Hungarian Education Minister Approves First Post-Holocaust Yeshiva

In a historic development for Hungary’s Jewish community, Minister of Education Balázs Hankó has approved the establishment of a Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva, marking the first such institution in the country since the Holocaust.

The announcement came during a meeting between the Minister and Rabbi Shlomo Kovesh, who chairs EMIH, the Association of Torah-Observant Communities in Hungary. The new yeshiva, to be situated in a large complex along the Hungary-Vienna route, will primarily serve children of Chabad emissaries from throughout the region.

This development is the latest in a series of expansions in Hungarian Jewish education. Two years ago, EMIH launched the Maimonides High School, which has seen overwhelming demand for its integrated curriculum of Jewish and secular studies. More recently, a rabbinical ordination institute opened its doors to American yeshiva students, adding to a growing network of Jewish educational institutions ranging from nursery schools to university programs.

During the meeting, Minister Hankó also confirmed that Milton Friedman University, a prestigious institution owned by the Jewish community under Rabbi Kovesh’s leadership, will introduce both BA and MA programs in Jewish Studies. Recognizing the scarcity of such programs in Europe and the United States, these courses will be offered in both Hungarian and English, with online options available to meet growing international demand.

“This represents a significant milestone in the renaissance of Jewish education in Hungary,” said Rabbi Kovesh, highlighting the community’s remarkable growth since the Holocaust era. The Minister reportedly expressed deep appreciation for these developments, which contribute to Hungary’s educational diversity and cultural heritage.

The expansion of Jewish educational institutions in Hungary reflects a broader revival of Jewish community life in the country, with EMIH playing a central role in establishing and maintaining various educational initiatives from early childhood through higher education.