The JCC Budapest — Bálint Ház serves a diverse range of needs and interests. With more than 3,500 monthly visitors and 120 in-house programs, we are the beating heart of Budapest’s Jewish community. We are also the entry-point for Hungarian Jews who want to learn about their Jewish heritage after decades of fear and secrecy. At JCC Budapest, we celebrate Judaism openly and without shame. With rising antisemitism, we are a gathering place for Jews who seek companionship and a place to connect, learn, and celebrate Judaism. No matter what, we are committed to a strong Jewish future in the heart of Europe.
We carry out programs under three distinct pillars – knowledge, action, and experience.
The JCC Budapest’s educational programming places a strong emphasis on acquiring Jewish knowledge and building a Jewish skillset, particularly in the context of customs, holidays, and embracing religion in the 21st century.
HOLIDAYS
For Rosh Hashana, Sukkot, Hannukah, Tu Bishvat, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot, JCC Budapest hosts events at the house for our community to come together and celebrate as one. We also offer a DIY Judaism toolkit to reintroduce Jewish holiday celebrations at home. With the help of our interactive online platforms and take-home holiday toolkits, we are providing an accessible and meaningful way for individuals to celebrate the holidays in their own way, at home with family and friends.
AMBASSADORS PROGRAMS
We mentor community lay leaders to represent the JCC in their circles and encourage their friends to join us in living Jewishly. Our educational workshops take place before each holiday to prepare holiday ambassadors with the tools to host Jewish gatherings and share their experiences on social media.
OPEN UNIVERSITY
The Open University program offers bi-weekly lectures designed to deepen Jewish knowledge and intellectual engagement. These sessions cater to adults aged 40+, who gain access to foundational Jewish teachings often missed earlier in life, and young adults aged 16+, who are encouraged to explore complex questions about Judaism and their identity. Together, these lectures provide a vibrant and inclusive space for lifelong learning, attracting approximately 25 regular attendees.
Tikkun Olam is a top priority for us at JCC Budapest. JCC Budapest’s vision is for our Jewish community to be an integral part of Hungarian society. To this end, we take action to strengthen our Jewish community but also to support other minorities in Hungary, including the LGBTQIA+ and Special Needs communities.
VOLUNTEERING
JCC Budapest places an emphasis on engaging and maintaining volunteers by providing regular opportunities for them to support our work in the community. Our Mitzvah Program is two months long and educates teens about the significance of Tikkun Olam and assists them in taking action in the greater community.
LGBTQIA+
JCC Budapest is a proud supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community. We participate in annual pride marches in both Budapest and Pécs and host our own events in partnership with Budapest Pride and Pécs Pride. With the help of the EU and the European Educational and Cultural Executive grant, we provide programming to bring together Jewish and Queer communities, for example, through Shabbat dinners.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Every Monday for eighteen years, JCC Budapest has offered a dance program called All Hearts that teaches Israeli dance to adults with disabilities. The program was created to help this community access positive social interactions, personal growth, and fun. All Hearts is about more than just dance, and each week we welcome approximately 40 individuals. We also include our All Hearts Community in JCamp and Camp Szarvas.
We are providing meaningful and engaging opportunities for individuals to experience Jewish life in Budapest. These experiences are our largest events that reach the greatest number of participants. We want our community to experience fun in their Jewish identity.
FILM FESTIVAL
This JCC-organized event attracts over 4,500 people to the largest showcase of Jewish and Israeli films in Hungary. Our festival screens international and Israeli films while hosting a series of related programs, including panel discussions and talkbacks with producers and directors.
JUDAFEST
Judafest is the JCC’s signature event and Budapest’s largest Jewish festival. The event includes a full day of activities with over 14,000 participants of all ages. With culinary demonstrations, musical performances, and a crafts market, Judafest brings to life the character and ambiance of Budapest’s old Jewish quarter. This annual event also brings together many organizations from the community – Jewish and other.
SHAVUOT
An evening of learning to celebrate Shavuot is a longstanding tradition of the JCC. The JCC community gathers for study, discussion, cultural programming, and culinary workshops. This evening is extremely enjoyable and enriching for our 300+ annual attendees and lasts until nearly 2am.
The Shalom Club provides a wide range of programs for its 200 members — the seniors and Holocaust survivors of our community. Members participate in a variety of activities and games, but most importantly have an opportunity to socialize.
In Budapest, support for the retiree community is limited so we step in. We are creating a community and a support system for one of the most vulnerable communities in Budapest and doing all we can to ensure their mental and physical wellbeing. JCC Budapest’s most enthusiastic and committed members are the Shalom Club seniors.
