Budapest’s Zsilip Center is turning Sundays into a lively, hands-on crash course in Jewish tradition, with kids racing between a two-level playhouse and study rooms, and parents finding their own rhythm next door. The venue sits at 1137 Budapest, 13th District, Újpest Embankment (Újpesti rakpart) 1, right on the riverside. It’s all about playful learning, community, and giving children the tools and values that stick for life—through songs, stories, crafts, and games that keep them coming back week after week.
Sunday School Returns, Bigger and Brighter
The Zsiliputi Zsidó Vasárnapi Iskola (Zsiliputi Jewish Sunday School) is back with a refreshed format and a young, energetic team. Sessions run 10:00–12:30 and welcome everyone aged 4–14, from preschoolers to teens on the cusp of becoming madrichim, and those getting ready for bar/bat mitzvah. Programming is split by age group so each child gets the right pace and challenge. Together they prep for upcoming holidays, explore mitzvot, dive into customs, and absorb the values meant to carry them through life. Hundreds of kids who once spent their Sunday mornings here still talk about the adventures, the friendships, and the fun—and that’s exactly the spark this reboot aims to capture.
Key Dates You Need to Know
Mark the calendar for a steady rhythm of family-friendly weekends:
– 2026.02.15. Zsiliputi Jewish Sunday School, 10:00–12:30
– 2026.02.20. Péntekecske péntek este (Little Friday on Friday Night), family Shabbat welcome
– 2026.02.22. Zsiliputi Jewish Sunday School, 10:00–12:30
– 2026.02.27. Péntekecske péntek este, family Shabbat welcome
– 2026.03.01. Zsiliputi Jewish Sunday School, 10:00–12:30
– 2026.03.06. Péntekecske péntek este, family Shabbat welcome
All events take place at Zsilip Center, Újpest Embankment (Újpesti rakpart) 1, Budapest’s 13th District. More dates are on the way, with 14 total listings expected to roll out. Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs, so keep an eye on updates.
Little Friday: Shabbat Joy for All Ages
On select Friday evenings, the Zsiliputi playhouse hosts Péntekecske péntek este, a miniature Shabbat welcome tailored for families. While adults head to the synagogue to hear Rabbi Glitzi’s teaching, kids settle into a playful, visuals-led session with a madricha: the weekly Torah portion, Shabbat basics, and the current holiday come to life through images, stories, and games. Attentive listeners can snag small gifts, and yes—there’s even a raffle to keep the excitement buzzing. The invitation is simple: bring the whole family and let everyone learn something new on Shabbat.
Why It Works
This isn’t school with desks and chalk dust; it’s a community engine built around curiosity and movement. The two-story playhouse doubles as a launchpad for hands-on discovery, while the study rooms give each age group space to focus. Younger kids soak up songs and symbols; older ones discuss mitzvot, holidays, and the ethics that guide everyday choices. Whether you’re just starting to ask big questions or getting ready for bar/bat mitzvah, the program meets you where you are and nudges you forward—with friends, mentors, and a lot of laughter along the way.
How to Join
Just show up on Sunday at 10:00 with kids aged 4–14, or swing by on the designated Friday nights for the Péntekecske program. Everything unfolds under one roof at Újpest Embankment (Újpesti rakpart) 1. Come once, or make it a weekly ritual—either way, you’ll leave with new stories to tell and traditions that feel like your own.
