In Budapest: interpreting Jewish values in secular social action and human rights

September, 2016

When walking through the beautiful and well reserved streets of Budapest, with it’s spectacular architecture, monuments, cafes and public spaces, it’s almost hard to comprehend the economic crisis that Hungarians are facing and that seems to fuel more and more radical nationalism. 

​

Government, state institutions and the political elite has backed out of offering long-term solutions to multiple social challenges such as homelessness, child poverty, Roma integration, the refugee situation and fighting segregation and discrimination. NGOs and the civil society are trying to take the lead and try to deal with these great load of social issues.

 

It’s interesting to discover that most of the initiatives and actions focusing on social problems come from NGOs and informal groups in the Jewish community. The Jewish society’s active role in public affairs and the public discourse in Hungary is mainly through strong Jewish individual representation in NGOs and movements working towards social justice.

 

On Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat at Aurora centre in Budapest, I found a rare and fascinating combination of Jewish tradition and social action. Aurora is the flagship project of Marom Budapest that serves as a roof organisation for 70 (!) civil society organisations. Aurora is truly trying to create a secular Jewish framework for a wider cultural and social engagement. At Kabbalat Shabbat we set together with participants of a gathering on human rights and the mission of Judaism organised by Marom Olami, discussing where justice meets Judaism in different Jewish texts, trying to understand how we can interpret our Jewish values and religious traditions in secular social action and human rights.

Aurora draws Jews and non-Jews that care about their society and that take action. Aurora’s Bankito festival, draws literally thousands of Jews and non-Jews to a dynamic Jewish festival in Hungary focused on social justice. 

 

And they are not the only ones understanding that the social action is the key to draw young Jewish adults. Balint Haz JCC motivation is to elicit a positive Jewish identity, and they are doing that also by welcoming non-profits serving a wide array of Hungarians from all backgrounds — the LGBT population, people with disabilities, migrants and refugees and more. JDC is also supporting “MORE Projekt”, a Roma-Jewish youth leadership training program initiated by young madrichim. Mozaik Jewish Community Hub, a JDC initiative, serves as a professional platform for Jewish organisations and grassroots initiatives, offering infrastructure, co-working space, customized professional support, learning opportunities and financial support. One of the grassroots initiative that receives support is Donation taxi, A social startup initiative that collects donations in Budapest and redistributes them in poor regions of Eastern Hungary. Haver Foundation, that works in the Mozaik Hub, works to combat prejudice and discrimination and to promote social cohesion through dialogue, training, education and advocacy.

 

All these organisations understand that this is what young people, including young Jews, care about. Making a positive impact in their society and in the world. It allows them a unique opportunity to work with a new generation that doesn’t share the traumas of the Holocaust or Communism, and that they don’t have much time before their potential audience loses interest, assimilates or emigrates due to the difficult economic and political situation in Hungary.

 

And to leave you on a different note, Jewish organisations not only leave the door open in social action initiatives, but also Jewish culture. In Budapest everyone can take part in the renewed celebration of Jewish culture. In the same day I visited Budapest, I went to two different Jewish festivals that were open and targeted to the general public. The first was a Jewish street festival, organised by Balint Haz JCC, and the second was a Jewish culture festival that took place in different synagogues all over the city all along the week. We went to the grand finale at Dohany Synagouge. Enjoy the pics!