Occupied Zone Sign

Translation of the sign: 

“Jews” are forbidden to cross the Line of Demarcation to go to the occupied zone of France. Jews are those who belong or belonged to the Jewish religion or who have more than two Jewish ancestors in their grandparents’ generation. An individual’s grandparents will be considered Jewish if they belong or belonged to the Jewish religion. // Any violation of the present decree will be punishable by imprisonment or a fine, and by the possible confiscation of property. 

This sign first caught the attention of Ed Friedman while visiting with friends in France. Friedman acquired the sign and sent it back to Pittsburgh. He continued to collect Holocaust-era artifacts, all of which are on display in this exhibit.

Just as the smaller line of demarcation sign marked the entry into the Holocaust section of the “Revolving Doors” exhibit, this sign marks the exit.