Religion, Youth

Find Your Jewish Way

About this project

This project mainly promotes the pluralistic religious approach and the alternative synagogue Shabbat observance among the younger generations. Typically, we organize two types of Shabbat receptions for young people: one has mainly Hungarian rabbis and religious leaders, active in communities abroad and belonging to different Jewish branches – Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox - leading the prayers and the following traditional Shabbat dinner that usually includes teachings. The other type is a grassroots community prayer, dinner, and learning organized and led by young members of the community.

Why is it important?

Traditional Orthodox and Neolog services in Hungary rarely manage to attract young people from high schools and universities. However, the practices of Szarvas International Jewish Camp prove that this age group would welcome such opportunities if the place, the atmosphere, the company, and the program were appropriate. The project inspires establishing a much more vibrant and active community than the current one in Hungary. Instead of joining any particular branch, it encourages the cognition and acceptance of all existing ones.

Why is it special?

It represents a significant change in the typical community practice as well as in the religious approach in the Hungarian Jewish community. It does not promote joining a certain affiliation or an already existing community but represents the values of religious pluralism urging people to try or even mix and match the different denominations. This project fosters active participation and selection of choice. Before COVID, grassroots initiatives organized several Shabbat receptions mostly led by people who – according to their admission – never thought they would have one day led a synagogue ceremony. Probably, the most compelling message of the project is that if you can't find a synagogue community where you feel at home, go ahead and start your own.