VÁROS ÉS FALU HATÁRÁN (Kiállítási katalógusok - Szentendre, Szabadtéri Néprajzi Múzeum, 2010)

The immigration of the Jews into Hungary increased in the 18th century under the reign of Maria Theresa and Joseph II. The emperor's order in 1783 supported their immigration and helped them to establish their schools and rent lands as well. The Jews, taking advantage of the favourable political and economic situation, consisted of two main groups

—the Germanspeaking people from the Czech and Moravian regions, who mainly dealt with trading and commerce, who were free and susceptible to assimilation and modern ideas, and the poor Jews, who were wandering vendors and farmers, who spoke Yiddish and followed orthodox and Hasid traditions refusing innovations and modern thoughts. Although not with an unbroken pace but the changes initiated by Joseph II continued at the reform parliamentary assemblies in the 19th century. According to the Act passed in 1840 the Jews were free to settle down in towns, buy properties, establish factories and pursue any kind of industrial activities. The Jews in Hungary supported the reformation which improved their position and played a significant role in the war of independence in 1848/49 and suffered the retaliations too when it was suppressed. The remaining constraints and limits against the Jews were finally abolished by the orders issued in 1859-60. The civic Jewish population adapting to the modernising urban society were no more allowed to pursue their former strict religious rules; in order to be able to adapt to the majority they had to change their eating habits, clothing and ceremonial traditions. The Jewish groups wishing to assimilate to the Hungarian population followed the instructions of Áron Chorin rabbi in Arad and his disciple, Lipót A bolt berendezése a tájegységi kiállításban. Szentendre. Fotó: Deim Péter 2006. (SzNM MNÉA F75422) Equipment of the store in the regional exhibition in Szentendre, Photo: Péter Deim 2006. (SzNM MNÉA F75422)