This past Shabbes, we visited the Neolog Leo Frankel Shul near the western banks of Budapest, also known as Buda. Not only was it closest to where we were staying, but also some dear friends recommended it to us warmly.
And indeed we were welcomed graciously and took part in the tefillah. Women sit separately though there is no mechitsah, and the liturgy appears more or less identical to the Ashkenazi Orthodox nussach. But there was quite a lot of talking and, as the web site states: “Most of our congregants rather celebrate than keep Shabbat!”
Next morning there was a Bar Mitzvah and it was really nice to see a real, active, lively Jewish Shul for a change, after all those music school, concert venues and museums.
The next day, Barbara and I returned to draw and take a few pictures. Luckily, a lady who lives in the surrounding apartment building opened the gate and I could slip into the courtyard to snap a few photos.
