History of the Jews in Hungary

The history of the Jews in Hungary goes back many years, even before the Kingdom of Hungary began. Jewish people lived in Hungary and some even worked for the king a long time ago.

By the early 1900s, Jews were an important part of Hungary. Many lived in Budapest and helped in science, art, and business.

During World War II, Hungary made unfair rules for Jewish people. Later, Nazi Germany took control of the country. Many Jewish people were taken away from their homes. After the war, the Jewish community in Hungary kept growing. Today, Budapest still has many important Jewish places, including the largest synagogue in Europe.

Early history

The history of Jewish people in Hungary goes back a very long time. Some believe Jewish people lived there even before the Hungarian tribes arrived around 895 CE. Records show Jewish people were part of Hungary during the medieval times.

In the early 1200s, Jewish people held important jobs, such as serving as officials for the king. However, over time, rules became stricter. By the late 1200s, Jewish people were required to wear special marks on their clothes to be recognized in public. Despite these challenges, Jewish communities continued to live and work in Hungary.

Expulsion, readmission and persecution (1349–1526)

During the time when foreign kings ruled Hungary after the Arpad family ended, Jewish people in Hungary faced many hard times. In 1349, during a sickness known as the Black Death, they were forced to leave the country. Though they were allowed back soon after, they were expelled again in 1360 by King Louis the Great of Anjou. At first, King Louis was kind to Jewish people, but later he tried to make them change their religion, which they did not do, leading to their expulsion. They found safety in nearby lands.

Later, when Hungary needed money, Jewish people were allowed to return. They found that the king had a habit of cancelling their important papers and agreements with just a signature. A special job was created for a "judge of all the Jews living in Hungary" to collect taxes from them, protect their rights, and listen to their problems.

After a while, things got worse for Jewish people in Hungary. They had their belongings taken away, people refused to pay them back money they owed, and they were treated badly. Some were even hurt and killed, including many in Nagyszombat (Trnava) in 1494. To stay safe, they asked for help from a powerful leader, who agreed to protect them and give them the same rights as others. But even after this, Jewish people still faced many difficulties during this time.

War against the Ottomans (1526–1686)

See also: History of the Jews in Turkey

The Ottomans defeated the Hungarians at the Battle of Mohács on August 29, 1526. Their king, Louis II, died in the battle. When news reached the capital, Buda, some wealthy Jews left with others who fled. When the Ottoman leader Ibrahim Pasha arrived, the remaining Jews gave him the keys to the empty castle as a sign of peace.

The Ottoman ruler, Suleiman I, ordered that many Jews from Buda and Esztergom be sent to cities across the Ottoman Empire, such as Constantinople, Pleven, and Sofia. In Sofia, Hungarian Jews formed their own community for many years.

Though the Ottoman Army left after the battle, they returned in 1541. They took control of Buda. Some Jews fled to areas beyond the border or to safe cities in western Hungary. In some places, leaders began to treat Jews badly. For example, the city of Sopron forced Jews to leave and took their property. The city of Bratislava also allowed its people to push Jews out.

Jews living in areas controlled by the Ottomans were treated better than those under the rule of the Habsburgs. During certain years, the Jewish community in Buda grew and thrived. At the end of Ottoman rule, about one thousand Jews in Buda worshiped in three different synagogues.

The following table shows the number of Jewish families paying a special tax in Buda during Ottoman rule:

Habsburg rule

Further persecution and expulsions (1686–1740)

When soldiers took a city in 1686, many Jewish people there were hurt or captured. Hungary came under new rulers who wanted the country to change. Leaders told the king to favor some groups, making life harder for Jewish communities. Laws were passed that limited what Jewish people could do, like owning land or having Christian servants.

More rules were made against Jewish people over time. In some places, they were forced to leave. During a big uprising, Jewish communities faced danger, though not many lost their lives. After peace returned, Jewish people were again told to leave many cities, but those living on farms were often left alone.

Maria Theresa (1740–1780)

Under a new ruler, Jewish communities faced more restrictions. They were forced out of some cities and had to pay special taxes. Jewish people could not live in certain areas or visit markets. They faced many unfair rules, like paying more for travel.

Leaders tried to control the number of Jewish families by limiting how many could marry. Many Jewish people moved to Hungary from nearby places, where rules were stricter. Despite efforts to enforce laws, many powerful people helped Jewish communities, making it hard to carry out these rules.

Joseph II (1780–1790)

A new ruler, Joseph II, wanted to make life better for Jewish people. He made laws that opened many places to them and allowed them to settle freely. Jewish people were required to learn new languages and change some of their traditions. They were allowed to open schools and work in many jobs, though some rules, like not living in mining towns, stayed in place.

Jewish people thanked the ruler for these changes but asked to keep some of their traditions. They set up schools in several cities. Later, some cities tried to force Jewish people to leave, but the government stepped in to protect their rights.

Toleration and oppression (1790–1847)

In 1790, Jewish communities in Hungary asked for equal rights. A law was passed that protected their rights, though full equality would take many more years. Jewish people began adopting the local language and customs, hoping it would help their cause.

Even with progress, some people still showed dislike toward Jewish communities. During a big uprising in 1848, Jewish people showed their support for the country, even when faced with attacks. Some leaders spoke out in support of Jewish rights, but changes would come slowly.

Revolution and emancipation (1848–1849)

Jews and the Hungarian Revolution

In March 1848, Jewish people joined the national guard to protect their country, even though some cities did not let them at first. At Pest, Jewish people formed their own group in the guard. Rabbi Leopold Löw from Pápa fought with Hungarian soldiers against the Croatians and inspired others with his words. Many Jewish people served in the army and were praised for their bravery.

Jewish communities also helped by giving money, supplies, and support to the soldiers. They hoped this would help them gain equal rights as citizens.

Brief emancipation and aftermath, 1849

Some Jewish leaders thought changing certain religious practices might help them gain equal rights. In July 1848, Jewish leaders from all over Hungary met in Pest to ask the government for equal rights, but they refused to change their religious practices.

In July 1849, the government granted Jewish people full citizenship. However, this only lasted two weeks. After the Hungarian army surrendered, new leaders punished Jewish communities with heavy taxes and other hardships. Many Jewish people were imprisoned, and some had to leave Hungary. Later, the government asked Jewish communities to pay a large amount of money, but they negotiated a different way to help instead.

Struggles for a second emancipation (1859–1867)

When Hungary was ruled by the Habsburg family, Jewish people had to wait for more freedom. In 1859, after Austrian troops lost a battle, Jewish leaders asked for better rights. That same year, Emperor Franz Joseph said Jewish rights should be updated, but only if local areas agreed.

Jews used this time to build schools, with help from trained teachers. The government helped start special schools in places like Sátoraljaújhely, Temesvár (Timișoara), Pécs, and Pest. In Pest, they opened a teachers' school in 1859.

Later, when the Parliament met again in 1867, Jewish leaders asked for freedom. On December 22, 1867, a law to support Jewish freedom was passed. Even though some groups did not agree, most leaders were not worried.

In 1877, a special Jewish university opened in Budapest called the Budapest University of Jewish Studies, and it is still open today. By 1890, most Jewish people spoke Hungarian as their first language.

Austria-Hungary (1867–1918)

Most Jewish families in Hungary did not have last names before 1783. In 1783, Emperor Joseph II ordered Jews to choose or be given German last names. Later, many Jewish families changed their last names to Hungarian ones.

In 1910, about 911,000 Jews lived in Hungary. This was nearly 5% of the country’s population. Budapest had the largest Jewish community, with around 203,000 Jews. Jews were successful in many areas, including business, medicine, and education. Many became important leaders in the government and culture of Hungary.

Interwar period (1918–1939)

Population

After World War I, many places where Jewish people lived were no longer part of Hungary. In 1910, about half of Hungary's Jewish community stayed within the new, smaller Hungary. Others moved to places like Czechoslovakia, Romania, Yugoslavia, Austria, and Italy.

By 1930, the number of people saying they were Jewish stayed about the same in the area that was once Hungary. In Budapest and other towns, the Jewish population changed in different ways. Many Jewish people were doctors, teachers, artists, and business owners.

Between 1919 and 1938, many Jewish people changed their religion, mostly leaving Judaism. This happened for many reasons, including strict laws passed in 1938.

In Budapest, Jewish people made up a big part of the city’s population, especially in some neighborhoods. In the countryside, most Jewish people followed Orthodox traditions, while in Budapest, more followed Neolog traditions.

Jewish people were successful in many areas of life, like science, sports, and the arts. Before World War I, many Olympic winners from Hungary were Jewish.

Some Jewish students went to study in other European countries because of limits on how many Jewish students could go to Hungarian universities.

Revolution

Main article: Revolutions and interventions in Hungary (1918–1920)

Many Jewish people fought bravely for Hungary in World War I. After the war, Hungary lost some land and people because of the Treaty of Trianon. This made many people in Hungary upset.

A new government tried to bring change, but it was replaced by another group. Some leaders of this group were Jewish, which led to false ideas about Jewish people. When this group was stopped, another leader took over. His supporters were harsh to anyone they thought opposed them, causing fear. These times made some people treat Jewish people unfairly.

Interwar years

Jews were an important part of Hungary's schools and jobs during this time. Many doctors, lawyers, engineers, and other professionals were Jewish.

Some leaders in Hungary did not like this. Admiral Horthy did not like Jews having important jobs. Because Jews were seen in many areas of life, some people blamed them for problems in the country. This led to unfair rules against Jews.

In 1920, a law called the "numerus clausus" was made. This law limited the number of Jewish students at universities.

Hungary also began to support countries with extreme ideas, like Germany and Italy. New groups with extreme views, such as the Hungarian National Socialist Party and the Arrow Cross Party, started to grow.

Jewish Conversions to Christianity in Hungary

Many people in Hungary changed their religion between 1867 and 1918. During this time, about 20,000 people decided to become Christians.

Anti-Jewish measures

Anti-Jewish Laws (1938–1942)

In 1938, Hungary made unfair rules targeting Jewish people, copying Germany. The first rule in 1938 limited Jewish people in jobs like businesses, newspapers, and as doctors or lawyers to twenty percent. The second rule in 1939 said someone was Jewish if they had two, three, or four Jewish grandparents. The third rule in 1941 stopped Jewish people from marrying non-Jewish people. The fourth rule in 1942 stopped Jewish people from owning or buying land.

These rules also stopped Jewish people from working in government jobs or editing newspapers. They could only be six percent of actors in theaters and movies, and doctors, lawyers, and engineers. Private companies could not hire more than twelve percent Jewish workers. Many Jewish people lost their jobs and could not vote.

January 1941 census

In early 1941, a count showed that about six percent of Hungary’s people, or 846,000, were considered Jewish under these unfair rules. After Hungary took over some areas from nearby countries in 1941, the number went up to 861,000 people, or about six percent, who were at least half Jewish.

First massacres

In 1941, around 10,000 to 20,000 Jewish refugees from other places were sent away from Hungary to southern Poland, where many were harmed. In early 1942, during violent events near Újvidék, hundreds of Jewish people were sadly harmed.

During the war, Jewish people were forced to work in unsafe conditions, such as fixing railroads and clearing mines without proper tools. Many did not survive these harsh treatments.

The Holocaust

Main article: The Holocaust in Hungary

Germany invades Hungary

On March 18, 1944, Adolf Hitler asked the Hungarian leader Miklós Horthy to follow Germany’s rules. German tanks entered Budapest, and a new government took over.

Deportation to Auschwitz

Adolf Eichmann came to Budapest to organize moving Jews away. Rules were made forcing Jews to wear a yellow star and leave their homes. Plans were made to send Jews to a place called Auschwitz.

In July 1944, Horty stopped the deportations, but many Jews had already been sent away.

Efforts to rescue Jews

Very few leaders spoke out, but some people helped Jews escape or hide. Leaders from other countries also asked Horthy to stop.

Arrow Cross rule

After a change in leadership in October 1944, more terrible events happened. Some Jews in Budapest were forced to walk to the border. Two areas in Budapest were set aside for Jews. Some people helped save many Jews.

Number of survivors

About 119,000 Jewish people were saved in Budapest when Soviet soldiers arrived in January 1945. In total, around 255,000 of Hungary’s Jewish population survived during this difficult time.

Communist rule

Further information: Hungarian People's Republic

After World War II, the number of Jews in Hungary dropped a lot. Many had hard times and left the country. From 1945 to 1949, thousands of Jews moved to Israel and other Western countries.

During the early years of Communist rule, some leaders in the government and secret police were Jewish. They followed strict rules that did not allow religious practices. Later, these leaders were removed. From 1948 to 1988, Jewish traditions were limited, and Zionism was banned. Some Jews were moved from cities to smaller towns for a time.

Jews were involved on both sides during an uprising in 1956. After this, about 20,000 Jews left Hungary, many going to Israel and other countries. The Jewish population kept getting smaller because people moved away, mixed with other groups, and had fewer children. By 1967, only about 80,000 to 90,000 Jews were left in Hungary. This number fell more before the Communist government ended in 1989.

Under the leadership of János Kádár, who ruled from 1957 to 1988, Jewish artists and scientists stayed important in Hungary's culture and learning. Hungary cut off diplomatic ties with Israel in 1967 after a war, but this did not lead to unfair treatment of Jews like in some other countries.

From the 1990s

See also: Revolutions of 1989 and 2006 protests in Hungary

Hungary's Jewish community grew smaller over time, especially during World War II and the Holocaust, as well as after the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Even so, by 2010, Hungary had the biggest Jewish community in Eastern Europe outside the former Soviet Union.

After the Cold War ended, Hungary helped many people from the Soviet Union travel to Israel. From 1989 to 1991, over 160,000 of these travelers passed through Hungary on their way to Israel. This happened thanks to teamwork between groups that helped Jewish people and a Hungarian airline. Leaders in Hungary, both old and new, supported this because they wanted Hungary to become more like Western countries and improve its relationship with Israel.

After the government changed in Hungary, two important leaders had Jewish family backgrounds: József Antall from 1990 to 1993 and Gyula Horn from 1994 to 1998.

In 1997, Hungary made a law to return items that were taken from Jewish people during the time of the Nazis and the Communist government. This law gave back property and money to groups that cared for Jewish history.

Some people thought the money given back was not enough. They felt the focus on the Communist time overshadowed the events of the Holocaust.