Historic Rákospalota synagogue restored in Budapest — Jerusalem Post
In Budapest, Hungary, the Jewish community reopened and rededicated the historic synagogue in the Rákospalota district, built in 1926. The building has once again become a place of worship after decades of use as a storage facility for books and newspapers of Hungary’s Széchényi National Library, The Jerusalem Post reports.
Return to religious life
The ceremony began with prayers and the ceremonial bringing in of a Torah scroll. Participants also unveiled memorial plaques honoring the synagogue’s founders. Rabbis, public figures, benefactors, and representatives of the families of the building’s founders attended the event.
The synagogue was built thanks to the many years of efforts by Rabbi Michael (Mihály) Duszynski, who served in the district for more than 40 years. Less than two decades after its opening, most of the community — nearly 8,000 people — were deported to extermination camps. According to the publication, about 10% of those deported survived.
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The restoration took less than a year
Under communist rule, the synagogue was stripped of its religious purpose and turned into a repository for newspapers and books for the National Library. The building remained closed and separated from the surrounding district for decades.
The project became possible after negotiations on relocating the National Library, and the comprehensive restoration took less than a year. It was also supported by benefactors, including Igor Plotnikov. This is the sixth historic synagogue that the community has returned to active use over the past 16 years.
At the dedication, 80-year-old Rabbi Michael Duszynski — the grandson of the synagogue’s founder and former chief rabbi of Northern Ireland — was present. He said that he visited the building 23 years ago, when it was filled with bookshelves. After the Torah scroll was brought in and mezuzahs were installed, the synagogue opened for Sabbath and holiday prayers.
