Eastern Yiddish-speaking Jewish in United States


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Ethnic Religions (Judaism)
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
More extensive map at peoplegroups.info

Subgroups: 10

Subgroup Name Population
Satmar Jewish 159,000
Chabad-Lubavitch Jewish 42,000
Bobover Jewish 24,000
Vizhnitz Jewish 21,000
Skver Jewish 18,000
Belzer Jewish 13,000
Pupa Jewish 9,400
Gerer Jewish 8,800
Sanzer Jewish 8,300
Breslov Jewish 5,000

Introduction

Yiddish, derived from Medieval High German, is a common language among northern European Jewish. In the nineteenth century, many Yiddish-speaking Eastern European Jewish immigrated to the United States. Many settled on the east and west coasts of the United States. In the twentieth century, many more came, having survived the Holocaust. Over the years, Yiddish gave way to English, and the number of Yiddish speakers declined, as did much of its vibrant literature and drama. Yiddish words affected New York English. The language persists and is growing among Hasidic, Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox Jewish, who use it at home and school. It also persists as a cultural marker among nominal, cultural Jewish, but to a much lesser degree.


Ministry Obstacles

Fervency of Orthodoxy and Ultra-Orthodoxy close Hasidim Jewish to the gospel. Biblical illiteracy and secularism tend to close non-Hasidim Yiddish speakers to the gospel. The Holocaust is another obstacle shared by non-Yiddish-speaking Jewish. Historical antisemitism turns many Jewish away from the Messiah. Yiddish speakers also live in a closed community.


Prayer Focus

Pray that God would prepare Yiddish-speaking Jewish for gospel witness and a massive movement to their Messiah.
Pray that the non-Jewish church would repent of antisemitism.
Pray that Messianic believers would be Jesus' ambassadors to this community.


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


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

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-ish
Alternate Names Jew, Yiddish-Speaking; Jewish; Yiddish Jewish
Population this Country 361,000
Population all Countries 796,000
Total Countries 12
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 7
PeopleID3 12350
ROP3 Code 104247
Affinity Bloc Jewish
People Cluster Jewish
People Group Jewish, Eastern Yiddish-speaking
Ethnic Code CMT35
Total Subgroups 10
  Satmar Jewish 159,000
  Chabad-Lubavitch Jew 42,000
  Bobover Jewish 24,000
  Vizhnitz Jewish 21,000
  Skver Jewish 18,000
  Belzer Jewish 13,000
  Pupa Jewish 9,400
  Gerer Jewish 8,800
  Sanzer Jewish 8,300
  Breslov Jewish 5,000
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Scattered with concentrations in major urban centers.   Source:  Ethnologue 2020
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Scattered with concentrations in major urban centers..   Source:  Ethnologue 2020
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions (Judaism)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.01 %)
0.01 %
Ethnic Religions
86.99 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
13.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Yiddish, Eastern (361,000 speakers)
Language Code ydd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Yiddish, Eastern (361,000 speakers)
Language Code ydd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Yiddish, Eastern
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2025  paul prescott - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Anonymous  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.