The Óbuda Synagogue has mapped out a busy late-2025 season in Budapest, offering weekly Torah talks, kids’ afternoons, brain-boosting workouts, and an exclusive Hanukkah cooking school. From Friday nights to midweek meetups, the program blends tradition, community, and a bit of krav maga for good measure.
Weekly Torah, Twice a Week
Rabbi Slomó Köves anchors the calendar with his ongoing lecture series every Friday evening and Saturday morning under the banner Weekly Portion through the Lens of Jewish Philosophy. These sessions run throughout November and early December, giving both regulars and drop-ins a chance to catch the weekly parashah with a philosophical twist. Dates include October 31; November 1, 7–8, 14–15, 21–22, and 28–29; and December 5–6. All events take place in Budapest at the Óbuda Synagogue.
Memory Lab: Mental Aerobics for Everyone
MEMÓRIALABOR — Memory Training lands several Monday slots, starting November 3 at 11:00, then returning November 17 and December 1. Led by memory trainer Éva Janzsó (also referenced as Janzsóné Bolyóczki Éva), the sessions present memory work as mental aerobics designed to keep cognitive functions fit through game-oriented exercises. Think sharper recall, stronger concentration, clearer speech, better attention, logical thinking, and quicker processing speed.
The training builds neural connections by strengthening links between brain cells. Tasks can be done individually or in groups and are tailored to participants’ needs and abilities. The program doesn’t stack—each session stands alone—so newcomers can join anytime. Past Memory Lab participants are warmly invited back.
While the curriculum was initially crafted for adults over 50, all age groups are welcome. The trainer, running courses since 2016, notes growing interest from people in their fifties who already feel the classic glitches: missing names, misplaced items, uncertainty about whether something was turned off or locked up. The explanation is familiar—brain processing slows with age, and the regions responsible for fast responses are hit hardest. As one guiding quote puts it: Memories are like winding paths between brain cells. The well-trodden path remains; the road barely walked overgrows and disappears.
The takeaway is blunt: without practice, the mental screws rust, opening the door to decline. Regular training keeps the mind fresh. A November 3 session lists pricing: 2,000 HUF (about 5.50 USD), or 1,500 HUF (about 4.10 USD) with a Haver Card.
KiddieTime: Music, Hebrew, and Krav Maga
Every Wednesday from 16:30 to 18:00, Óbuda dedicates the afternoon to children aged 3–10 with KiddieTime on November 5, 12, 19, 26, and December 3 and 10. The three-part structure mixes culture, language, and movement. First up: a music session for kids with parents. Next, playful learning about Judaism for the children while parents slip away to a Hebrew-language mini-course. Then everyone reunites to finish strong with a dose of krav maga. It’s balanced, energetic, and cleverly designed to give both generations something of their own before bringing them back together.
Hanukkah, Cooked to Perfection
On December 3, the synagogue hosts Yiddish Kitchen — For Holidays: an exclusive Hanukkah cooking school led by food blogger Tamara Cserháti and rebbetzin Tzivia Myers. Building on the buzz from a Rosh Hashanah edition earlier in the season, this hands-on class dives into the next holiday’s greatest hits. The broader series covers Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, Purim, and Passover: the fish head, doughnuts, Haman’s ears, and the Seder—what we eat, when we eat it, and how to make it properly.
The Hanukkah menu is full-on celebratory. Starters feature dual latkes—one zucchini, one pumpkin—split between teams. The main course is mint-and-zhug lamb chops. Dessert goes North African with sfenj, the airy Moroccan doughnut that practically defines holiday indulgence. Price: 25,000 HUF (about 68.50 USD), or 22,500 HUF (about 61.70 USD) with a Haver Card. In true school style, each dish is learned and cooked on the spot.
When and Where
– Torah lectures by Rabbi Slomó Köves: October 31; November 1, 7–8, 14–15, 21–22, 28–29; December 5–6. Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.
– MEMÓRIALABOR — Memory Training: November 3 at 11:00; November 17; December 1. Open to all ages; drop-in friendly.
– KiddieTime: Wednesdays 16:30–18:00 on November 5, 12, 19, 26; December 3, 10. Ages 3–10 with parent participation built in.
– Yiddish Kitchen — Hanukkah edition: December 3. Full festive menu with hands-on cooking.
All programs take place in Budapest at the Óbuda Synagogue. Whether you’re after deep dives into the weekly Torah portion, a midweek family recharge, sharper recall, or a perfectly crisp latke, the calendar has your next step mapped out.
