Ashkenazi

Refers to Jews of Central and Eastern European origin. Ashkenazi Jews represent one of the major Jewish ethnic divisions, along with Sephardic Jews (originating in Spain and Portugal) and Mizrahi Jews (from the Middle East and North Africa, including Iraq, Iran, Yemen, and Morocco).

The term "Ashkenazi" has its roots in a medieval Hebrew name for Germany. Influenced by their history in Germany, Russia, and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Ashkenazi Jews developed a distinct language, Yiddish, as well as distinct religious practices and cultural traditions.