Aish UK recently hosted an incredible Shabbaton in Budapest, bringing together 180 secondary school students. The students, who are currently spending their summer interrailing across Europe after finishing their A-levels, joined Aish UK for an unforgettable Friday night dinner in the heart of Budapest.
Participants hailed from a diverse array of schools including Immanuel, Yavneh, JFS, JCOSS, Haberdashers’ Boys and Girls, City of London, and North London Collegiate, among others. The event began with the students gathering in the courtyard outside the shul for drinks, followed by a meaningful Kabbalat Shabbat service held at the historic Kazinczy Synagogue, built in 1913. The presence of over 180 attendees marked the largest gathering in the synagogue since before the Holocaust, creating a poignant and powerful moment of Jewish unity and continuity.
Following the service, the group moved to the Hanna Garden Restaurant, which is part of the synagogue complex, where Friday night dinner took place, with tables covering the expance of the courtyards. The atmosphere was electric, filled with good food, songs, socialising, and a profound sense of unity and community.
The evening extended beyond the meals, with students staying to socialise, play board games with fellow students and the Aish staff. The Aish UK team, led by Rabbi Rafi Stemmer and Rabbi Ari Kayser, curated an incredible weekend, creating a Jewish haven for the students and bringing them all together in one place for a special weekend in between a summer of travelling across Europe.
Ben, a student from Yavneh College said: “The Friday night dinner was a big highlight of the trip. It was really special to all be together to celebrate Shabbat in a different country. A big thank you to Rabbi Rafi for organising the weekend and to all the Madraichim who came.”
Rabbi Rafi Stemmer from Aish UK said, “It was beautiful to see students from a variety of backgrounds, affiliations, and communities, uniting to spend their Friday night together. In a city where 80 years ago Jewish life was obliterated, we demonstrated that the Jewish people are vibrant, alive, and committed to continue spreading our eternal message of light, peace, and hope to the world.”
Gabor Keszler, President of the Hungarian Jewish Community commented: “This year marks the 80th anniversary of the tragedy of the Holocaust. Now, as we remember our ancestors, I believe that all of their souls are filled with joy, as on this Shabbat the sound of Lecha Dodi sang by nearly 200 children filled the walls of the Great Synagogue on Kazinczy Street. The last time this synagogue has seen such simcha, with this many children, was in the pre-Holocaust era. We, as a community have to thank Aish UK and be grateful for giving us the opportunity to be part of this beautiful, heartwarming Shabbat.”
The success of the Shabbaton in Budapest underscores Aish UK’s dedication to fostering Jewish identity, community, and continuity among young people, even in the most unexpected places.
