“Status quo Ante” what does it mean? The Egységes Magyarországi Izraelita Hitközség or EMIH embodies this spirit. The Egységes Magyarországi Izraelita Hitközség is one of Hungary’s three Jewish denominations.
Established in 2004 the Egységes Magyarországi Izraelita Hitközség sought to revive the Status quo Ante tradition. The founders aimed to involve less active Jews and create conditions for practicing Jewish traditions. The EMIH sees itself as representing a new generation seeking conservative values and ancient roots. It combines authentic values and Orthodox traditions with openness and dynamic thinking.
The Egységes Magyarországi Izraelita Hitközség’s establishment met with international acclaim. The European Jewish Communities Council invited and accepted the Egységes Magyarországi Izraelita Hitközség into its ranks. The Rabbinical Alliance of America and Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berl Lázár sent congratulatory letters. In 2005 Israel’s Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger visited Hungary for the Egységes Magyarországi Izraelita Hitközség’s new downtown prayer house inauguration.
The Egységes Magyarországi Izraelita Hitközség maintains close working relationships with the Autonomous Orthodox Israelite Community. It also strives for cooperation with the Mazsihisz. The Egységes Magyarországi Izraelita Hitközség does not see it as representing all Hungarian Jewry. Oberlander Báruch rabbi founded the Chábád Lubavics Jewish Education Association in Budapest in 1989.
The Chábád reached tens of thousands and guided many to their roots. The Chábád fostered a community beyond association limits. The Egységes Magyarországi Izraelita Hitközség and Chábád’s spiritual leaders achieved significant results. Koves Slomó became the Egységes Magyarországi Izraelita Hitközség’s leader. He comes from a family distanced from traditions. He returned to his roots in the 1990s. He studied at Orthodox rabbinical schools abroad. He is the first Orthodox rabbi ordained in Hungary since the Holocaust.
The Egységes Magyarországi Izraelita Hitközség primarily relies on donations and targeted grants. As a registered church it is entitled to 2 times 1% of personal income tax. The 2012 Church Law marked the Egységes Magyarországi Izraelita Hitközség equal to Mazsihisz and the Orthodox Israelite Community.
The leading rabbi heads the Egységes Magyarországi Izraelita Hitközség’s operations. Member organizations and temple districts oversee and assist his work. A delegates’ meeting, elected leaders and the Rabbinate also contribute. The delegates’ meeting elects or recalls the leading rabbi based on the Rabbinate’s proposal.
Today the Egységes Magyarországi Izraelita Hitközség’s rabbis and communities are increasingly present in Budapest and across the country. The Egységes Magyarországi Izraelita Hitközség’s rabbis also represent the official Israeli Rabbinate domestically. The Israeli Rabbinate only accepts their rabbinical decisions apart from the Orthodox community’s rabbis. The Egységes Magyarországi Izraelita Hitközség maintains diverse American and Israeli connections. One example is cooperation with the Anti-Defamation League. Andrew Baker rabbi president of the American Jewish Committee has visited and consulted with the Egységes Magyarországi Izraelita Hitközség’s leadership.