Pilgrimage Sites in Debrecen
The Pásti Street Orthodox Synagogue
The construction started in August 1893, and less than a month later the main walls of the synagogue were standing. The Orthodox community celebrated their very first new year in the new synagogue, though, the inauguration ceremony was held only in 1902. The first rabbi of the synagogue was Solomon Strasszer. There were several establishments in joint operation with the status quo community, but soon the Orthodox Jews expanded their web of institutions: Beit Hamidras for Torah learning sessions, a mikvah, a kosher butchery and a shop had been opened.
The synagogue was seriously damaged during the Second World War and the community was not able to completely rebuild the building but they managed to preserve it. Despite the damage, it functioned until 1984, when the last Orthodox Rabbi, Sándor Deutsch passed away.
In 2001, the roof and the exterior facade was reconstructed, but the thorough restoration work started only in 2012.
The Pásti Street Orthodox synagogue was reopened in its full glory on 26 April, 2015, which now serves multiple purposes. It is not only a sacred space but also a touristic attraction, a conference center and a public venue for concerts and exhibitions. In the near future, the synagogue will also be the home of the Jewish Educational and Cultural Center of Central and Eastern Europe.
Beit Hamidras – the Winter Tabernacle
It was built in the 1910s right next to the Pásti Street Synagogue. The building is centrally heated, therefore people had a chance to participate in Torah learning sessions whenever they had time for it, even after work and during the weekends. As a result, they had a much deeper understanding of Torah and it gave new impetus to the religious and everyday life of the Orthodox community.
Today, the renewed Beit Hamidras is the place where Jews come together for community prayer services. During the most important holidays, prayers are held in the Pásti Street Synagogue.
Orthodox Mikvah
It is located next to the Pásti Street Synagogue, in the basement of the winter tabernacle. The ritual bath was out of use in the last decades due to the high level of groundwater and the lack of resources to renovate it. However, as part of the renovation project, the bath was renewed while preserving the original casing and the pools. Now the mikvah has a new function: it is going to host a unique kosher winery.
It is important to note that Debrecen won’t be left without a traditional ritual bath. Since the 2000s, a modern mikvah has been operating right next to the Pásti Street Synagogue.
The Holocaust Memorial
The monumental concrete wall was designed by young architects and since the summer of 2015, it has been standing proudly to remind everybody of the more than 6,000 Holocaust victims of Debrecen.
Kápolnási Street Synagogue
As the number of Jews in Debrecen reached its peak during the first decade of the 20th century, the community decided to build a new synagogue next to the community centre. In 1910, the 600-seat synagogue was inaugurated by Chief Rabbi Vilmos Krausz.
The synagogue was completely renovated in 2014. Since then it has continued to fulfil its traditional role as today it is used during the most important Jewish holidays as a place of worship, Also, it hosts several cultural events.
The Jewish Cemetery
The cemetary was established in 1842 and it is located at Monostorpályi street. One of the biggest achievements of the past few years is that the catalogue of graves has been digitised, so now it can be found on the Internet with pictures and all the necessary data. It is therefore accessible for everybody, providing information and research material.
The Kosher Butchery
The butchery served its traditional purpose until the end of the 1980s but today it is a resting area and an exhibition space. Originally it was the place of ritual slaughters and during the renovation, the interior and some equipment were restored perfectly in order to demonstrate the different stages of meat processing.
The synagogues and the connected attractions are open for visitors as follows:
May 1 – September 30: 8 am – 5 pm;
October 1 – April 30: 8 am – 3pm.
We are closed on Saturdays and on public and Jewish holidays.
We are happy to provide quided tours in Hungarian, English and Hebrew for groups upon request. To book a tour or enquire about an arranged tour, please contact us in advance.
Further information:
Email: debrecenizsidosag@gmail.com
Phone: +36 52 415 861; +36 30 846 1703
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