For the first time in 332 years, a Bar Mitzvah was held at the Buda Castle synagogue in Hungary. Believed to have been built in the 13th century, it was damaged by war and abandoned for centuries. In 1964, it was  rediscovered and turned into a museum. Not until 2018, when it was taken over by Chabad, did it become a working synagogue again, making this a true miracle.

Services are held weekly, events are hosted often, High Holidays were packed, and a wedding will be held later this year, demonstrating real growth.

With such a complicated and often sad history, it’s hard to believe there are any Jews left in Hungary, let alone an active congregation. This gives me tremendous hope for the future. European Jews are reclaiming their roots and it’s a wonderful thing to witness.