Budapest hosts Jewish teens from 28 countries
More than 500 young adults spend Shabbat at former site of city's Jewish ghetto
More than 500 Jewish teenagers from 28 countries gathered in Budapest, as part of the European Jewish Teen Congress.
The event was organised by EMIH (Hungarian Jewish Association) and CTeen International, the world’s largest Jewish teen network.
On Shabbat morning, the group held a pride and resilience rally at Madách Imre tér Square, the former site of Budapest’s Jewish ghetto.
The group attended workshops, explored their heritage, shared their stories and ideas and celebrated Shabbat together as one community.
Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky of Chabad World Headquarters told Jewish News: “This gathering sends a powerful message of hope. Despite everything, European Jewish teens are standing strong and growing stronger. We see how moments like this have a ripple effect. Every teen here will bring that strength home and uplift their friends and their communities.”
Chief Rabbi Rabbi Shlomo Kovesh opened the programme detailing the importance of the gathering, followed by remarks from Israel’s Ambassador Maya Kadosh. Three teens led Torah passages followed by a heartfelt prayer for the Jewish people by IDF reservist Noam Buskilla.
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