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Hungary is home to over 1,600 Jewish cemeteries, reflecting a long and meaningful history of Jewish life across the country. While the main cemeteries remain active, many smaller and more remote sites have fallen into neglect over the years. Recognizing the need to preserve these sacred places, Jewish teens from Budapest, part of the international Chabad C-Teen network, have launched a multi-year initiative to clean, repair, and maintain these historic cemeteries.

Under the guidance of Rabbi Tzemacḥ David Bessman, the teens work alongside small local Jewish communities and municipal authorities in towns where few—or no—Jewish residents remain. They clear overgrown paths, restore fallen or damaged headstones, and ensure that the resting places are treated with dignity and respect.

For the teens, the experience is deeply moving. Many are visibly emotional as they read inscriptions and learn the stories of those buried, gaining a tangible connection to Jewish history and heritage. “They understand that they are performing a true act of kindness, a ‘gemilus chasadim shel emet,’ for those who cannot thank them,” says Rabbi Bessman.

The initiative is supported by Rabbi Shlomo Kovesh and EMIH (the Association of Torah-Observant Communities in Hungary), who emphasize that caring for these cemeteries strengthens the connection of the younger generation to their Jewish identity and the broader Hungarian Jewish community.

Through this meaningful summer project, the teens not only preserve the memory of past generations but also cultivate leadership, responsibility, and a sense of belonging. Rabbi Bessman notes, “These young people are the future of Jewish life in Hungary, and their dedication today lays the foundation for a thriving Jewish community tomorrow.”

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