Thriving Jewish Budapest

Budapest has definitely become a destination place for many people eager to receive a great education or explore career opportunities. Without shadow of a doubt Hungarian capital enjoys great variety of ethnicities and religions. Historically one of the largest communities in Hungary is a Jewry. 

In the beginning of the 20th century there were around 200 thousand Jews living in Budapest, making it one of the biggest Jewish populations outside the Israel. One century later Hungary remains a welcoming home to an expanding joyous and vibrant community of Jewish expatriates.

Drawn by optimism to experience and celebrate Jewish lifestyle just like they do at home, immigrants from Israel have established community centers and Hebrew associations. Erzsébetváros (Elizabeth town) of Budapest is dotted with fascinating symbols of the Jewish culture and history. The world’s second largest synagogue is located there, on Dohány utca, known as Tabakgasse Synagogue or the Great Synagogue. However, this congregation is not the only one available for High Holiday services, the Shabbat (Sabbath), the Torah readings or special events like bar mitzvah. There are around 20 active synagogues in the Hungarian capital; some of them are outside the original Jewish quarter, like the ones in the IV district, Berzeviczy utca 8 (constructed in 1886 by Ármin Hegedűs and Henrik Böhm, reconstructed in 1909 by Lipót Baumhorn) or VIII district, József körút 27 
(Synagogue of the National Rabbinical Seminary, constructed in 1877 in Eclectic style). If a newcomer is looking for a Hebrew or English-speaking congregations, there are always people who can assist in the Jewish community centers.