On the eve of the Second World War, the Jewish community was a diverse and vibrant community of people. There were rich and poor, religious and secular, socialists, capitalists, professors, and labourers - a broad spectrum of ordinary people. The majority lived poor, insignificant and humble lives in the small towns - 'shtetls' - of Central and Eastern Europe. Each, in their own way contributed to the societies in which they lived, and ensured that the community to which they belonged was cared for. It is important to understand that there were vast differences between different Jewish communities. In Western Europe, many Jews did not consider themselves Jewish other than by birth. They were fully integrated into their surroundings and had little or nothing to do with their religious traditions, favouring to adopt the language, culture and tradition of their neighbours and friends. Other communities, particularly in Eastern Europe were very poor, very religious and as a result not so integrated. In either case, there was a false sense of safety.