A Budapest synagogue founded in 1870 and silent for more than a decade has reopened as a community led by teenagers. Its rabbi, in his early thirties, is its oldest regular worshipper.
Tagged: Jewish Youth Synagogues Jewish
What happened
The Dessewffy Street synagogue in Budapest has reopened after more than ten years without religious services. The 150-year-old congregation now serves the youth community of the CTeen movement, the Chabad network for teenagers, and the teenagers themselves lead the community and organize its activities.
The details
Jewish porters and coachmen of the neighbourhood established the congregation in 1870, in a building that had previously been a stable. A cheder, a traditional Jewish elementary school, and youth programmes later operated at the site. Orthodox Jewish life continued there for decades under Laszlo Herzog, who drew local young people into the community; after his death the congregation declined and services stopped. The reopened synagogue is led by Rabbi Tzvi Bassman, a Chabad emissary in his early thirties and, as he notes, its oldest regular worshipper. The officeholders, community leaders, and organizers of daily activities are the teenagers themselves.
Why it is recorded here
The revival of a historic congregation by its youngest members is a notable turn in European Jewish life. This post records the reopening as United with Israel reported it on October 19, 2026; the source link on this page leads to the report.
Related on This Site
Art Entry
The Torah Ark and Its Ornaments
The ark that houses the scroll, and the silver that dresses it; crown, shield, pointer, and finials: ceremonial art at the center of synagogue worship, governed by the principle of beautifying the commandment.
Language
Biblical Hebrew
The original language of the Hebrew Bible, preserved in the square script with Tiberian vocalization, and still the language of Jewish prayer.
Library
St Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology
An open-access, multi-author theological reference with advanced articles on Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
Prayer or Creed
Amidah
The standing prayer at the center of every Jewish prayer service, recited silently while standing.
Prayer or Creed
Birkat HaMazon
The Grace After Meals, a set of blessings of thanksgiving recited after eating a meal with bread.
Prayer or Creed
Kaddish
An Aramaic prayer sanctifying God's name, best known in its form recited by mourners.
Prayer or Creed
Shema
Judaism's central affirmation of the one God, drawn from Deuteronomy 6:4 and recited morning and evening.
World View
Judaism
Judaism is the covenant faith of the people of Israel: one God chose them, gave them his Torah, and calls them to holiness and justice in this world.