Tikvah
Editors’ Pick

March 10, 2016

Venice Celebrates Five Centuries of Jewish Life

And commemorates the establishment of the first ghetto.

Established in 1516, Venice’s walled-off Jewish quarter would give its name to, and provide a model for, scores of similar zones in cities throughout Italy and Germany that decided Jews simply couldn’t be allowed to live among Christians. The 500th anniversary of its founding has occasioned celebrations and commemorations in the city, including an elaborate exhibit that will be on display in the summer and fall. David Laskin writes:

SaveGift