1. Jewish life in Europe
Sorting cards

2. Jewish life in Europe before the Second World War
Preparation:
On the following slides are sort cards.
Print these and cut them along the dotted lines.

3. Germany
Poland
Norway
Greece
Less than 0.75% of the population were Jewish – approximately 500,000 people.
Approximately 10% of the population were Jewish – around 3,300,000 people.
Approximately 0.05% of the population were Jewish – around 1,400 people.
Approximately 1.2% of the population were Jewish – around 73,000 people.
Population
There had been a Jewish community here for approximately 80 years.
There had been a Jewish community here for approximately 1600 years.
There had been a Jewish community here for approximately 800 years.
There had been a Jewish community here for approximately 2,200 years.
Age of the community
Yiddish was often spoken as a first language at home, though for others the native language was spoken.
Ladino, Yevani and Italian were spoken by various members of the community – alongside the language of the country.
The vast majority of Jewish families were totally assimilated and spoke the native language.
Although a very young community the synagogues were all named in the local language.
Language

4. Location of Communities
Germany
Poland
Norway
Greece
Jewish individuals could be found in towns across the country but the largest communities were in large cities.
Many Jewish families and individuals lived in small towns or shtetls where the majority of the population was Jewish.
The community was concentrated in two cities, the majority had arrived from Eastern Europe.
Communities were found living in the cities, and on the islands.
Location of Communities
Reform Judaism (a branch of Judaism that broke away from the more traditional orthodox Judaism) began here and had become popular.
Many Jewish families were orthodox in their religious life and followed the Ashkenazi tradition.
There were only 3 synagogues in the entire country, all of them were orthodox and Ashkenazi.
The population was made up of Romainot and Sephardi Jews and a small number of Italian Jews.
religious tradition
Dominant

5. AGE OF COMMUNITY LANGUAGE
Themes
Countries
POPULATION
GERMANY
AGE OF COMMUNITY
POLAND
LANGUAGE
NORWAY

6. LOCATION OF COMMUNITIES DOMINANT RELIGIOUS TRADITION
Themes
Country
LOCATION OF COMMUNITIES
GREECE
DOMINANT RELIGIOUS TRADITION

7. Jewish life in Europe Sorting cards ‘Jewish life in Europe’
Lesson plan and materials created by Kay Andrews
© Kay Andrews, 2010, All Rights Reserved. Updated 2014.
Additional editing by Andy Pearce
Artwork by Cheryl Lowe