The Jewish Community in Budapest Before WWII: A Pivotal Time of Safeguard and Deprivation

The Jewish population in Budapest was a significant and integral part of the city's cultural and social fabric prior to the Second World War. This article explores the demographic impact, the experiences of refugees, and the dramatic changes brought about by fascist regimes and German occupation.

Demographic Impact of the Jewish Community in Budapest

As of 1941, Budapest, the capital of Hungary, had a population of 1,164,963, with greater Budapest including suburbs reaching over 1.7 million. The Jewish population at that time was around 200,000 individuals, accounting for approximately 15-16% of the city's total population. Historically, in 1900, the Jewish population was even more substantial, making up roughly 23.6% of the city, or about 165,000 residents.

From a national perspective, the Jewish population of Hungary itself was 725,005, representing 4.94% of the total population of the country. This significant proportion underscores the deep integration of the Jewish community into Hungarian society and culture.

A Safe Haven for Jewish Refugees

Before World War II, Budapest served as a refuge for Jewish refugees fleeing persecution in Germany and Austria. Approximately 5,000 Jews found their temporary haven in Budapest between 1938 and 1939. This influx further contributed to the already substantial Jewish population in the city.

Following the German invasion of Slovakia in March 1942, an additional 8,000 Slovak Jewish refugees found shelter in Budapest. Despite being located within the fascist and allied territory of Hungary, Jews in Budapest were, at first, relatively safe from the physical harm that the German occupation would later bring.

The Impact of Fascist Regimes and German Occupation

Norman M. Naimark remarked, 'When the Germans occupied Hungary in 1944, the fate of the Jewish community changed for the worse.' The occupation led to the severest restrictions on Jewish life, with the fascist Arrow Cross party taking control. Jews were confined to ghettos, displaced from their homes, and subjected to brutal forced labor. This period was marked by widespread violence, with the Arrow Cross instigating a reign of terror that resulted in the shooting and hanging of hundreds of Jews.

In November 1944, more than 70,000 Jews were concentrated in the Ujlaki brickyards in Obuda, where they were forced to march to camps in Austria. Thousands perished during this death march due to starvation and exposure to the harsh winter weather. Those who survived reached Austrian concentration camps, such as Dachau in Germany and Mauthausen in Austria by late December 1944.

The Arrow Cross Regime and Mass Executions

In November 1944, the Arrow Cross ordered the remaining 50,000 Jews in Budapest into a closed ghetto. Between December 1944 and January 1945, 20,000 Jews were taken from the ghetto and executed along the banks of the Danube, their bodies thrown into the river. This brutal action was a demonstration of the full extent of the Arrow Cross's brutality and the Jewish community's suffering.

The Soviet forces liberated Budapest on February 13, 1945. In Hungary, about 565,000 Hungarian Jews were murdered, while approximately 90,000 to 100,000 Jews in Budapest survived the war. The systemic violence and persecution during this period had far-reaching and devastating effects on the Jewish community in Budapest.

Conclusion

The Jewish community in Budapest before World War II was a testament to the city's cultural and social diversity. While it offered relative safety and refuge to Jewish refugees, the occupation brought unprecedented suffering, oppression, and mass executions. The events of that time serve as a reminder of the darker chapters in history and the resilience of the Jewish community in the face of adversity.