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Sephardim

Originally, the Jews of the Iberian Peninsula, North Africa and the Balkans. Jews from territories east of Israel, such as Syria, Persia, Bukhara, etc. are also often referred to as Sephardim. They speak different languages; the Spanish branch is called Ladino.

Shadchen

Matchmaker. The Shadchen had an important role in traditional community life as bachelors and maidens were not allowed to meet. Parents arranged marriages with the assistance of the Shadchen, taking care that matching young get married. The Shadchen was remunerated for her services by receiving a certain share of the settlement.

Sofer

Copyist, copies ritual scripts (Torah, Mezzuzah, Tefillin) on parchment or paper.

Status Quo Ante

The group of Hungarian Jews that did not join those who accepted (the Neologue) or those who rejected (the Orthodox) the resolutions of the 1868-69 congress. The name originates from the Latin "prior state" (i.e. to the congress) and suggests that these communities aspired to restore the state of affairs preceding the congress, i.e. a uniform community. From a liturgical and modernization point of view they stood closer to the Orthodox. Their umbrella organization was the National Federation of Status Quo Ante Communities.