Description:
*** There is a minimum requirement of 2 persons to start the tour***
Let us take you to the countryside of Hungary for a journey into the golden days of its Jewish communities in the Hassid territories from Gyöngyös to Sátoraljaújhely. Learn the history and culture from our knowledgeable guide and visit the ancient monuments of these once thriving Jewish Orthodox. We will visit a number of ancient synagogues, the notable grave of the Hassid rabbis and one of the major hubs of Hassidism in the country. There you will discover the impressive wine region of Tokaj as well.
The Synagogue of Gyöngyös (only outside visit is possible, synagogue under reconstruction):
Towards the north of Hungary is Gyöngyös, one of the oldest Jewish communities in the country with its impressive Neolog synagogue. Jewish people have been setting foot in Gyöngyös from the 15th century and had since been shaping the local culture and outlook up until around 1944. The town boasts the world-renowned synagogue with its emblematic huge dome on top of the Basilica-styled building with a Greek-cross plan.
Synagogue of Miskolc (interior visit):
Located on the east of Gyöngyös is Miskolc, one of the largest cities where Jewish culture was flourishing between the 18th and 19th century. By the 20th century, the Jewish community made up over 15% of the total population. We will visit the synagogue of Miskolc which was built in the middle of the 19th century. The initially unorthodox elements of the Synagogue infuriated the local Orthodox community and the rabbi of Miskolc was accursed. The synagogue was later re-vamped to meet the Orthodox requirements.
Mád Synagogue and rabbi house (interior visit):
The first Jewish people who settle in Mád arrived during the 18th century. In 1795, the synagogue was built in this quaint hillside town, followed by the renowned Jewish religious educational institution (known as the Yeshiva) in the early 20th century. The Yeshiva is a unique resemblance of Hungarian architecture of its time. The emblematic structure was idle for over 500 years before reconstruction was carried out in 2004.
Bodrogkeresztúr, the grave of Rabbi Steiner:
Bodrogkeresztúr is a middle age establishment with its distinctive landform and remarkable Jewish history. The first Jewish people set foot on this land in 1726 and the very first synagogue was built 41 years later. The Orthodox synagogue which we can see today in Bodrogkeresztúr was built in 1906, with the esteemed prayer house of Hasid constructed in 1920. The highlight of this town is the grave of Rabbi Steiner, which has become the famous pilgrimage for the Hassid community from all corners of the world. They gathered annually to pay respect on the 3rd day of Iyar, which marks the day of the rabbi's death.
Olaszliszka, the grave of Friedmann Cvi Hers:
The world-famous "miracle" rabbi of the 20th century Friedmann Cvi Hers was residing in Olaszliszka when he passed away on the 14th day of Av. His grave is located amidst the beautiful surroundings a riverbank and hillside. His family from America later came to refurbish the cemetery where his grave is. A monument was built in 2016 where the former synagogue of Olaszliszka once stood to pay tribute to the exiled Jewry of Olaszliszka.
Synagogue of Tokaj (interior visit):
Tokaj is not only one of the most prestigious wine region in Hungary, but also a place of Jewry importance. The earliest Jewish settlers came during the 17th century and took over the merchant roles of the Greeks as they left the place. The first synagogue in Tokaj was unfortunately damaged by a fire in the late 19th century and was layer re-constructed on the land of Emmanuel Czukker into a bigger and grander complex.
Sátoraljaújhely, the grave of Moshe Teitelbaum:
Strategically located at the junction of a number of crucial trade routes, Sátoraljaújhelys has been a place with bustling Jewish society towards the last part of the 18th century. In the early 19th century, Sátoraljaújhelys has about 1300 Jewish members, ranking it the 4th largest Jewish community in the country. The township is famed for the grave of the late Moshe Teitelbaum the Rebbe of Újhely, who was also the founder of the Hungarian Hasidism. Like the grave of Rabbi Steiner, his grave is also a famous pilgrimage on the anniversary of his passing, which falls on the 28th day of Tammuz. The cemetery is a few hundred years old now and is set on a pristine surrounding of the hillside. The Rebe’s grave is shielded by a domed ohel and a tent, which can be seen from afar.
Apparel restrictions: Clothes below the ankle and knee, hat or kipa (kippah) on the head.
The tour lasts for 10-12 hours and has a minimum requirement of 2 persons.
What's included & what's not
Price includes:
- Knowledgeable guide (tour in English)
- Transfer from hotels in Budapest
- Food: Glatt Kosher Catering (example: sandwiches with eggs, fish) if Kosher option is selected
- Food from a restaurant in Tokaj for non-Kosher option
Price does not include:
- Wine tasting at Disznókő winery (with the permission of Rabbi Yakov S. Toiv) with a symbolic amount, i.e.: with purchase of a bottle of kosher wine
Important notes:
- Apparel restrictions: Clothes below the ankle and knee, hat or kipa (kippah) on the head
- Tour available every day of the year except Saturdays, Jewish and National Holidays
- Please wait at the reception of your accommodation 30-40 MINUTES BEFORE to the start of your tour, the exact time of your pickup might vary depending on the traffic
- If your accommodation has no reception area, kindly wait outside of your accommodation for your driver
- In case you do not require the drop off service, a partial refund is not possible for the drop-off part of the service
- Please give us a contactable mobile number which we can call you while you are in Hungary, please check your email regularly for any updates from the tour operator.
- You are entitled to a refund in case your complaints reflect the errors of the organising company, provided that you have made a phone call to the tour operator at the site and time of your issue.
- Pickup and dropoff service for last minute booking are not guaranteed and subject to availability.
- Apart from the aforementioned conditions, the tour company is not liable to provide a refund. In the case of no-show, there will be no refund. Reschedule of the tour is possible (subject to availability) but without transfer service. If there is no possibility or you have to leave Budapest, the tour operator will not be able to refund the money to you
