Decades after her conversion, Esther got a surprising glimpse of her family history. Growing up, she didn’t know much about her grandfathers. Both of them were unjustly accused and murdered by the communist regime. It was a stain on the family name, and no one ever spoke about them.
Recently, an old acquaintance mentioned to Esther’s father that his father, Esther’s paternal grandfather, had been Jewish. It was a shock to the whole family, but looking back, it made sense: Esther’s father is tall and has wavy hair, which is not the typical Chinese look.
Esther’s grandfather had been accused of spying for America because he worked as a general manager of an American bank and spoke four languages: Chinese, Japanese, English, and German. At the time, few people in China spoke German. Now Esther wonders if perhaps the fourth language was actually Yiddish.
The Chinese government did not keep any records, and all attempts to research Esther’s family’s history and learn more about her grandfather were futile. But it’s comforting for her to know that perhaps by practicing Judaism and raising Jewish children, she is continuing in her grandfather’s footsteps.
Today, Esther Tebeka lives in Las Vegas with her family and practices Chinese medicine – something she learned from her father, in addition to her conventional medical training. Her acupuncture clinic was rated top in Las Vegas. She finds fulfillment in helping people heal and live healthier lives and does not miss her TV career. Esther continues speaking at Jewish events, inspiring others with her story.
