Notes on the News The Ghetto

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 7 December 1938, Page 12

Notes on the News The Ghetto

it is reported from Berlin that the Jewish residential areas in north and central Berlin will become ghettos, and Jews must obtain permits to cross them. Laws forbidding Jews and Christians to dwell together were established ir some countries of Europe more than 700 years ago. in 1510 the Venetian Republic ordered the segregation of the Jews of the city in a special quarter, formerly known as the Getto (Ghetto) Nuovo. or New Foundry. A little later the JJotto V well to. or Old Foundry, was added. Hence the term "Ghetto” spread throughout Italy, where the Jewish quarters compulsorily established in Hie second half of the sixteenth century and the subsequent years became otllclally known bv this Though the Jews fought against Hie establishment of these Ghettos, they soon found them a big advantage in that they enabled the solidarity of •lie race to he maintained, and enabled snowies to be kept outside the walls. The entrance to the Ghetto was usually through a low archway, prorided with massive doors, and under lie custody of Christian gatekeepers, 3aid by the Jews. After nightfall it •vas considered a serious crime for any lew to be found outside the Ghetto, >r any Christian within it. Only withn the Ghetto was the Jew enabled to ive the life of a human being; as an ndividual he was scarcely recognized, at least for decent treatment, uitside it. Collectively, the Jews of he Ghetto were compelled to pay sxorbitant exactions.