“The Government and the United Hungarian Jewish Congregation (EMIH) have concluded an agreement, in accordance with which it will be recognised as a Church in the highest category”, Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén announced on Sunday at the inauguration of the new synagogue in Szentendre, near Budapest.
“This means the EMIH is automatically entitled to financing in the same manner as state and local government institutions that are performing a public service, be that with relation to education, culture, social work or any other area that affects public life”, Mr. Semjén pointed out. “According to the agreement, the EMIH will also be able to set up a military chaplain’s service within Hungary’s armed forces”, he added.
The Deputy Prime Minister said it is important that the agreement also includes the preservation and restoration of Jewish places of commemoration that no longer have congregations.
“Jewish life and culture are enjoying a renaissance in Hungary”, Mr. Semjén said. He expressed his thanks to EMIH Executive Rabbi Slomó Köves, and to head of Budapest’s Orthodox Rabbinate Rabbi Báruch Oberlander, for their major role in this through reintroducing old traditions and filling the framework that had been shocked by the tragedy of history with life.
“The Hungarian Jewry have a particularly special mission and role, and bear a uniquely diverse treasure”, he emphasised. “The Government knows this full well, and regards it as its natural duty to provide all possible assistance towards its preservation” he highlighted.
The Deputy Prime Minister also thanked the EMIH for enhancing Hungary’s good reputation throughout the world and for presenting Hungary and the opportunities open to Hungarian Jews in Hungary at international level. He also praised the fact that they have expanded their service to include the Carpathian Basin and the Hungarian diaspora. “By doing so they have provided huge and irreplaceable assistance not only to Jewish identity, but also to Hungarian identity”, he stated.
Acknowledging the activities of the Action and Protection Foundation (TEV), Mr. Semjén explained: “Hungarian and European Jews are under threat from three things. One is traditional anti-Semitism, with relation to which the Hungarian Government has a policy of zero tolerance”. “The other is inseparable from illegal mass Muslim immigration” he indicated, pointing out: “When Hungary protects is borders, it is also protecting Hungarian Jews”. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the third threat is anti-Israeli sentiment, which we can be witness to every day, for instance within the European Union.
“Hungary will never, and in no form whatsoever, be a partner to the delegitimization of Israel and the practicing of anti-Israeli politics. Hungary’s Government will take action against all forms of anti-Semitism”, Mr. Semjén underlined.
In his speech, Mayor of Szentendre Miklós Verseghi-Nagy (Fidesz-KDNP) spoke about the fact that during the course of history the city has always accepted all kinds of cultures and influences, which have enriched it and made the city more diverse. According to the Mayor, the inauguration of the new synagogue is the next step in the establishment of the city’s Jewish community, which began to be revived in the 80s and 90s, and receive new impetus following 2010.
Myers Menachem, the Rabbi of the new Szentendre synagogue and head of the Jewish cultural and community centre, told reporters that the Jewish community would like the new synagogue to be a place for growth, learning and friendship.
On Sunday, the Torahs arriving from Budapest were taken up to the new synagogue by EMIH Executive Rabbi Slomó Köves and the local Jewish community.
The 350-square-metre Cháj Gallery in the city centre is home to the synagogue, a Jewish art gallery and a kosher coffee shop.
The series of related events on Sunday ended at the ZSILIP Community Centre in Budapest’s 13th district, Újlipótváros.