Budapest’s oldest synagogue doubles as a symbol of a reborn Jewish community. In Óbuda, where memory once faded during the socialist decades, locals are redrawing a vibrant Jewish face for the district. The Óbuda Synagogue (Óbudai Zsinagóga) at 1036 Budapest, District 3 – Óbuda, Lajos utca 163, rolls into 2026 with talks, hands-on workshops, kid-focused afternoons, and a theater-history series that ends with a live quiz challenge. Here’s what’s on, where, and when—plus how to join in.
Where to Go
The Óbuda Synagogue (Óbudai Zsinagóga) sits at 1036 Budapest, District 3 – Óbuda, Lajos utca 163. Programs are designed for all ages, with additional practical notes on timing, accommodation, and food and drink available on-site or nearby during events.
Theater Stories: Legends on Stage, Secrets Backstage
The much-loved theater-history series returns, shining a light on three Jewish-born icons: Kálmán Latabár, Juci Komlós, and József Székhelyi. Expect secrets and backstage whispers, stories, anecdotes, and razor-sharp aphorisms delivered by returning host Ágnes Szebényi, theater historian and staffer at the Bajor Gizi Actor’s Museum (Bajor Gizi Színészmúzeum). Each session dives into a star’s life and craft before a June quiz pulls it all together.
– Juci Komlós — May 11, 10:00. A phenomenal member of a powerhouse acting dynasty with a career packed with awards, stage triumphs, and film roles. The morning asks the simplest, best question: who was she, really?
– József Székhelyi — May 27, 10:00. Beyond professional acclaim, he received the Miklós Radnóti anti-racism prize. He wasn’t ordinary as a citizen—let alone as an actor. Where did that courage come from?
– Theater Quiz — June 8, 10:00. Put your fresh knowledge to the test on Latabár, Komlós, and Székhelyi.
Tickets: 2,000 HUF (about 5.50 USD); with Haver Card: 1,500 HUF (about 4.10 USD).
Kiddie Time: Wednesdays Belong to the Kids
Every Wednesday in Óbuda, 16:30–18:00, the afternoon is for children aged 3–10. It’s music, learning, play, and movement—everything Jewish for young minds and bodies, split into age-appropriate segments.
How it flows:
– Kids and parents start together with a musical session.
– Then kids learn about Jewish life and tradition through games, while parents step into a language class to sharpen their Hebrew.
– Parents rejoin for the finale: a family-friendly krav maga segment to wrap it up with energy and smiles.
Dates: May 13, May 20, May 27, and June 3, 16:30–18:00, Budapest. Open to newcomers, returning families, and anyone curious about a playful, holistic afternoon that weaves culture, learning, and movement.
Memory Lab: Mental Aerobics for All Ages
“Memories are like winding paths between brain cells. A well-trodden way remains; where we’ve wandered only rarely, the path grows over and disappears.” Anders Hansen, Keep Your Brain Fit (Tartsd karban az agyad/Edzett agy). The Memory Lab is a mental workout primarily designed for people over 50, aiming to keep cognitive functions—memory and concentration—fit, fresh, and improving. But it’s open to all generations.
Sessions:
– May 18, Budapest
– June 1, Budapest
Expect brain-boosting drills, practical strategies, and a friendly atmosphere that turns training into a shared habit. No experience required—just curiosity and a willingness to try new pathways.
Paper Flowers for Shavuot
On May 19, doors open at 18:30 for a hands-on Shavuot craft evening guided by returning guest educator Hanna Somogyi. Shavuot—celebrating the giving of the Torah, when Mount Sinai is said to have burst into bloom—gets an artful twist: paper flowers you’ll take home as lasting reminders of the new grain, the Torah’s gift, and this year’s holiday. Somogyi brings clever techniques and simple steps; you bring your hands and a bit of spring spirit.
Tickets: 2,000 HUF (about 5.50 USD). Materials included; expect to leave with blossoms that’ll outlast the season by years.
The Big Theater Quiz
June 8, 10:00 is the showdown for theater buffs and new fans alike. After deep dives into Kálmán Latabár’s comic genius, Juci Komlós’s multifaceted legacy, and József Székhelyi’s fearless artistry and public conscience, it’s time to test what stuck. Hosted again by Ágnes Szebényi from the Bajor Gizi Actor’s Museum (Bajor Gizi Színészmúzeum), the quiz channels the series’ blend of warm storytelling and sharp facts—plus those irresistible backstage tales.
Tickets: 2,000 HUF (about 5.50 USD); with Haver Card: 1,500 HUF (about 4.10 USD).
Why It Matters
This slate isn’t just a calendar—it’s a blueprint for a community in motion. In Óbuda’s oldest synagogue, elders train memory like muscle, families sing and spar together, and audiences rediscover stage greats who shaped Hungarian culture while living visibly Jewish lives. Every Wednesday rhythm, each flower folded, every anecdote shared pushes the story forward: the face of Jewish Óbuda, alive again and looking ahead.
