A SENSE OF JEWISH PAST –
OUR SPECIAL JEWISH HERITAGE
Judaism in Hungary will never return to its historical significance after the murder of almost 600,000 Jewish citizens in the Holocaust. The destruction of almost all Jewish communities and the continued anti-Semitism under communism forced many Jewish survivors to emigrate to Israel. The same state that journalist and writer Theodor (Tivadar) Herzl, born in the Budapest district of Elisabeth Town in 1860, created and fought for as the homeland of the Jewish people.
In the course of a visit to what is today known as District VII, Contact Incentives will introduce you to both historical sites of remembrance and evidence of the recent resurgence of Jewish life in Budapest.
Remembering past heroes – Synagogue & History Tour
The Great Synagogue on Dohány utca was designed by Lajos Förster in the moorish style and has been restored to a state befitting Europe's largest Jewish place of worship. Thanks to the Emanuel Foundation for Hungarian Culture, established by Hollywood star Tony Curtis, the ten-year rebuilding project uncovered hundreds of new examples of the destruction and horror caused by Nazi and communists oppressors. The adjoining Jewish Museum was built on the site of the birthplace of Tivadar Herzl and boasts a unique collection of valuable Jewish relics, as well as a permanent exhibition on the Holocaust in Hungary.
Preserve and Proceed – Jewish Culture Tour
The district of Erzsébetváros (Elisabeth Town) stands at a major crossroads. In addition to gems of art nouveau, classicist and eclectic architecture, a walk through the narrow streets of the former Jewish ghetto will pass by an increasing number of modern buildings that disrupt the coherent character of the district. The famous Gozsdu Courtyard remains largely unchanged on the outside, yet behind its refurbished façades lie a stylish residential and shopping complex. There is no shortage of resistance to these rapid developments, but they are all part of the blossoming multi-cultural ambiance the district is increasingly becoming known for.
GET IN TOUCH
We would be delighted to put together a tour of Jewish Budapest specific to you, complete with a specialist guide well versed not only in local Jewish history, but also in what it means to live as a Jew in Budapest today.
