A packed calendar from the Unified Hungarian Jewish Congregation (EMIH) brings learning, music, theater, food, walks, and holidays under one roof across Budapest, Kecskemét, Szentendre, and beyond. Book fast—tickets go quickly!
June 7: Kids, Challah, and Community
Zsiliputi Jewish Sunday School returns to the Zsilip Center with a revamped program for ages 4–14 from 10:00 to 12:30. A two-level playhouse and study rooms host age-group sessions where kids prep for holidays, learn about mitzvot, explore traditions, and absorb the values that shape a lifetime—perfect whether you’re tiny, a tween, or pre–Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
Also on June 7, the Mega Challah Bake – One Recipe, Many Generations rolls in as one of the year’s most anticipated communal cooking events. Social media phenom Lili Lantos and her mother lead the braiding and bring the vibe. Expect spirited singing too—Liora arrives to get everyone joining in. After ticket purchase, you’ll get a form by email to choose your braiding team. Generations bake together—don’t miss it.
June 8–9: Kabbalah and Stage Legends
Mondays at 19:00, Rabbi Baruch Oberlander teaches Kabbalah at the Vasvári Pál Street Synagogue (Budapest, Vasvári Pál u. 5, 1061).
A Theater History Quiz night spotlights Jewish stage icons Kálmán Latabár, Juci Komlós, and József Székhelyi. Theater historian Ágnes Szebényi from the Bajor Gizi Actor’s Museum serves up secrets, anecdotes, and aphorisms at the Óbuda Synagogue (1036 Budapest, Lajos u. 163). Price: about $5.50; with Haver Card: about $4.10.
On Tuesdays in Kecskemét, Tea & Torah with Rabbi Shalom Ber pairs five o’clock calm with deep study at Zsidóház Kecskemét (6000 Kecskemét, Katona József tér 12).
Memory Lab launches as a “mental aerobics” training, especially for 50+, but open to all. Led by Éva Janzsó, it tackles name-finding fog, recall speed, attention, speech, logic, and processing speed with playful, tailored exercises that strengthen neural connections. Sessions are stand-alone—join anytime. At Óbuda Synagogue (Lajos u. 163). Price: about $5.50; with Haver Card: about $4.10.
June 11: Showbiz or Sacred Life?
(Un)Orthodox with Tzivia flips the script: this time the famed interviewer becomes the interviewee. Legendary journalist Nóra Szily grills Myers Tzivia, the Szentendre rebbetzin turned TV host of NeshamaTV, about her journey from a secular upbringing to Orthodox life, balancing family, halacha, and media. Early bird tickets are limited. Venue: B32 Gallery and Cultural Space (1111 Budapest, Bartók Béla út 32). Filming and accessibility noted.
June 14: Nightlife History Walk and Parents’ Club
“Old Party District – Pest’s Nightlife at the Turn of the 19th–20th Centuries” guides you through the vanished world of Király and Nagymező Streets—music halls, zengerájok, orfeums, and brothels that once thrived in dense clusters. Many venues’ owners, performers, and patrons were Jewish. Expect tales of Mici Senger—aka Miss Arizona—and links to Alfonzó and György Cziffra, plus spicy stories and vivid characters. Guide: Péter Aradi. The walk can be done in a wheelchair with light help; filming may occur.
Parents’ Club dives into “Teens in Summer—How Do I Keep Them Safe?” for ages 12–18. Teacher Julianna Gaál kicks off a practical debate: freedom vs. safety, phones, communication, responsibility, and dealing with slip-ups. Every participant takes home a themed gift. Venue: Zsilip (1137 Budapest, Újpesti rakpart 1). Price: about $5.50. The building is accessible after a small step at the entrance.
Also June 14 in Szentendre: “Protecting Women? Self-Defense!” Join for crafts, light learning, relaxed conversation, and nourishing bites as the community preps for upcoming holidays. Venue: Zsidóház Szentendre (2000 Szentendre, Pátriarka u. 6).
June 15–18: Regular Learning and Communal Baking
Kabbalah with Rabbi Oberlander continues Mondays at 19:00, Vasvári Pál u. 5.
June 18 in Szentendre: a Thursday bake in Tzivia’s kosher home kitchen makes Shabbat prep a shared experience—because food made with love tastes best. Venue: Zsidóház Szentendre (Pátriarka u. 6).
June 20: Night of Open Synagogues + Bus Tours
Tied to the Night of Museums, Night of Open Synagogues welcomes visitors to Óbuda, Újbuda, Buda Castle, Vasvári Pál, Zsilip, and Szentendre. Hear their histories—and don’t miss Havdalah ceremonies:
– Óbuda Synagogue (22:00–24:00): 22:00 Havdalah with Rabbi Slomó Köves; guided tours at 22:15, 22:45, 23:00.
– Downtown Synagogue Walk: meet 22:00 at Vasvári Pál; Havdalah and tour with Rabbi Baruch Oberlander; continue to Kazinczy Street Synagogue, with kosher flódni treats.
– Vasvári Pál, Zsilip, Buda Castle, Újbuda, and Szentendre synagogues open 22:00–24:00, with Havdalah and guided tours; Zsilip includes mikveh presentations; Buda Castle features foosball and talks with Rabbi Asher Faith; Újbuda hosts Rabbi Isaac Stell’s lecture.
Synagogue Tour – Night Special Bus (Night of Museums wristband and preregistration required) adds guided routes, insights into tradition, and flódni:
Route 1: Óbuda → Szentendre → back to Óbuda (Havdalah, tours).
Route 2: Újbuda → Óbuda → Buda Castle (Havdalah and tours).
Route 3: Zsilip → Vasvári Pál → Újbuda (Havdalah and tours).
June 22–30: Keep Learning Rolling
Kabbalah on Mondays at 19:00 (Vasvári Pál u. 5) and Tea & Torah every Tuesday in Kecskemét (Katona József tér 12).
June 24 at Brooklyn Bagel (1137 Budapest, Újpesti rakpart 1): Book event—Michael Calvin & Naftali Schiff: Miracle – Hungarian Boys Who Escaped the Gas Chamber. On October 10, 1944, 800 boys aged 13–17 were marched to Auschwitz’s Crematorium V with “gestorben” stamped on their papers after Dr. Josef Mengele’s selection. Fifty-one Hungarian boys emerged alive—the only known case of escape right at the gas chamber’s mouth. Six testimonies finally see daylight, offering strength, hope, and faith through the incomprehensible.
June 28–July 6: Campfire, Camp Balaton, Kabbalah
June 28: Chill & Camp for teens at Aqua-Relle Dunakanyar (2022 Tahitótfalu, Dunaparti u. 12). Camp out, cook over fire, kayak, canoe, sunbathe, and decompress by the river with friends. Price: about $27.70.
July 5–16: Camp Balaton International Jewish Youth Camp opens registration for Jewish kids seeking a supportive, joyful community where identity is lived naturally—no strict observance required. Four age groups, safety-first, all-inclusive program for Hungarian participants: about $361. The fee covers full board with 4–5 daily meals, on-site programs, excursions, a camp T-shirt, and group transfers between Budapest (airport or railway) and Camp Balaton. Additional aid is available for families in need.
July 6: Kabbalah with Rabbi Oberlander, 19:00, Vasvári Pál u. 5.
