Oberlander Jews

Oberlander Jews (also Oberlandish or simply Oberland Jews) are Ashkenazi, Yiddish- and German-speaking Jews originating in the Oberland or higher land western region of Hungary and the district surrounding Bratislava (Pozsony). This is as opposed to Unterlander Jews, who resided in the eastern lower lands on the opposite side of the Danube River and were influenced more by the Hasidic movement.^[1]

Background and customs

Many were Haredi while not Hasidic, others were Orthodox while rather contemporary. Most wore contemporary clothing, spoke Hungarian however educated their children within a traditional Jewish religious framework, together with academic subjects as taught in Hungarian.^[1] Oberlander Judaism was most similar to classic German pre-emancipation Orthodoxy. One very distinct custom, or minhag, that some Oberlanders adhered to was the wearing of a talis prior to marriage, as German Jews do today. Another is putting on tefilin on the intermediate days of a festival. Oberlander Jews have contributed strongly to present-day Orthodox Jewish communities. Generally, Oberlander Jews were more likely to remain Orthodox than other Ashkenazim after post-World War II immigration to North America^{[citation needed]}. Many Oberlander have integrated themselves and have been absorbed by Hasidic groups such as Vizhnitz, Satmar, Nitra, Vien, Puppa, and Kashou after World War II. Others educated their children in the Lithuanian style yeshiva or in Israel, where they no longer maintain all of the customs. However, congregations that self identify as Oberlander who do adhere to Oberlander customs are present in Israel, New York and in London's Stamford Hill.

See also

• Upper Hungary
• History of the Jews in Slovakia
• History of the Jews in Carpathian Ruthenia
• History of the Jews in Hungary
• Yekke
• Carpathian Germans
• Vien chassidim

References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Poll, Solomon (1962). Hasidic Community of Williamsburg. New York, New York: Free Press/Crowell-Collier. pp. 15–16.