 September 1924 in Harbin, China. He lived there after his family fled Russia in 1903. His father was Dr. Abraham Josevich Kaufman, a Russian-born medical doctor, community organiser and Zionist who helped protect tens of thousands of Jews seeking safe-haven in East Asia from Nazi atrocities during World War II.

No doubt from his father''''s influence and stature, Teddy was also instrumental during his time in Harbin and managed to publish a paper that provided news on Israel and also established certain Jewish committees.

He emigrated to Israel in 1949 and a few years later established, with 16 other former Jewish residents, an organisation known as the Association of Former Residents of China - Igud Yotzei Zin. The organisation comprised of residents from Harbin,Tianjin, Shanghai and Dalian. Teddy was chairman for 50 years.

Separately, he was also the founder and president of the Israel-China Friendship Association and was instrumental in bringing a deeper understanding between the two nations.

The work of Igud started with distributing food parcels to Jewish refugees around the world, and to needy immigrants from China into Israel. Other former China resident’s organisations were established around the world including San Francisco, Sydney and Los Angeles.

In 1956, Igud began granting scholarships to students who were former China residents, made possible by a fund which was established by ex- China residents in New York. The scholarships have been awarded to the offspring of former China residents, sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters, and even great grandsons and daughters. Well over 1800 scholarships have been distributed.

In addition, for over 20 years, Igud has distributed twice a year Rosh Hashanah and Yom Ha''''atzmaut gifts to soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces who are the offspring of ex-China residents - approximately 1500 soldiers.

Perhaps Teddy’s biggest legacy is the Bulletin magazine. It was his way of putting on record events of the Jews in China from the late 19th century to the present day. The magazine is still published today, in three languages, Russian, Hebrew and English. Copies are distributed in Israel among the former China residents and various institutions and the rest are sent to former China residents abroad.

An official statement, from the Chinese Embassy in Israel read: “Mr. Kaufman, as president of the Israel-China Friendship Society, had long been committed to promoting China- Israel exchanges in varied fields and maintained friendly relations with the embassy and Chinese people,”

“He was like the still water, running deep in his efforts to develop relations between China and Israel.”

“Mr. Kaufman represented the spirit of selfless giving back,” the statement continued. As an old Chinese saying goes, ‘Don’t forget the well-diggers when drinking from the well.’ Mr. Kaufman never forgot his well-digger, by showing his deep affection to China where he was born and lived for 26 years. He then became a well digger himself and set an example for younger generations. Mr. Kaufman worked until the last hours of his life promoting the Israel-China relationship.”

Jewish Times Asia - (Issue September 2012)