2026’s Jewish programs from the Unified Hungarian Jewish Congregation (EMIH) bring everything under one roof: Judaism, theater, music, food, learning, walks, and holidays. Multiple Budapest districts and venues are in play, along with Kecskemét and Szentendre—click in, grab tickets, and join the buzz.
Nightlife history walk: Blue Cat (Kék Macska) to Somossy Orfeum
Turn-of-the-century Pest had a nightlife quarter famous far beyond the city. This guided walk traces the remnants of long-gone venues—especially along Király Street and Nagymező Street—where locals once reveled: music halls, zengeráj joints, orfeums, and brothels stood thick on the ground. The buildings mostly still stand, though the businesses have vanished or changed function. Owners, guests, and performers were largely Jewish. Expect names like Mici Senger—better known as Miss Arizona—and links to Alfonzó and György Cziffra. The roughly 90-minute tour with guide Péter Aradi revives key characters with lively, sometimes piquant anecdotes. Wheelchair users can manage the route with light help. Date: 2026.05.26. Venue: Budapest VII, Király u. 15. Price: about $14.2; with Haver Card: about $12.8. Photo and audio may be recorded for web and social use.
Every Tuesday in Kecskemét, Tea & Torah with Rabbi Shalom Ber blends five-o’clock-tea comfort with study, aiming for clarity about the world and ourselves. Venue: Jewish House Kecskemét (Zsidóház Kecskemét), 6000 Kecskemét, Katona József tér 12. Dates: 2026.05.26., 06.02., 06.09., 06.16.
Theater tales, legends, and a quiz
On 2026.05.27., theater historian Ágnes Szebényi from the Bajor Gizi Museum continues a hit series at Óbuda Synagogue with stories about Kálmán Latabár, Juci Komlós, and József Székhelyi—secrets, backstage lore, and aphorisms included. Székhelyi, also a Radnóti anti-racist awardee, gets special focus. A follow-up quiz is set for June 8, 10:00. Venue: 1036 Budapest, Lajos u. 163. Price: about $5.7; Haver Card: about $4.3.
Kids own Wednesday afternoons in Óbuda: KiddieTime (ages 3–10) features music sessions with parents, playful Jewish learning while parents take a mini Hebrew course, then everyone reunites for a Krav Maga finale. Wednesdays from 16:30 to 18:00 at 1036 Budapest, Lajos u. 163.
Havruta learning house returns
Learning in Judaism is a worldview and a lifestyle, rooted in community. At Zsilip (1137 Budapest, Újpesti rakpart 1), Havruta resumes with small chevruta-style groups.
– Wednesdays, 17:30: The Messianic era—philosophy and halacha with Rabbi Baruch Oberlander.
– Wednesdays, 18:30: The Book of Mitzvot—613 commandments with Rabbi Jonatan Megyeri.
A parallel Wednesday 17:30 session invites halachically Jewish participants to learn about the Messianic age with Rabbi Oberlander; free with registration, join anytime. Mondays (from 2026.06.01.) add:
– 18:30: Weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Sámuel Glitzenstein.
– 19:30: The role of women in Judaism with Rebbetzin Sarah Nógrádi.
Architecture, memory, and sacred space
On 2026.05.28., at Vasvári Pál Street Synagogue (1061 Budapest, Vasvári Pál u. 5), theologian and heritage expert Dr. László Negyela explores: Who owns the temple? He tracks the Jerusalem Temple’s imprint on synagogue architecture and liturgy—allegorical, abstract, or tangible. Does Jerusalem appear in Vasvári? Note: several steps at entry; restrooms not accessible. Recording may occur.
On 2026.05.31., Stetl Jewish City Walks heads into the closed Salgótarjáni Street Jewish Cemetery (1086 Budapest, Salgótarjáni u. 6) to uncover Béla Lajta’s artistry, the turul at Vilmos Vázsonyi’s grave, and Jewish burial rites—who rests here, and since when? Dr. Negyela teams up with architect and BME associate professor Zorán Vukoszávlyev. Recording may occur.
Sunday schools, sweets, and chess
Zsiliputi Jewish Sunday School relaunches at Zsilip on 2026.05.31. and 06.07., 10:00–12:30, for ages 4–14: preparing for holidays, learning mitzvot, encountering traditions, and internalizing lifelong values—split by age groups. Venue: Újpesti rakpart 1.
Also 2026.05.31., a cake pop (sütinyalóka) workshop meets kosher confections with Szentendre rebbetzin Tzivia Myers and Óbuda chef Balázs Sepsi at Szent István Park. No heavy prep needed—just arrive hungry for sweets. Price: about $5.7.
The same day, FIDE Master Ádám Bohus takes on up to 20 challengers simultaneously in a friendly brain workout at Szent István Park. Know the rules, jump in.
Scholarship, memory training, and Kabbalah
On 2026.06.01., Professor Rachel Elior leads Blood Libels, Old and New at Röser Courtyard (Röser Udvar, Budapest, Károly körút 22). The seminar traces the construction, transmission, and legitimation of anti-Jewish narratives—legal, literary, theological—across centuries, their xenophobic underpinnings, identity impacts, and ties to movements like Hasidism. Elior, twice head of the Hebrew University Department of Jewish Thought, is the John and Golda Cohen Professor of Jewish Philosophy, with BA and PhD summa cum laude from HUJI.
Also 06.01., Óbuda Synagogue hosts MemóriaLabor—memory training as “mental aerobics,” designed chiefly for those 50+, open to all, sharpening cognition, memory, and concentration. Price: about $5.7. Address: 1036 Budapest, Lajos u. 163.
Kabbalah classes with Rabbi Baruch Oberlander run Mondays at 19:00 at Vasvári (1061 Budapest, Vasvári Pál u. 5) on 06.01., 06.08., and 06.15. A duplicate listing reaffirms the 06.15. session at the same venue and time.
Books, bagels, and more Havruta
On 2026.06.03., BOOKS “N” BAGELS turns three with a triple author-reader meet: Eszter Babarczy, Petra Finy, and Róbert Scheer join, while literary host Anna Juhász fields questions. Expect treats and gifts. Venue: Brooklyn Bagel, 1137 Budapest, Újpesti rkp. 1. Recording may occur.
Wednesdays continue with Havruta at Zsilip (see schedule above), plus KiddieTime in Óbuda (music, learning, parents’ Hebrew, Krav Maga).
Food, challah, and women’s voices
On 2026.06.07., Szentendre’s Jewish House (2000 Szentendre, Pátriarka u. 6) hosts Fusion Foods (Fúziós ételek), a thematic cooking class led by Rebbetzin Tzivia Myers (a short learning appetizer) and chef Balázs Sepsi (hands-on kitchen). Register, pay on site; registration fee about $14.2.
Also 06.07., Mega Challah Bake—One Recipe, Many Generations—brings together Lili Lantos and her mother as the faces of this beloved women’s communal bake. Singing with Liora included. After ticket purchase, you’ll receive a form to choose your braiding team. Venue: Óbuda, Lajos u. 163.
Interviews, self-protection, and community cooking
On 2026.06.11., (Un)Orthodox with Tzivia flips the script: legendary journalist Nóra Szily interviews Tzivia Myers live at B32 Gallery and Cultural Center (B32 Galéria és Kultúrtér, 1111 Budapest, Bartók Béla út 32). From a secular upbringing to Orthodox rebbetzin and TV host—she tackles the big questions. Early-bird tickets are limited. The building is accessible; recording possible.
On 2026.06.14., Women’s Protection? Self-Protection! (Nővédelem? Önvédelem!) at Szentendre’s Jewish House offers crafts, light learning, easy conversation, and soul-and-body treats while gearing up for the coming holidays.
On 2026.06.18., Szentendre gathers for a June communal bake led by Rebbetzin Tzivia, turning Shabbat prep into shared kitchen joy—because food made with love tastes better, especially for festive tables.
