Paris: Holocaust and Current War

Discussing the Jewish experience in Paris during WWII was hard, because the actions of the government were antisemitic. It was even harder because Hamas’ Oct 7 terroristic attack was the first or second day of our trip.

We toured the Marais section, which was known both as the Jewish and gay quarter (although less concentrated now). We learned there were three major sweeps of Jewish people to send them to the concentration camps. Prior to the first sweep, Jewish people were prohibited from working, but they could ask for an exception. “I am a doctor and need to work ….” We learned not a single exception was granted, but the requests were used to identify people for the sweeps. This makes me sick to my stomach.

Here are some pictures from that area.