Life in the ghettos
Life in the ghettos was very crowded. Usually, one apartment would contain multiple families living in it. Contagious diseases spread because of the unsanitary houses. Residents were always hungry, and ill, which caused many people to kill themselves. The Germans purposefully attempted to starve the Jews. They were only allowed to buy a certain, and small, amount of food. They often traded money, or valuable keepsakes, for food, if they couldn't do that, they would steal from other starving families, or beg for food. Children also risked their lives smuggling food in the ghetto.
Each day, children were orphaned. They were then forced to take care of younger siblings, and usually lived in the streets. They lived by begging for food. To be useful, they riskingly smuggled food for other families, in promise of a little bit of food for themselves.
Since education was stated as defiance from the Nazi's, children were forced to attend school or class in secret. They went to classes that adults, who also lived in the ghetto, taught. They were taught to hide books, since the consequence for defiance was very harsh.
Many ghettos were set up in towns, or cities, where many Jews were already living. Jews, Roma Gypsies, and homosexuals, were brought from all over the country, to live in a ghetto. Usually, the most old and run-down part of the city would be marked as the ghetto.
Each day, children were orphaned. They were then forced to take care of younger siblings, and usually lived in the streets. They lived by begging for food. To be useful, they riskingly smuggled food for other families, in promise of a little bit of food for themselves.
Since education was stated as defiance from the Nazi's, children were forced to attend school or class in secret. They went to classes that adults, who also lived in the ghetto, taught. They were taught to hide books, since the consequence for defiance was very harsh.
Many ghettos were set up in towns, or cities, where many Jews were already living. Jews, Roma Gypsies, and homosexuals, were brought from all over the country, to live in a ghetto. Usually, the most old and run-down part of the city would be marked as the ghetto.