From September 7 to 28, the Week of Synagogues event series will offer over a dozen programs in six cities for audiences interested in Jewish religion, culture, gastronomy, music, and community life.
According to the organizers’ statement, the event will feature artistic and culinary programs, discussions, concerts, and even religious celebrations that are open to the general public. Highlights include “Babka Bake” in Debrecen, where family recipes are brought to life through communal baking led by women, a kosher wine tasting in Budapest, and even the inauguration of a unique rural yeshiva.
One of the most prominent events is the Cholent Festival (Sóletfesztivál), to be held on September 14 in Budapest’s City Hall Square. This gastronomic celebration offers visitors the chance to taste one of Jewish cuisine’s most iconic dishes in various flavors, while also creating a shared community experience and offering deeper insights into Jewish culture.
The festival features the Cholent Ambassadors – TV host András Sváby, magician Anikó Ungár, Rebbetzin Tzívia Myers, and Rabbi Jonatán Megyeri – who each embody different facets of Jewish cultural diversity.
Organizers emphasized that the Cholent Festival is an open and inclusive space where anyone, regardless of religious background, can learn about and enjoy Jewish food and traditions.
Throughout the Week of Synagogues, many other events will welcome attendees, such as the midnight prayer service “Slichot” at the Vasvári Synagogue, and a concert by the world-famous Zorger Cantor Choir from Israel, with performances in Óbuda, Miskolc, and Kecskemét.
In Szentendre, a public Shabbat ceremony will be held, led by Rabbi Mendy Myers, allowing visitors to explore orthodox Sabbath rituals. The program also includes talks, film screenings, and pilgrimages across multiple locations, showcasing the diversity and strength of the Jewish community, the statement concluded.
