In the beginning of 20th century Budapest was one of the most important jewish cities in the world. In terms of population there was probably no other important metropoly with such a large percentage of Jews at that time. It's not much of overstatement to say that Budapest was sort of todays New York from cultural and economic point of view - at least for jewish Europe.
Today there is still a large community in Hungary - there are kosher restaurants and organizations representing every stream in Judaism. Sadly, the only kosher hotel has been sold and caters for general public now.
For unique experience, visit the Dohany utca Synagogue (http://synagogue.uw.hu/) and have a lunch in nearby Kinor David restaurant or one of other kosher restaurants in Budapest (see www.jewishtraveladvisor.com) or enjoy the Jewish Museum at Dohany st. 2.
There is a mikve at Kazinczy street 16.
Warning: there are some "Jewish" but non-kosher restaurants in Budapest - so be careful to check the hechsher.
Friday 30 November 2007
Jewish Antwerp
Todays Jewish Antwerp (or Antwerpen) is dominated by two interconnected distinct features: its large Orthodox and Chareidi communities and its famous Diamond Quarter.
Diamond cutting, polishing and sale has traditionally been a jewish business with strong involvement of Chareidi community.
Interestingly, there are no kosher hotels in Antwerp although some of those located in or near the Jewish Quarter will serve some sort of kosher meals (mostly breakfast and you can expect chalav and pat yisroel).
Anyway, consult www.jewishtraveladvisor.com before you travel as the hotels may be changing their policies over time.
There is a number of kosher restaurants in Antwerp (Hoffy's my favourite) with strong hechshers of the Machsike Hadass sort and overall atmosphere is pleasant even for those used to Brooklyn/Israel/Golders Green kind of heimishe yidishkeit.
Check www.bh.org.il/communities/Archive/Antwerp.asp for information on Jewish history in this city and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Community_of_Antwerp for practical information.
Diamond cutting, polishing and sale has traditionally been a jewish business with strong involvement of Chareidi community.
Interestingly, there are no kosher hotels in Antwerp although some of those located in or near the Jewish Quarter will serve some sort of kosher meals (mostly breakfast and you can expect chalav and pat yisroel).
Anyway, consult www.jewishtraveladvisor.com before you travel as the hotels may be changing their policies over time.
There is a number of kosher restaurants in Antwerp (Hoffy's my favourite) with strong hechshers of the Machsike Hadass sort and overall atmosphere is pleasant even for those used to Brooklyn/Israel/Golders Green kind of heimishe yidishkeit.
Check www.bh.org.il/communities/Archive/Antwerp.asp for information on Jewish history in this city and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Community_of_Antwerp for practical information.
Jewish Amsterdam
Despite being a Western- and Nothern-European country, Holland has traditionally had a strong Sefardi community. This was a result of common Spanish-Dutch history - house of Habsburg (or rather its Spanish branch) ruled what is today Netherland till 1581.
Although Jews were oficially expelled from Iberian peninsula in 1492, many "crypto-Jews" formally converting to Catolic religion left only much later - often for Amsterdam.
You shouldn't miss the huge and magnificient Portugese Synagogue at Mr. Visserplein 3, the Jewish Historical Museum (Jonas Daniel Meijerplein 2-4) and the famous Anne Frank House (Prinsengracht 267, Jordaan quarter).
Known for its tolerant culture, political stability and economic prosperity, Netherlands became magnet for Ashkenazi immigration during last centuries - the youngest community being that of Israeli expatriots.
Amsterdam today is a city of various Jewish communities, schools and it even has a Jewish wing at Amstelland Hospital in Amstelveen where you can get kosher food and hallachic treatment.
All kosher restaurants are under the joint supervision of the Amsterdam Ashkenazi and Sephardi Rabbinates. There are also some hotels that will serve kosher breakfast on request if ordered in advance (La Richelle, Delphi, Arsenal, Doria).
Useful information: www.esnoga.com
www.amsterdam.info/jewish/
www.jewishtraveladvisor.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews_in_the_Netherlands
Although Jews were oficially expelled from Iberian peninsula in 1492, many "crypto-Jews" formally converting to Catolic religion left only much later - often for Amsterdam.
You shouldn't miss the huge and magnificient Portugese Synagogue at Mr. Visserplein 3, the Jewish Historical Museum (Jonas Daniel Meijerplein 2-4) and the famous Anne Frank House (Prinsengracht 267, Jordaan quarter).
Known for its tolerant culture, political stability and economic prosperity, Netherlands became magnet for Ashkenazi immigration during last centuries - the youngest community being that of Israeli expatriots.
Amsterdam today is a city of various Jewish communities, schools and it even has a Jewish wing at Amstelland Hospital in Amstelveen where you can get kosher food and hallachic treatment.
All kosher restaurants are under the joint supervision of the Amsterdam Ashkenazi and Sephardi Rabbinates. There are also some hotels that will serve kosher breakfast on request if ordered in advance (La Richelle, Delphi, Arsenal, Doria).
Useful information: www.esnoga.com
www.amsterdam.info/jewish/
www.jewishtraveladvisor.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews_in_the_Netherlands
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