Heb. The Jews of Germany and Eastern Europe.

Jews of Western or Eastern European origin

Jew of eastern or central European background

(ahsh-keh-NAH-zeem) Hebrew name given to Jews who trace their ancestry to Germany, Northern and Eastern Europe. Most American Jews are of Ashkenazic roots.

Jews of central and eastern European ancestry who were among the first settlers in Palestine ; now a minority in Israel, though they retain most major positions of power.

(sing., Ashkenazi) Jews of European origin.