Eastern Yiddish-speaking Jewish in Latvia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Jews represent the oldest monotheistic religion of modern times. Because of the uniqueness of their history and culture, all Jews have a strong sense of identity. Persecution of and discrimination against the Jews have been the historical reasons for their migrations and settlements around the world.

The Jews of Europe arrived on the continent at least 2,000 years ago during the early days of the Roman Empire. Since then, they have been a significant influence in the history and culture of Europe. Much of what is considered "Jewish" today finds its roots among the European Jews.

One of the unique features among European Jews is the distinction between the Ashkenazic Jews and the Sephardic Jews. The word Ashkenaz is derived from a biblical word for the larger Germanic region of Europe. Therefore, Ashkenazim Jews are those whose ancestry is linked to that area. This group traditionally speaks the Yiddish language, which is a German dialect that has Hebrew and Slavic elements. There are two basic Yiddish languages, one is called "Western" and the other is called, "Eastern." The latter developed in Eastern Europe and Russia.


Where Are they Located?

Eastern Yiddish speakers are all over central and eastern Europe, including tiny Latvia.


What Are Their Lives Like?

In Latvia, Jewish people look and dress like everyone else, so people often don't know they are Jewish. Jewish people don't regularly face anti-Semitic behavior, but few of them hold political power. Like the people of the other two Baltic States, (Lithuania and Estonia) Latvian Jewish people use Russian as a trade language.


Because of the uniqueness of their history and culture, Yiddish-speaking Jews have a strong sense of identity. Persecution of and discrimination against the Jews have been the historical reasons for their migrations and settlements in other parts of the w
What Are Their Beliefs?

This Jewish community in Latvia tends to not be very religious. They celebrate Jewish holidays together as families and in their synagogues. Judaism provides them with more of a sense of identity than a way to fill a spiritual need.


What Are Their Needs?

The Eastern Yiddish speakers in Latvia need spiritual hunger to seek and find their messiah.


Prayer Points

Pray for Latvian believers to reach out to the Jewish community in love.
Pray for a spiritual hunger among Yiddish speaking Jews that they will seek and find their messiah.
Pray for Yiddish speaking rabbis to emerge who will disciple others in the ways of Yeshua, Jesus.


Scripture Prayers for the Jewish, Eastern Yiddish-speaking in Latvia.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12350/BO
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12350/EN
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews_in_Latvia
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/latvia-virtual-jewish-history-tour
https://www.iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org/latvia/index.html
https://books.google.com/books?id=nNpXzP8z040C&pg=PA431&lpg=PA431&dq=Eastern+Yiddish+speaking+Jews+in+Latvia&source=bl&ots=6RBrjXHdAq&sig=mWcvJFXbrFxLW_x27X9MvQAGFTs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjUvPvE1fXWAhXKjFQKHbJwBTEQ6AEITjAH#v=onepage&q=Eastern%20Yiddish%20speaking%20Jews%20in%20Latvia&f=false


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Jewish, Eastern Yiddish-speaking
People Name in Country Jewish, Eastern Yiddish-speaking
Natural Name Eastern Yiddish-speaking Jewish
Pronunciation YIH-dish joo
Alternate Names Jew, Yiddish-Speaking; Jewish; Yiddish Jewish
Population this Country 1,900
Population all Countries 785,000
Total Countries 12
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 12350
ROP3 Code 104247
ROP25 Code 303368
ROP25 Name Jewish
Country Latvia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Scattered.   Source:  Ethnologue 2020
Country Latvia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Scattered..   Source:  Ethnologue 2020

No people group map currently available. Use the above button to submit a map.



Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Religion Subdivision: Judaism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
96.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
4.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Yiddish, Eastern (1,900 speakers)
Language Code ydd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Yiddish, Eastern (1,900 speakers)
Language Code ydd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Yiddish, Eastern
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  paul prescott - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



Joshua Project logo    Joshua Project    Copyright © 2024