Pronunciation: [ˌaʃkənˈazɪk] (IPA) 
The word "Ashkenazic" is often spelled with a "C" at the end, although some sources do use a "K". The correct spelling actually depends on the origin of the word. "Ashkenazic" is derived from "Ashkenaz", a Hebrew term for Germany. In German, the "Z" sound is pronounced as a "ts" sound, which is why the "C" spelling is more accurate. To pronounce the word correctly, use the IPA phonetic transcription: əʃˈkɛnəzɪk (uhsh-kuh-nuh-zik).
Ashkenazic, also spelled Ashkenazi, refers to a specific ethnic group and distinctive Jewish cultural traditions associated with Jews who originated from Central and Eastern Europe. The term Ashkenazic is derived from "Ashkenaz," a biblical name that appears in the Hebrew Bible to describe a people who lived in a region referred to as Ashkenaz.
Ashkenazic Jews are descendants of Jewish communities that developed in the Rhineland during the Middle Ages and subsequently spread and flourished across Eastern Europe. The core territories of Ashkenazic Jewry include present-day Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus. Historically, Ashkenazic Jews spoke Yiddish as their primary language, which is a fusion of Hebrew, German, and other local languages.
The Ashkenazic Jewish community has a unique set of customs, religious practices, and cultural expressions that distinguish them from other Jewish denominations, such as Sephardic Jews who trace their roots to the Iberian Peninsula. Ashkenazic religious customs often follow the teachings of influential Rabbis from Central and Eastern Europe and are also known for their distinctive synagogue architecture and liturgical melodies.
Ashkenazic Jews have immensely contributed to Jewish culture, literature, music, and science throughout history. Their diaspora has resulted in Ashkenazic Jewish communities existing around the world, notably in North America and Israel. Today, the term Ashkenazic is primarily used in academic and historical contexts to denote the specific cultural and ethnic traits associated with this particular branch of Judaism.
The word "Ashkenazic" refers to the Ashkenazi Jewish tradition, which originates from Eastern and Central Europe. The etymology of "Ashkenazic" can be traced back to the Hebrew word "Ashkenaz", which is mentioned in the Bible as a descendant of Noah's grandson, Japheth. In the Book of Genesis, Ashkenaz is described as the progenitor of a group of people living in a region known as Ashkenaz, which is commonly associated with today's Germany.
Over time, Ashkenaz became a term used to identify the Jewish communities in medieval Germany and the areas influenced by German Jewish culture, including parts of France, Poland, Lithuania, and Russia. The suffix "-ic" is derived from the Latin "-icus", indicating "of" or "pertaining to".
