Jewish Life in Berlin Until the Hitler Period

Abstract

Berlin traces its beginning back to the year 1237. The first evidence of the presence of Jews was in a local ordinance, dated October 28, 1295, by which wool merchants were forbidden to supply Jews with woolen yarn. Subsequent tax records mention Jews in 1317 and 1363, respectively. Jews lived in what was called a Jewish quarter (Grosser Judenhof), and there was a Jews’ Street. Apparently, however, some wealthier Jews lived outside of these areas. Only in 1543, permission was granted for a Jewish cemetery; until then Jews buried their dead in nearby Spandau.