Jews in Early Modern Venice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Jews in Early Modern Venice - Essay Example The paper throws light on Jewish culture as well. The hurdles that the efforts on part of music composers had to go through. Most of their efforts were shunned, by the neo-religious elements of the society. There is focus on the community service and the values that prevailed in Venice; their religious practices; the stones that were thrown on them in the form of bills passed by the Vatican government; The various communities that lived within the Jews are also talked about at great length. Their origins, their impact, their whereabouts, their contributions and their status are also discussed. The Levantines, enjoyed the highest economic strata and were later even allocated a separate portion in the Ghetto. Last, but not the least, the paper also elaborates on the architecture of the ghettos as well. The interiors, the exterior, the dos and don'ts of these places called the squalos and the grandeur associated with them Venice has long been recognized as one of the most multicultural and multi ethnic niches of the world. Situated across eastern Italy, it is a unique amalgamation of 40 different islands. Its length is approximately 40 km long and it varies in breadth from 5 to 10 km. Venice has served as a safe haven for various segregated communities of all times, of refugees and of barbarians. Several islands act protect the land from coastal waters of the open sea, with 3 main inlets moving out of the estuary. It has served as the center of trade between eastern and western European countries ever since 330 A.D. and has been a haven for a vast number of communities coming from different ethnic, religious and social backgrounds. That is why; Venice has never had a pure mythical identity; but home and shelter to refugees, a negative place, and a welcome land for people escaping the barbarians. Embedded in the fabrics of their society, in the confines of the city are Jewish ghettos. Also called the Ghetto Vichhio, Ghetto Nuvissmo or Ghetto Nuovo, they are occupied by a relatively more affluent class of the Jews. Ghettos are segregated areas of the society that harbor the shunned ones. They have been preeminent havens of various societies and eras, but gained prominence during the time of the Nazis. In the days of World War II, Jews were kept in these ghettos before being transported to the death camps. Huge walls were built around the fortifications of the ghettos, to protect the community from the events like Christmas and Easter. The History of the Jews in Venice Jews came on the forefront in the tenth century. This was when documents asking for permission to let Jews embark on a ship were refused. Restrictions were relaxed on the Jews in the late fourteenth century as they were allowed to enter the city. In 1508, the Jews ganged up with the natives to help the government fight the Papals' forces called the League of Cambrai. Even though the forces of Venice lost the battle, this event marked the influx of thousands of Jews in the Venice. The crowd that swarmed in the streets of Venice, escaping the warring tribes. The conflict was resolved and Venice recovered most