In a city that has seen extremes of both ruin and redevelopment in the last 100 years, Budapest’s Jewish Quarter is a perfect depiction of past and present cohabiting and is a must-see for its unique contrasts of old and new–and sometimes, old as new. The Jewish Quarter is a network of lively, connecting streets that sit in amongst the central VII district, a neighborhood scattered with historical relics, as well as all manner of trendy drinking holes buried within the ruins of the old city. On this live, virtual walking tour with our guide Agi Antal, we’ll explore the heart of the historic Jewish quarter of Pest, visit the neighborhood’s “Golden Triangle” and get an introduction to the main synagogues, including an outside visit of the magnificent Dohany Street Synagogue, Europe’s largest. We’ll explore the origins of Pest’s Jewish community and will learn why its congregations separated and the differences between the Neolog and Orthodox communities. And we’ll hear the stories of some of the Righteous Among the Nations who saved Jews in Budapest during the Holocaust. You’ll be fascinated by the rich heritage of this thriving community, still 100,000 strong.

Agi Antal was born in Budapest in 1964, earned her BA in the Budapest Business School, and immediately started working as a guide. After having spent a year in Israel (1993), she decided to learn more about Judaism, as she was brought up in a completely assimilated family in Communist Hungary. She received her MA in the Hungarian Jewish University in the faculty of History of Jewish Culture. She specializes in guiding Jewish heritage tours in Budapest for groups like the JDC, Kivunim, DAAT, and Gil Travel.

There is no fee, but please RSVP for planning purposes. This event is held virtually on Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event. For more information, contact Program Director Ilene Tatro at itatro@cbisd.org.

CSP Partners: Beth Israel (San Diego, CA), Brotherhood Synagogue (Gramercy Park, NYC), Congregation Beth Shalom (Seattle, WA), Congregation B’nai Tzedek (Fountain Valley, CA), Congregation B’nai Israel (Tustin, CA), Jewish Collaborative of Orange County, CA, Shomrei Torah Synagogue (San Fernando Valley, CA), Temple Bat Yahm (Newport Beach, CA), Temple Beth El of South Orange County (Aliso Viejo, CA), Temple Beth Emet (Anaheim, CA), Temple Beth Ohr (La Mirada, CA), Temple Beth Tikvah (Fullerton, CA), Temple Beth Shalom (Needham, MA), Temple Beth Sholom (Santa Ana, CA), Temple Emanuel (Newton, MA), Town & Village Synagogue (NYC, NY), University Synagogue (Irvine, CA), Valley Beth Shalom (Encino, CA) & Walnut Street Synagogue (Chelsea, MA)