The so-called New Synagogue of Szeged monumental building in Szeged (built in 1900–1902)Another synagogue: the synagogue of Eger (built in 1911–1913). It was also a colossal work of its time, but it was demolished in 1967, so only a few black and white photographs testify to its existence.
This List of synagogues in Hungary contains active, otherwise used and destroyed synagogues in Hungary. This article 'contains synagogues' built in the historical Hungary area, broken down by county. Most of the synagogues listed are no longer in use or have other non-religious functions, and some have been demolished.
At the beginning of the 20th century, there were Jewish communities in many settlements of the Kingdom of Hungary, which eventually built their own church, synagogue. Most of these buildings were built with extremely sophisticated artistic exterior and interior designs. There were many Classicist style, many Romantic, many Eclectic and some Art Nouveau. It was designed to be more monumental in size to show the greatness and richness of the equalized and enriching Jewry of the turn of the century - similar to the churches of the Christian churches of the time.
However, during World War II, several synagogues were destroyed or significantly damaged. There has never been a central register of the properties of decentralized and autonomous communities, says Gusztáv Zoltai in 2010, the managing director of Mazsihisz (Association of Jewish Communities in Hungary).[1] After World War II, much was demolished. Many buildings could not be maintained by the local Jewish community, whose membership dropped significantly due to the Holocaust and were sold to municipalities in the 1950s and 1960s. Several of the buildings sold in this way were renovated for cultural purposes - but there were some that were used as warehouses without any preservation. Some were transformed into shops and not one was demolished, as the simplistic architectural trends of the era did not favor the more ornate styles of the past.[2] Examples are the huge Eger Synagogue,[3] a Makó Neological Synagogue[4] and Salgótarján synagogue.[5] The memory of the destroyed Hungarian synagogues is now only photos and postcards. The situation is similar with other parts of the Carpathian Basin belonging to historical Hungary. (Southern Region, Croatian Territories, Highlands, Transylvania, Transcarpathia)
The list of Hungarian synagogues is not necessarily complete, as only a negligible number of sources testify to the existence of some synagogues. Edited by Péter Újvári in 1929, Budapest lists' 'Hungarian Jewish lexicon' 'lists several Hungarian settlements where a synagogue existed at the time of the book' s publication. Larger research into the still standing and already destroyed buildings began during the change of regime. In 1989 László Gerő Synagogues in Hungary, in 2005 Hedvig Podonyi Synagogues in Hungary published photo albums. Larger than all this is Rudin Klein's 2011 book Synagogues in Hungary 1782–1918, who devoted no less than 678 pages to the issue. In 2019, 162 still existing synagogues were identified in a study organized by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which "which is roughly a quarter of the number of synagogues before World War II." If this estimate is correct, there were more than 600 synagogues in Hungary before 1939, and it seems that this number' 'does not include' 'many of the previously annexed Hungarian territories. synagogue. "During the trip, [of the participants of the research tour] managed to visit 138 of the 162 buildings listed. Roughly 10,000 photos were taken and many synagogues were fully documented, and accurate floor plans were made for several buildings, such as the synagogue in Abony, Baja, Keszthely or Kővágóörs."[6]
Budapest
There are several synagogues in the Hungarian capital. Some of them work, some are not in religious use. It has recently undergone several major renovations.
In 1989, it was the first synagogue to be renovated while retaining its sacred character. During the restoration, a library was converted from the building, but it is seen in its original condition as a fridge cabinet and bima (lake reading platform) and also provides space for community celebrations. The renovation work was awarded the Europa Nostra Award. [9]
After the destruction of Makó Jewry in World War II, the synagogue lost its former role. In the 1950s and 1960s, several ideas were born for recycling, but they were eventually dismantled.
It was used as a munitions depot in World War II and was then blown up by retreating German troops in December 1944.[79] The ruined remains of the building were blown up and cleaned up in 1950.
After World War II, the number of members of the community declined. The building was sold to the village in 1952. It has been used for worldly functions for decades. It's been empty for a long time. [88]
The example of Nagykőrös shows the possibility of the fate of the synagogues. György Feldmájer, the then leader of the Nagykőrös community - the father of Péter Feldmájer, the later president of Mazsihisz - refused to sell the synagogue either on request or under threat. In return, central support was withdrawn, and maintenance costs were borne by the family and the local community for decades from their own coffers.[1] In use.
The building of the synagogue in Ócsa did not remain, but the covenant was dismantled and sent to the Hungarian Jewish Museum, where it was hoped for its gracious preservation. In the museum, the fridge cabinet was assembled and, according to an album made in 1949, was incorporated into the exhibition. His cubicle was covered with a Polish parokhet (torah curtain) from the collection of Béla Lajta, and a Hanukkah menorah from a Polish synagogue was placed in front of him. On both sides it was surrounded by former candlesticks of the Arad community. Unfortunately, the locker is no longer in the museum's collection (2010).[90]
The synagogue was built by the Tafler-Györgyey family. Neológ synagogue had been located in Pest-Pilis-Solt-Kiskun county, Hungary. 17 Jews had lived in the town in 1785. From 1910 that number increased to 110. In 1941, there were 30 Jews and 12 Christians of Jewish descent. The congregation had 27 members in 1944. The synagogue went through tough times in the second World War, but it survived the war. With the advent of communism, it became a warehouse. After its use the building became dangerous for usage and was demolished.
The historical value of the Jewish community of the same age as Óbuda was already known, in 1943 some of the surviving historical documents had already been collected by the employees of the Hungarian Jewish Museum. In 1947, the Jewish central leadership was brought to the attention of the synagogue's endangered values, but despite their warning, the synagogue was demolished not long after. [96]
At the time of a 1955 erection, the building was no longer standing. The new owner built a house for himself from the material of the demolished synagogue, in its place.
The synagogue was probably blown up by the Arrow Cross. The new owner built a house for himself from the material of the demolished synagogue, in its place.[1]
(szerk.) Gerő László: Magyarországi zsinagógák, Műszaki Könyvkiadó, Budapest, 1989, ISBN 963-10-8231-8
Szegő György – Szegő Dóra: Zsinagógák, Budapest Főváros Önkormányzata Főpolgármesteri Hivatala, Budapest, 2004, ISBN 963-9170-83-6
Podonyi Hedvig: Zsinagógák Magyarországon, Viva Média Holding, Budapest, 2005, ISBN 963-761-972-0
Klein Rudolf: Zsinagógák Magyarországon 1782–1918, TERC Kft., Budapest, 2011, ISBN 9789639968011
P. Brestyánszky Ilona: Budapest zsinagógái, Ciceró Könyvkiadó, Budapest, 1999, ISBN 963-539-251-6
Zsidó emlékek Tolna megyében
Pusztay Sándor: Zsinagógák Szlovákiában – Zsinagógák, zsidó temetők, emlékhelyek, Kornétás Kiadó, 2018, ISBN 9786155058929
Gazda Anikó: Zsinagógák és zsidó községek Magyarországon. Térképek, rajzok, adatok, MTA Judaisztikai Kutatócsoport, Budapest, 1991, ISBN 963-7450-11-4 online
Report on the Expeditions to Hungary and the complete list of extant synagogue buildings in Hungary by the Center for Jewish Art at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem