Tamás Róna said that he feels much safer as a Jew in Hungary than in other parts of the world.Continue reading
The JCC Budapest – Bálint House is hosting Pride month events in June, and to mark the occasion, the rainbow flag was unfurled on their building on June 1. However, the owner of the building and the sponsor of the Bálint House, the Budapest Jewish Community, disagree with the flag and had it taken down.
“Recently, we were forced to make a compromise that does not reflect our activities and values. Our important partner, supporter and owner of the Bálint House building, the Budapest Jewish Community, asked us to remove the rainbow flag from the facade of the building, which supports the Pride movement,” Bálint House wrote on their Facebook page. They added that they will remain an accepting, inclusive institution regardless, and will not change their values, activities, or programs.
The JCC Budapest – Bálint House will pay special attention to Budapest Pride and related events this year, and will even participate in the Pride march with a Jewish tent.
Today, Neolog Judaism is the most broadly-based Jewish institution in Hungary, and is situated in the middle ground between conservative and orthodox tendencies. It advocates the traditional observance of religious regulations and holidays, as well as learning, through which it hopes that Judaism can return to its original roots, and once integrated into Hungarian society, have a solid Jewish identity.
The celebration of Pride month has spread to Hungary in recent years and has become more and more intense. This year, the opposition-led capital has again displayed a rainbow flag at the Mayor’s office to signal its acceptance of the LGBTQ community.
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