A delegation of former Jewish refugees is in Shanghai to thank the city for sheltering them during the last world war.     

The delegation and their families, along with a number of Jewish businessmen, shared memories of their life in Shanghai during the war in a press conference held at a museum for Jewish Refugees.

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The "Thank you, Shanghai!" visit, organized by Shanghai-born Rabbi Chaim Walkin, marks the forthcoming celebration of the 70th anniversary of the 1945 allied victory, according to museum curator Chen Jian.

It also serves as a gesture of respect and gratitude for the great help that people of Shanghai shared with them despite their own difficulties during the war.

Chaya Small, now 80 years old, was originally from Poland and was among the 23,000 Jews who took refuge in Shanghai to escape Nazi persecution.

Chaya tearfully recalls the experience while showing a picture of her nanny wearing a qipao with Chaya's little brother sitting on her lap.      

"My nanny is just like my mother. Although she did not speak our language, she gave us comfort when things were difficult," Chaya said.

"Anyone who can recognize her or know her children, please let us know," said Chaya, who now resides in Chicago.

Mickey Abraham, another delegate who was born in Shanghai and now living in New York, also had a Chinese nanny who took care of them and would sing prayers along with the family.  

Mickey reminisces, "Shanghai's people were very nice to us, and they respected Jewish customs very much."                

He recollects his trip to Shanghai some 10 years back when he and his Jewish friends heard an old man happily uttering aloud, "the Jewish people have returned" when he heard  them sing the old tune they used to sing in a garden back then.

The 25-man delegation took a trip for an exchange of pleasantries at a museum formerly known as the Ohel Moshe Synagogue, a gathering place for religious activities in Tilanqiao known as the Little Vienna.

The museum on Changyang Road in Hongkou District was built in honor of Jewish refugees who fled persecution during the second World War.

Shanghai was one city that had its doors wide open for the influx of Jews, receiving about 25,000 of them.

Many Jewish refugees left their adoptive city at the end of WWII and emigrated to all parts of the world but the memories of their life in Shanghai have been forever carved in their hearts, which led them to lovingly carry the title "Shanghai Jews."