Eastern Europe and its Jewish inhabitants are inextricably linked over centuries of involvement. Josefov, or the Jewish ghetto in Prague, is one such example. Josefov's history began in medieval times, and visitors today can see relics of Josefov's past that include the Old Jewish Cemetery - which is a testament to Prague's Jewish population, the size of which had, at times, no rival in Europe. Up until the 19th century, stringent laws kept Jews in Josefov.
Many Jews in Central Europe were sent to the Terezin concentration camp. However, Jews all over Eastern Europe saw the inside of Terezin, Auschwitz-Birkenau, and other concentration camps.
Today, the relationship between Jews and their communities in Eastern Europe is still strained. Anti-Jewish sentiments run rampant in traditional communities. Even if a citizen is Jewish by heritage only, they may still be subject to discrimination and abuse.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
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