Security in the Jewish quarter?

I doubt there are any problems. Hungary has a fine record of supporting Jewish Hungarians.

I live across the street from a synagogue in Budapest and have no concern for safety. Despite Hungary being one of the most pro-Israel countries in the EU, no synagogue has been attacked in Hungary since the 1940’s; a claim that the US and many EU countries can not make.

Paul-of-the-Frozen-North is accurate about illegal immigration, but legal immigration has resulted in a sizeable Middle-Eastern / Asian population and as a result Budapest has some great food and some great festivities that reflect a lot of cultures. When you get here and board the tram, you will see folks from all over the world; not just tourists, but students and expats as well.

The government has taken a hard stance against antisemitism and has enacted a number of laws to strengthen the Jewish community and ensure that they are recognized as an inseparable part of the Hungarian nation. Hate speech and symbols of hatred are not permitted.

Attitudes in Hungary are far from perfect, but in one survey by a Jewish organization Hungary was second to Italy in the quality of life for the Jewish community. In another study, second to Denmark.

Thank you both for your reassuring comments. And thank you, Mr. É, for the fuller explanation. I’m very excited about our upcoming trip!

paulesue I hope you enjoy your trip.

This is sort of related to your question, but more on the topic of social unrest and crime in general. Today is Revolution Day in celebration of the 1956 failed revolution attempt. Elections are in April and so the two spectrums of the political reality in Hungary are both holding rallies today.

Each has several hundred thousand followers in attendance today and the two opposing groups are separated by about three quarters of a mile.

They rode the same public transportation to their rallies, and they will ride the same going home. There will be no violence or threat of violence. At the expiration time of the rally permit they will pick up their trash and go home.

It is reflective of the safety and order that exists here and in a number of European countries.

I posted a short video of one of the rallies, if you are interested.

I've been 3 times to Budapest, the city of the birth of my grandmother (1905). It's a great city. Wonderful food, almost impossible language, great wine, reasonable prices, good museums (consider the Hungarian Agricultural Museum).

We will be back.

When I first went to Hungary with Tom 30 years ago, personal security for being Jewish or worrying about physical threats around the synagogue were not top of mind. Tom, a Hungarian Jew who emigrated to the US when a boy, still had cousins living there. We set up an office (which his cousin served as office manager) and later Tom got an apartment which he kept for quite a long time. Never was fear of harm a topic of conversation. What was a topic was the undercurrent of antisemitism. (If you are interested in about that, a quick search will get you plenty of material both on the history and current status. Times of Israel has a piece about orban from a few years back.)

Right now, I wouldn’t think twice about it.

Have a great trip!

Happy travels

Thank you, David, I so appreciate your comments. I’ve had some ambivalence over visiting Hungary for the reasons you mention but decided it was worth it - and I understand that Budapest has a culture of its own. Friends have raved about Budapest and it’s been on our radar for a long time. But I’ll also look more into the history and read the article you linked to.

Great city! You'll love it.

Happy travels.

Thank you!

30 years ago, 1996 would have been a very fascinating time to be here. The last russian troops left only 5 years prior, and it would be 8 years before Hungary would join the EU. It was a time when even the change of ownership of property from the state to private was still in flux. You beat me by 6 years and even then, when I arrived, much of the city was dark with cold war soot and the presence of American tourist was extremely rare. In my mind the city today does not much resemble the city I first visited either politically or aesthetically.

It would be 14 years after your coming to Budapest before my favorite Synagogue would begin locating the lost members from the holocaust and begin to build its revival. Members given away as children to Christian families for protection from the Holocaust woud be reunited with their community and religion. It was a few more years before the shul was renovated and the time of the tikkun sefer Torah.

When describing Jewish life in Budapest the Jewish News Syndicate in a 25 July 2025 opinion pieces says that … Jews can freely wear a yarmulke without being harassed, attend synagogue without metal detectors and celebrate Jewish holidays without police guarding the doors of synagogues. The government has invested millions into preserving Jewish heritage sites, restoring synagogues and funding Holocaust education not just as a formality, but as a national priority. Despite all the flaws inherent in the people and the governments of Hungary that the Jewish situation illustrates a great good that also exists in Hungary. I will have to admit that when I travel it is the good I go looking for and find enjoyment in.

If you do go to Budapest, and if the subject does interest you, then I encourage you to attend Synagogue on Saturday morning, go to a Klezmer Concert, eat a Kosher dinner or at least take the time to learn how deeply Hungarian cooking was influenced by Jewish cooking, visit the museums and monuments dedicated to the subject, seek out the signs of understanding and the signs of a lack of understanding, and if you can be here in September, know that you will be perfectly safe in attending the annual Jewish Festival.

Sorme Resources:

Jewish Festival (2025 but check back for the 2026 information): https://www.zsidokulturalisfesztival.hu/

Operett Theater Fiddler on the Roof: In past years the music has been performed by one of the best Klezmer bands in town. I presume its still the case: https://operett.hu/repertoar/hegedus-a-hazteton
Dinner and a Klezmer Concert: http://spinoza.hu/etterem/
Budapest Kezmer Band: These guys only do a few concerts a year, but if you get the opportunity to see one, they are amazing: https://www.facebook.com/budapestklezmerband/?locale=hu_HU

Excellent Hungarian / Jewish Food
Maces Bistro (4.4) https://maps.app.goo.gl/kkGa6Y1EU4aBLm2a7

Kosher Food:
Ashis Israeli Kosher Street Food (4.6) https://maps.app.goo.gl/vEUsVYS95mKpuJyYA
Café Tamar (4.7) https://maps.app.goo.gl/SBG2ZXBPQ1KieBhBA
Café Tel Aviv (4.0) https://maps.app.goo.gl/HHEgqKcQwkWiV5ii9
Carmel Kóser Étterem (4.1) https://maps.app.goo.gl/y6MbP6eTkyChXL2V6
Hanna Orthodox Kosher (3.9) https://maps.app.goo.gl/vmAHEPByuFQyMA8d7
Marrakesh Kosher (4.6) https://maps.app.goo.gl/aznzVzz62UmmicPX9
Nitavalo Kosher Chef Restaurant (4.9) https://maps.app.goo.gl/mDo26jqFvLK7aV7V6
Shuk HaCarmel (4.7) https://maps.app.goo.gl/UQ3fPN3x1xPqhrAu5
Hummusbar Kosher (4.2) https://maps.app.goo.gl/MxLiLhqxbqUbDWAXA

Jewish Budapest Tour: https://jewishtourhungary.com/en/jewish-quarter-tour

JudaPest: Great Jewish shop: https://judapest.store/collections/decoration-1

Mr É, I can’t thank you enough for all of your wonderful suggestions! I’m really keen on finding some klezmer music so this is so very helpful! And I don’t think we’re going to be going hungry in Hungary!🤣

Mr É,
Who are you referring to that does the notes?

Great, thank you!