The Vasvári Pál Street Synagogue in Budapest is doubling down on its mission as a living, learning community. This intimate, historic shul at 1061 Budapest, 6th District – Terézváros, Vasvári Pál utca 5, welcomes visitors and regulars alike with a full slate of prayers, study sessions, lectures, and Shabbat gatherings led by Rabbi Baruch Oberlander, head of the synagogue and founder of Chabad in Hungary. As he puts it: This building was built for worship and for honoring the Torah by the leaders of the Budapest Sász Chevra. Sász Chevra means Talmud Society, so study is very strongly emphasized here.
Where and When
The Sász Chevra Synagogue (1061 Budapest, Vasvári Pál u. 5.) runs regular daily, weekly, and seasonal programs. Prayer times and classes are consistent, with additional online access on Thursdays. Organizers reserve the right to change times and programs, so check before you go.
Prayer Schedule
Friday:
– 15:50 Mincha (afternoon prayer)
– 16:20 Welcoming Shabbat with Rabbi Baruch Oberlander
– 17:10 Kiddush and dinner upstairs with Rabbi Baruch
– 18:10 Learning session with Rabbi Baruch
Shabbat (Saturday):
– 9:15 Morning prayers with Rabbi Baruch Oberlander
– 15:30 Mincha, Seudah Shlishit (third Shabbat meal), and study (Pirkei Avot), followed by Maariv (evening prayer) with Rabbi Baruch
– 16:40 Evening prayer
Sunday–Friday:
– 8:10 Morning prayers
Thursday:
– 8:10 Morning prayers with a live Zoom broadcast
Additional time notes:
– Weekday morning prayers 8:00 (Sunday to Friday)
– Kabbalat Shabbat and Kiddush 18:00 (from November throughout winter)
– Shabbat morning prayers 9:15
– Thursday morning prayers available on Zoom as well
Weekly Lectures and Study
– Mondays 21:00–22:00: Exploring the Book of Samuel with Gyuri Szabó
– Thursdays 19:30–21:00: Hebrew liturgy language learning with Rabbi Baruch Oberlander
– Thursdays 21:00–22:00: Weekly Torah portion talk with Gyuri Szabó
– Fridays 17:00–18:00: A deeper dive into the weekly Torah portion with Gyuri Szabó (followed immediately by Kabbalat Shabbat and evening prayer)
Mondays: Kabbalah and Talmud
A core feature of spring and early summer 2026 is the standing Monday night doubleheader: Kabbalah at 19:00, Talmud at 20:00, both led by Rabbi Baruch Oberlander at the Vasvári Pál Street Synagogue in Budapest. The Kabbalah class invites everyone to explore Jewish mysticism in an accessible, community format. The Talmud study that follows focuses on joint translation and analysis of Talmudic texts, opening a window into rabbinic thinking through collaborative discussion.
Upcoming Monday dates include:
– 2026.05.11: Kabbalah 19:00; Talmud 20:00
– 2026.05.18: Kabbalah 19:00; Talmud 20:00
– 2026.05.25: Kabbalah 19:00; Talmud 20:00
– 2026.06.01: Kabbalah 19:00; Talmud 20:00
– 2026.06.08: Kabbalah 19:00; Talmud 20:00
– 2026.06.15: Kabbalah 19:00; Talmud 20:00
– 2026.06.22: Kabbalah 19:00; Talmud 20:00
– 2026.06.29: Kabbalah 19:00; Talmud 20:00
– 2026.07.06: Talmud 20:00
Sász Chevra Spirit
The Vasvári community draws on the legacy of the Budapest Talmud Society—Sász Chevra—placing learning at the heart of synagogue life. As Rabbi Oberlander underscores: This building was built for worship and for honoring the Torah by the leaders of the Budapest Sász Chevra. Sász Chevra means Talmud Society, so study is very strongly emphasized here. That ethos threads through everything: daily prayers, winter Friday night transitions into Shabbat with Kiddush, and the extensive weekly calendar of classes and guided text study.
Plan Your Visit
The address is central—1061 Budapest, Vasvári Pál utca 5—right in Terézváros, making it easy to drop in for morning prayers, settle in for a Friday evening Kiddush and dinner upstairs, or spend Monday nights moving from mysticism to legal dialectics. Thursday morning prayers are also streamed on Zoom for those joining from home or traveling. There are 29 listed program entries across the season, and while consistency is the rule, the organizers reserve the right to adjust times and details as needed. Keep an eye on updates, and come ready to learn.
