Bidspirit auction | (CHINA). Magnificent Testimonial Certificate of

(CHINA). Magnificent Testimonial Certificate of Appreciation to LEIB GERSHEVICH in gratitude for his wide-ranging assistance to the Jewish Community of Tientsin (Tianjin), China. Text in Russian and in English. FINELY PRINTED in raised gilt lettering within gilt borders. With autograph signatures of the seven principal directors of community committees, followed by a further 29 signatures of other leaders. ELABORATELY BOUND within heavy calf boards, upper cover with thick silvered engraved plate. Folio. 8 pages. Tientsin (Tianjin) 9th September, 1937.     ”As honorary president of the Tientsin Jewish Union, the Tientsin Hebrew school, the culture club 'Kunst, ’ the Zionist movement in Tientsin, and many other organizations in Tientsin, you always endowed optimism and faith in our community. Your moral and financial support enabled us to widen the scope of our activities for the benefit of the community… Your departure is a serious loss for our community. We take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of all the members of the Tienstin Jewish community and on behalf of this organization.”     Certificate is signed by representatives of various Jewish organizations in Tienstin: The Jewish Union of Tientsin, Hebrew school, Hebrew club, Gemilut Hesed” organization, Tienstin Zionist Association, Beitar, and others.     Until the year 1904 only ten Jewish families lived in Tientsin. The 1917 revolution in Russia led to the rapid growth of the city's Jewish population. In 1906 the Jews established the Tientsin Jewish Union which rendered various religious services. Side by side with this union the Tientsin Hebrew Association was active in the city and took care of welfare needs such as soup kitchens, hospitals, homes for the elderly, etc. During the 1920s and the 1930s, Tianjin had the third largest Jewish community in China, after Shanghai and  Harbin. In 1935, the number of Jewish people in Tianjin reached 3,500. With the advent of Communism after World War II all Jews left Tientsin.          See https://sinojudaic.org/tianjin