The Jewish presence in China dates back to the Song Dynasty (960-1127), when Jewish settlers arrived via the Silk Road and established a community in Kaifeng. The Kaifeng community was influenced the religion practiced by the Chinese communities around it, incorporating aspects of ancestor-worship into their lives. Though the community existed largely in isolation from the rest of the Jewish world, they clearly did have some contact with other Jewish communities based on customs they adopted that resemble other Jewish traditions.
Today, Chinese Jews account for only 0.0002% of the national population, according to a 2010 census. Many of the Jews in China have come from other countries for business purposes. There are few independent synagogues in China, with most Jewish life sustained by Chabad houses, which offer Jewish services and kosher food for the community.
