“Vandalism here touched more than stones” is perhaps the first thought that comes to mind as we stand at the entrance of the Budakeszi Temető. This isn’t just a place of rest. It’s a chronicle etched in stone. It speaks of lives, families, and a community’s enduring spirit.
The Budakeszi Temető lies just outside the city limits. It sits on the edge of a vast green space. The cemetery is not easily visible from the main road to Budajenő. Trees obscure it from passing motorists. Even up close, the entrance isn’t obvious. No fence or gate marks the boundary of this Jewish cemetery. A small path leads through the trees to the graves.
Sadly, this relative obscurity hasn’t protected it from harm. In recent years, the Budakeszi Temető has been vandalized. Gravestones were toppled. This act was a painful blow to the community. It stirred up complex questions about ownership and responsibility.
Following the vandalism, police launched an investigation. They learned of the damage on a Saturday morning. They started an investigation on suspicion of vandalism. The police declared that they would do everything to identify and capture the perpetrators.
Conflicting reports arose about who controlled the cemetery. Sigmond Bertalan is the local vice mayor. He described the legal situation as complicated. According to their knowledge, the property belongs to an Orthodox Jewish organization in Budakeszi. However, they are unaware of such an organization. The land registry says that the cemetery is theirs. The vice mayor presumes that such an organization does not exist. This is supported by the fact that this alleged religious community has no tax number.
Despite the legal ambiguities, the local municipality helps maintain the grounds. The local city management company regularly mows the vegetation here in the Budakeszi Temető.
The Federation of Jewish Communities in Hungary also cares for the cemetery. Tamás Péter leads the group responsible for rural cemetery maintenance. He had the gravestones restored two years ago. Sadly, the vandalism made this work relevant again. Students from the Lauder School in Budapest also visit regularly to tend the graves.
After an act of vandalism, the MAZSIHISZ offered a reward of 50,000 forints for information leading to the perpetrators. The Budakeszi Temető is a reminder of the challenges faced. But it also shows the strength of community. The story of the Budakeszi Temető isn’t just about loss. It is about resilience.