Horváth László szerk.: Mátrai Tanulmányok (Gyöngyös, 1999)

The 1848 revolution and war of independence changed their legal status radically, when they raised their voice on the side of the revolutionary decrees and equality before law. In Gyöngyös they were admitted to the revolution's army and to the National Guard. About 20 of the Gyöngyös Jews fought in the National Army. The Austrian tyranny consequently handled them collectively guilty because of their serious sacrifices for Hungarian freedom. This brought them only closer to Hungarians, and started an assimilation previously unthinkable in Europe. By the 1867 Compromise the Jewish community of Gyöngyös, which had by then grown to at least 10% of the population become 'more and more Hungarian' in its language, clothing, culture, habits, and even in its name. Approximately 90% of the Gyöngyös Jews, wanted total assimilation; about 10% still observed traditions strictly. These were the causes that divided the Jewish community into more than one group, a phenomenon unique in Hungary. We can speak of progressive (neologue), orthodox and 'middle' (status quo) religion and their respective institutions. At the turn of the century, the Gyöngyös community, numbering 2000 people, mostly (90%) followed the status quo tendency, the being only giving 10%. From the last third of the 19th century, the Gyöngyös Jewish community (like Jews generally in Hungary) experienced one of the most successful and peaceful periods of their history. This is borne out by the constant and noticeable rise in of their number: the 1900 census registered 1974 Israelites, while the 1910 census knew of 2312 living in the town. The number of Israelites Gyöngyös, 1880-1941. Év number of Israelites % of whole population 1880 2476 14,7 1910 2330 12,0 1920 2250 11,4 1930 2136 10,0 1941 total 2231 9,3 1941 of Israelite religion 2071 8,6 1941 proclaimed Jewish 160 0,7 Parallel to the growth of numbers, their economic and social status also became more stabile. They were thriving in all of areas the economy, not only in banking but also in industry and agriculture. The first land-owning Jews with big estates appeared about the middle of the century, but laws abolished the limitation of Israelite real estate acquisition only in 1867. In industry, the obstacles obstructing the improvement of manufacturing industry were removed by the 1867 law as well as the 1872 Factory