Siófok Synagogue

Balaton · Siófok · Jewish community

Quiet, community and tradition by Lake Balaton.

A small synagogue in Siófok that comes alive again each summer with Friday evening prayers, meetings, remembrance and respect for the local Jewish past.

About

The Siófok synagogue is an intimate community space with a rich past.

The Jewish community of Siófok was founded in 1862 and belonged to the Balatonfőkajár district. Its religious tradition had Ashkenazi roots. In 1863 the community established its Chevra Kadisha, and in 1869 the first synagogue was built.

The synagogue in numbers

A small community, a long history

1862The community is founded
1863Chevra Kadisha is established
1869The first synagogue is built
1986The current synagogue is inaugurated

History

Siófok Synagogue

The history of Siófok’s Jewish community goes back more than a century and a half. The community joined the Neolog movement while respect for tradition remained a defining value.

The first synagogue was built in 1869 and served not only religious life but also as an important place for community gatherings, especially for Jewish visitors arriving in Siófok during the summer season.

During the Holocaust the community was dissolved and the building was used as a warehouse. After the war, in 1947, the synagogue was rededicated and the community attempted to reorganize itself.

The old synagogue was later demolished — the post office stands on its former site today. In 1986 a smaller new synagogue was built on the plot, and it remains a meeting point for the community.

View the timeline
Siófok Synagogue

Timeline

Important milestones of the community

1862

The community is founded

The Jewish community of Siófok becomes formally organized.

1863

Chevra Kadisha

The community establishes its burial society, one of the key institutions of Jewish communal life.

1869

The first synagogue

The old synagogue is built and becomes the center of religious and communal life.

1895

Legal recognition

Judaism becomes a legally recognized religion in Hungary.

1910

Summer sermons

Religious and community occasions are organized in Siófok for Jewish summer visitors.

1944

The community is broken

The community is dissolved, the synagogue is damaged, and the building is used as a warehouse.

1947

Rededication

After the war, the restored old synagogue is ceremonially rededicated.

1986

The new synagogue

On June 12, the current smaller synagogue is inaugurated as a symbol of continuity.

Today

A summer meeting point

Each summer the synagogue opens again for prayer, gathering and remembrance.

Rabbis and tradition

Those who shaped the spiritual life of the community

✡︎

Gábriel Dessauer

He was a rabbi, theologian and outstanding Hebraist, a student of Rabbi Moshe Schreiber of Pressburg.

He served as rabbi in Balatonfőkajár for forty years.

Alongside Balatonfőkajár and Enying, he was also connected to Siófok as district rabbi.

✡︎

Mór Dessauer

He received his rabbinic education at the Jewish Theological Seminary of Breslau.

He also served in Siófok as a district rabbi.

He played an important role in establishing the Chevra Kadisha institution within the community.

✡︎

Márk Handler

He is remembered as one of the early introducers of regular Hungarian sermons.

He received his qualification at the rabbinical school in Pressburg as a student of Ksav Sofer.

He served in Siófok in the 1860s, later becoming chief rabbi in Aszód and then Tataóváros.

✡︎

Adolf Klein

He served in Siófok from January 1, 1925 until mid-September 1925.

As a registrar rabbi, he was connected to both the official and religious life of the community.

His short service is also part of the continuity of the Siófok community.

✡︎

Sámuel Farkas Grosz

He served the Siófok community as assistant rabbi from 1926 and as rabbi from 1928.

He remained the rabbi of Siófok until his retirement in 1937.

In 1944 he and his wife were deported to Auschwitz, where they were murdered.

✡︎

Dr. Tibor Fábián

He was the last rabbi of Siófok, serving the community from 1937 to 1944.

He was deported in 1944 and returned to Siófok in the summer of 1945.

Later he moved to Nyíregyháza and eventually emigrated to America.

Prayer times

Summer opening and Friday evening prayer

July 3

Beginning of the summer program

Friday evening, July 3, 2026 at 7:00 PM.

Every Friday evening

Kabbalat Shabbat / Friday evening prayer

Every Friday at 7:00 PM from July 3 until the end of August.

News

Updates

Updates

Summer season

The synagogue opens its doors again for the summer

Friday evening prayer

A community gathering during the summer season, every Friday at 7:00 PM.

Holiday occasions

We will provide separate information about holiday programs and special events.

Visit

Please contact us by email or phone before visiting.

“Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.”

— Exodus 25:8

Support

Help preserve the life of the Siófok synagogue.

The maintenance, summer operation and community occasions of the synagogue are also made possible through donations.

Bank transfer details

Beneficiary
[Pontos név]
Bank account number
[00000000-00000000-00000000]
Payment reference
Adomány – Siófoki zsinagóga

Contact

Please contact us before visiting

Address

8600 Siófok, Széchenyi utca 4

Email

Frequently asked questions

Short answers for those visiting the Siófok synagogue for the first time.

Contact
When can the synagogue be visited?

The synagogue primarily holds community occasions during the summer season on Friday evenings.

When does the summer program begin?

The planned start is Friday, July 3, 2026 at 7:00 PM. After that, visitors are welcome every Friday at 7:00 PM until the end of August.

Is there a Shabbat morning service?

There is currently no regular Shabbat morning service; the community occasion is held on Friday evening.

Do I need to register in advance?

It is recommended to contact us before visiting, as times and programs may vary seasonally.

Where is the synagogue located?

8600 Siófok, Széchenyi utca 4.