Nyírtass

Around the year 1200 Nyírtass was a significant settlement, belonging to the King’s possession. During its history, it was the property of several great noble families. It was shared by the Lónyay, Zichy and Esterházy families, among others. The first Hasidic Jews arrived at the municipality in the 18th century, under protection of the Esterházy. They mostly worked at the Eastern Hungarian village as wine merchants and craftsmen. The religious leader of the Jewry of the settlement at that time was rabbi Meshulim Feish Segal Lowy.

The Jewish community of Nyírtass was established in the beginning of the 19th century; this is when the first synagogue was built. The Jews of Tass took position in favour of the Orthodox direction in 1868. They joined the community of Kisvárda in 1885. A new synagogue was built In 1910. The Jews of Nyírtass also had several other institutions: rabbinate, chevra kadisha, cheder, and a renowned yeshiva. In 1900, they built an Israelite elementary school. Five Jews from Nyírtass died as heroes in World War I. After the war, residents of Tass attacked and looted the shops of the Jewish “profiteers”, and also damaged their houses. Following the downfall of the 1919 Dictatorship of the Proletariat, the rabbi and leaders of the community had been interned, and were only released after a week. In 1941, 40 young Jewish men were drafted into labour service, and were later commanded to the Eastern Front, where 31 of them perished. In 1942 the movie Jud Süss was screened in the village, making tempers flare as a result. Windows of Jewish houses were smashed, some even demanded their deportation. In 1944, after the invasion of the German a curfew was imposed in the village. During the restriction, Jewish shops had been looted. After the ghettoization decree had come into force, the 186 Jews of Nyírtass were gathered into the courtyard of the synagogue. At the end of April, they were sent to Kisvárda, where, at first, they were locked away in a timber yard outside the settlement. Then, they were sent to the ghetto of Kisvárda. They had gathered the Jewry of the surrounding villages, as well, adding up to 7 000 people. Between May 30 and June 1, they were transferred to Auschwitz through Košice to meet certain death. Rabbi Elimelech Segal Lowy had perished there, along with his believers.

In 1945, after the liberation of the camps 5 Jewish women and 2 men returned, while 14 men successfully survived labour service. Their houses had been allocated to local residents, the synagogue and the mikveh had been demolished. Returning residents were met with hostility by the locals. In 1946, 31 citizens with Jewish faith were registered in the village. In 1949, their number was 14.

The number of the population and Jewry of Nyírtass and ratio of Jews

Source: Census data

In 1945, after the liberation of the camps 5 Jewish women and 2 men returned, while 14 men successfully survived labour service. Their houses had been allocated to local residents, the synagogue and the mikveh had been demolished. Returning residents were met with hostility by the locals.  In 1946, 31 citizens with Jewish faith were registered in the village. In 1949, their number was 14.

Jewish residents of the village left their birthplace, and in 1963 18 families established the Canadian settlement of Kiryas Tosh, or Tas. They were led by Meshulim Fleish Segal Lowy II, great-grandson of the dynasty founder, rabbi Meshulim Feish Segal Lowy I.

Today, the cemetery is the only reminder of the Jewish residents of Nyírtass.  Here lies the founder of the Hasidic dynasty of Tass, rabbi Meshulim Feish Segal Lowy I. The grave of the renowned rabbi is visited by masses of pilgrims each year.

Besides the Canadian town of Tosh, the Tass dynasty has synagogues in the United States in Boro Park, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Kiryas Joel and Monsey, and in London, England. This latter is one of the largest Hasidic communities in the world.