Satmar (Hasidic dynasty)



Satmar (Hebrew: סאטמאר or סאטמר) is the largest grouping in Hasidic Judaism, with an estimated membership of 120,000 (2006), centered in New York state. Adhering to the Hungarian Ultra-Orthodox school of thought (not to be confused with 'Ultra-Orthodox Judaism'), Satmar hasidim value isolation from other ideologies, and encourage such by insisting upon Yiddish as their primary language, and limiting education to religious study. They model their dress on 19th-century Hungarian Jewish garb, and integrate into their host societies only as absolutely required for their livelihood.