The Hungarian Government and the Jewish Orthodox and Reform communities have signed an agreement under which the state guarantees the Jews complete freedom of religion, subsidizes various aspects of communal activity and guarantees the Jews independent control of their communal structure, it was revealed hero today.
Primarily, the state binds itself to recognize full religious liberty, including religious practice and education, according to the compact. The government also agreed to permit the Jewish community to operate independent publications for purposes of education. The state will provide financial support for the activities of the Jewish community, but will reduce that subsidy by one-quarter every five years. All pensions granted by the community will be guaranteed and met by the government.
The Jewish schools will become part of the national system of education and the staffs of the institutions will become civil servants. Jewish students will continue to be free to observe Saturday as the Sabbath in the schools. Institutions which depend on charity will be permitted to operate within the scope of the Hungarian legal code, while raising of funds for charitable work may be continued.
The agreement also establishes a Joint Standing Commission, composed of representatives of the government and the Jewish religious denominations, to settle whatever problems arise. Minister of Education Gyula Crtutay signed the pact for the government, while Lajos Stoekler represented the Reform community and Samuel Kahan Frankel signed for the Orthodox community.
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