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My father always remembered his Jewish origin. His ancestors were Jews and he believed he could not offend them, but my father believed that in the Jewish religion and traditions there was a lot going back to middle ages. He disapproved of the way religious people dressed, same as many centuries before. Life was changing and fashion in clothing and views was to change as well.
My father supported the assimilation of Jews and thought that it was good for Jews to be no different from other people in the way they dressed and looked. Faith and convictions were one thing and beard and payes – a different story. Those were outer signs and it wasn’t worth to get too deep into them. He wore contemporary clothing and had his hair cut short. My father was elegant and knew how to wear clothes.
My father supported the assimilation of Jews and thought that it was good for Jews to be no different from other people in the way they dressed and looked. Faith and convictions were one thing and beard and payes – a different story. Those were outer signs and it wasn’t worth to get too deep into them. He wore contemporary clothing and had his hair cut short. My father was elegant and knew how to wear clothes.
Period
Location
Hungary
Interview
Stepan Neuman