“Lost in plain sight” might describe the Teleki téri imaház best. This small Orthodox synagogue stands as a cultural gem. It is located at 22 Teleki László tér. The Teleki téri imaház is in Budapest’s District VIII. It’s often called the Csortkiv Synagogue.
This synagogue is Budapest’s only operating Hasidic synagogue. It maintains its original Sephardic traditions. The Teleki téri imaház history began after World War I. Hasidic Jews resettled here from Csortkiv. Csortkiv was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Today, it is in Ukraine.
These settlers founded the Teleki téri imaház. They sought to recreate their community in Budapest. Interestingly, the Rothschild family also has roots in Csortkiv. A descendant of the Csortkiv “wonder rabbi” now serves as a rabbi in Munich.
The Teleki téri imaház isn’t a Spanish-Jewish place of worship. Its customs differ slightly from the Ashkenazi rite. These differences come from the Kabbalist Isaac Luria Ashkenazi. He was also known as the “holy lion”. He lived in Safed, northern Israel.
Inside, the Teleki téri imaház is formed by merging two ground-floor apartments. This religious space has been active since the early 1920s. The Teleki téri imaház can accommodate about 50 men and 30 women. A curtain separates them.
Initially, market traders frequented the Teleki téri imaház. Later, it welcomed congregants from other closed synagogues. These included the Merchants’ Temple. It also included the synagogue in Zsibárus House.
The Teleki téri imaház’s furnishings remain original. The Torah reading desk came from the Dobozi Street synagogue. It was brought here after that synagogue closed.
The Teleki téri imaház has adapted to modern times. It offers online Torah study sessions. These connect students from Micpe Jericho in Israel to Teleki tér. Deutsch Naftali leads these interactive sessions. They cover Talmudic stories and practical Jewish life.
The Teleki téri imaház stands as a testament to faith. It also shows community resilience. It serves as a reminder of Budapest’s diverse cultural tapestry. The Teleki téri imaház offers a glimpse into a unique religious tradition. Its story is woven into the history of Józsefváros. It is a living link to a past. A past that continues to thrive today.