Over the past two millennia, globetrotting Jewish traders have exported not only diamonds, textiles and other material goods, but also the intangibles of their own culture. Now, in a budding relationship with universities in China, Hebrew College Online is continuing that tradition in cyberspace.


This online cultural exchange began when HCO launched a pilot program in Hebrew language last fall for students at Shandong University's Centre for Judaic and Inter-Religious Studies in eastern China. Based on the pilot's success and discussions with HCO Dean Nathan Ehrlich at a recent Centre-sponsored interreligious conference, Shandong and two other major Chinese universities now seek to "import" HCO courses in Hebrew and Jewish Studies for students in their Judaic Studies departments, and to establish a student exchange program with Hebrew College.

"The Chinese see Judaism and the Jews as a conduit to the West and its successes," explains Ehrlich. "They also marvel at how Jews managed to retain ties to their tradition and adapt it to modern times, despite the material success that many have achieved."

To address the growing interest in Hebrew and Jewish studies in China and to contribute to mutual understanding between China and the West, Ehrlich would like to make HCO courses accessible to Chinese students of all disciplines.

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