Budapest Welcomes Landmark Jewish Teen Safe Space: A New Era for Jewish Teen Engagement and Empowerment
Last Sunday, Jewish teens in Hungary celebrated a major milestone with the opening of the CTeen ClubHouse. The first standalone CTeen Center in the world, it promises to become a home-away-from-home, leadership hub, and safe space for Jewish teens in Obuda, Budapest. The beautifully designed state-of-the-art center features a Pizza Cafe, game room, and interactive teen lounge to strengthen community and camaraderie.
The center is one of the nearly 40 custom-built Jewish teen safe spaces throughout the United States and Europe built in the past year. As the world’s largest Jewish teen movement, with its 804+ chapters in 64 countries worldwide, CTeen aims to provide the next generation of Jewish leaders with the tools to make a difference and be ambassadors of positive change.
“It is imperative for Jewish teens to have spaces to connect with their peers, especially in light of increasing challenges they face worldwide,” says Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, executive director of CTeen’s umbrella organization, Merkos 302. “CTeen’s lounges create an environment where the teens can be fully themselves, and step into their role as future Jewish leaders.”
The ClubHouse features a well-stocked library of Jewish books, a robust game room including billiards and a football table, and an assortment of cozy couches. Cheerfully decorated in CTeen’s signature orange and blue color scheme, it is a distinctly teen-friendly space and sets the perfect environment for meaningful bonds to be created. A giant tzedaka box and other Jewish paraphernalia remind attendees of their beautiful heritage.
Sunday’s opening ceremony was MC’d by Oliver Rak, a long-time CTeen member and leader of the CTeen Hungary chapter. “In four years, Rabbi and Mrs. Bassman have created something incredible, out of nothing. A warm and welcoming environment for young people like myself, whose ancestors were led away from Judaism by the dark events of the last century,” he said. “Now we have a community where we can aspire to more, to live out our traditions freely, study Torah, celebrate holidays, and build relationships, all from the comfort of our new center.”
In attendance were Rabbi Shlomo Koves, Chief Rabbi of the EMIH-Hungarian Jewish Association, who addressed the assembly; Head Shliach of Hungary and Chief Rabbi of the Budapest Orthodox Rabbinate Rabbi Baruch Oberlander who placed the mezuzah on the main door; and guest of honor, Budapest’s Mayor, Gergely Karácsony.
To honor the most important attendees—the teens themselves—were given the honor of cutting the ribbon. In a highlight of the occasion, a multicolored ribbon was stretched around to include all the dozens of teens present, who each took part in snipping the ribbon, displaying their excitement to embrace the new space.”
In a turn from the upbeat and celebratory nature of the event, somber prayers were recited for the safety of those in the Holy Land and the return of the hostages. Oliver, invoking the adage that even in times of celebration we mustn’t forget the destruction of the Beis Hamikdosh and the ongoing hope for its rebuilding, led the crowd in singing Ani Maamin.
For the past four years, Rabbi Tzemmy Bassman and his wife Sophie have led CTeen Hungary, a bustling teen community complete with camps, festival programs, and weekly meetups. The ClubHouse opening launches a new era for CTeen Hungary, with a permanent brick-and-mortar presence in the community, and endless possibilities for dynamic new programs.
“The young people who were present at the opening ceremony and will use the clubhouse, are the guarantee that Jewish life will continue to thrive in Hungary. We had many new faces, teens who hadn’t yet participated in our programs yet, and that is exactly what the clubhouse aims to achieve, uniting more teens with Jewish pride and passion,” concludes Rabbi Bassman.
Photo Credits: Bettina Almássy
