Budapest’s Zsilip Community Center is opening its doors in 2026 with a busy, welcoming program for every age and background. Set on the Danube at 1137 Budapest, Újpesti rakpart 1 in the 13th District, the hub blends a kosher café and bagel spot with live music, theater, study circles, and a two-level playhouse—all designed to spark easy, lively connections to Jewish culture and tradition. The calendar highlights weekly Havruta study sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays, festive holiday events, and a refreshed Jewish Sunday School for kids and teens. Admission is often free with registration, and organizers reserve the right to change dates and details, so it’s worth keeping an eye on updates and signing up in advance.
Havruta Mondays: Weekly Torah and Women’s Studies
Every Monday, Havruta – House of Learning Together brings two back-to-back classes that make text study accessible and communal. At 18:30, Rabbi Sámuel Glitzenstein guides “On the Weekly Portion,” opening the parashah through questions, commentary, and lively discussion. At 19:30, Rebbetzin Sarah Nógrádi leads “The Woman’s Role in Judaism,” aimed at clearing up doubts—“question marks and exclamation marks,” as she puts it—around identity, obligations, and spiritual leadership. The tone is open and practical, with the goal of giving attendees takeaways they can bring into daily life. Monday sessions run throughout the year and are designed for halachically Jewish participants. Many events are free but require prior registration to manage space and keep the learning circles intimate.
Focus Sessions With Rebbetzin Sarah Nógrádi
On May 20 at 19:30, Havruta spotlights a dedicated evening with Rebbetzin Sarah Nógrádi, who delves into the realities and values behind women’s roles in Judaism—beyond cliché and stereotype. The session is tailored for halachically Jewish participants and free with registration. Expect a frank, empowering breakdown of sources and tradition, with space for questions and honest reflection. Even if you’re new to text study, the format welcomes learners at all stages, and you can join at any point in the year.
Shavuot at Zsilip: Torah, Ice Cream, and Shabbat
On May 22, Zsilip celebrates Shavuot for the whole family with a program that layers devotion and delight. The Ten Commandments (Tízparancsolat) will be read to mark the giving of the Torah, followed by a community raffle and an ice cream party to honor the holiday’s dairy custom. Kids get their own dedicated activities to anchor the festive mood. This year, Shavuot coincides with the eagerly awaited arrival of Shabbat, and the community will welcome it with Kabbalat Shabbat. After prayers, the Shabbat dinner will carry Shavuot’s signature flavors and themes, closing a day that balances tradition, learning, and celebration.
Zsiliputi Jewish Sunday School Returns
Zsilip’s beloved Sunday morning kids’ program returns as the Zsiliputi Jewish Sunday School, running 10:00–12:30 on May 24, May 31, and June 7. Designed for ages 4–14 (yes, teens included), the school splits into age-appropriate groups across the center’s playhouse and study rooms. Sessions prep for upcoming holidays, explore mitzvot, and get hands-on with customs and values meant to last a lifetime. Hundreds of kids who’ve spent their Sunday mornings at Zsilip still talk about the games, songs, and gently structured learning that make the hours fly. Whether your child is a tiny first-timer, marching toward their Bar/Bat Mitzvah, or already eyeing youth leader roles, the Zsiliputi Sunday School is built to meet them right where they are and grow with them.
Havruta Wednesdays: Philosophy, Halacha, and 613 Mitzvot
Wednesdays continue Havruta’s third straight year of momentum with two compact, high-content hours. At 17:30, Rabbi Báruch Oberlander leads “The Messianic Era: Philosophy and Halacha,” tackling the big questions—what redemption means, how classic sources envision it, and what that means for a life of commandment and community right now. At 18:30, Rabbi Jonatán Megyeri takes on “The Book of Mitzvot: The 613 Commandments,” guiding participants through the structure, categories, and the lived application of core obligations. Like a mini-yeshiva in the heart of the 13th District, Havruta forms small groups that reason together, question together, and grow together, turning study from a solo pursuit into a communal lifeblood.
Oberlander’s Spotlight: The Messianic Age
On May 27 at 17:30, Havruta hosts a focused learning block with Rabbi Báruch Oberlander on the age of the Messiah, threading philosophical insight with halachic substance. The session is free with registration and is open throughout the year to halachically Jewish participants looking to anchor their learning in classical sources and contemporary meaning. The address, as always: Zsilip, 1137 Budapest, Újpesti rakpart 1.
Plan Your Visit
Zsilip’s full spring-to-early-summer schedule includes Monday Havruta classes on May 18, May 25, and June 1; the May 20 evening with Rebbetzin Nógrádi; the May 22 Shavuot celebration rolling into Shabbat; Wednesday Havruta hours on May 27 and June 3; and the Zsiliputi Jewish Sunday School on May 24, May 31, and June 7. Programs are community-first, learning-centered, and family-friendly, with many events free and simply requiring advance registration. Whether you’re stopping in for a bagel and a song, a deep-dive text study, or a kid-friendly holiday craft, the Zsilip Center keeps the doors open—for knowledge, for culture, for everyone.
