Historic Budapest Synagogue Reopens After Decades as Communist-Era Newspaper Storage

The historic Rákosfalva synagogue in Budapest's 15th district has been rededicated after decades of disuse. The building, originally constructed in 1926 by Rabbi Michael Dushinsky, had been seized by the Communist state after the Jewish community was deported to Auschwitz during World War II and later served as a newspaper storage facility for the Hungarian National Library. The restoration effort was spearheaded by the Association of Hungarian Torah Observant Communities, led by Chief Rabbi Shlomo Koves, aiming to reclaim buildings confiscated from the Jewish community. The renovation was funded by American businessman Igor Tultchinsky and utilized artificial intelligence based on a faded post-WWII photograph to reconstruct the original appearance.

The rededication ceremony, held last week, was attended by descendants of Rabbi Dushinsky, many of whom now reside in Israel. His grandson, also named Rabbi Michael Dushinsky, expressed mixed emotions about life in the diaspora. István Szabó, Hungarian Deputy State Secretary for Religious Affairs, was present and reiterated the Hungarian government's zero tolerance for antisemitism. Rabbi Koves stated that the synagogue's return to its original purpose signifies the healing of a deep historical wound for the Jewish people.

This reopening marks the sixth such building returned to the community in Budapest, out of approximately twenty confiscated structures. The event occurred during "Synagogue Week," which also saw the reopening of the historic Dessewffy Street synagogue, belonging to the Orthodox community and closed for fifteen years. This latter synagogue is slated to become the world's first synagogue fully managed by teenagers under 18, through the C-Teen youth movement and Rabbi Tzvi Bismann.

The revitalization efforts occur amidst a complex reality for Hungarian Jews. Rabbi Koves noted an increased interest in tradition among assimilated local Jews since October 7th, but also a rise in antisemitic incidents since the end of Viktor Orbán's tenure. He cited an incident where his son-in-law was verbally attacked on public transport by a Turkish student, who is reportedly facing deportation. Despite these challenges, Koves emphasized that personal security in Budapest remains strong, allowing Jews to move about the city safely, even while observing their religious practices.