About Párdesz
Our mission
The goal of Párdesz is to create a Jewish residential community in Budapest in a family-friendly area. For communal life it is essential that the community members live closer to each other.
We build a religious kehillah, apartments and common spaces where we can study and celebrate Torah together with our guests.
We strive for Párdesz to become the spiritual center of the neighborhood, which will attract more and more families and inspire others to create similar communities.
About the Project
Budapest is a vibrant city situated on the two sides of river Danube. It has a rich Jewish history dating back to more than 700 years. These days the Jewish population is estimated between 20-80,000, the vast majority being unaffiliated. There are around 20 synagogues belonging to three main streams, Orthodox, Neolog and Chabad.
Pardes Jewish CoHousing is envisioned to be relatively close to the center, still in the relaxed green belt area. It will consist of a 4 storey building of around 1500sq.m. with 10-15 apartments, a synagogue on the ground floor and a mikve. All this surrounded by a garden and playground for the children.
The main aim is to become a point of gravity for families with young children, for young adults, for serious learners and in general for Jewish activities. To become such a center, Pardes will provide housing for about 15 families. We will organise prayer services for the internal and external daveners with a care for women and children. One important ingredient of daily life will be on site learning with rabbi Binjomin Szanto-Varnagy and chavrutot every day. There will be a small grocery store for the need of the tenants and a kindergarten for pre-school children.
Pardes aims to be a place of Torah, with guest rabbis and educators, kollel type learning and special Shabbatons for the wider Jewish commnity. We wish to connect with hundreds of Jews, currently non-practicing, who live in its surroundings. We plan to play and integral part in the religious Jewish life in Budapest.
Beis midrash. Our Beis Midrash, situated on the ground floor, will provide for the study and prayer of around 50 people.
Community dining area. It is a separate hall, adjacent to the synagogue for festive meals and for events.
Separate mikve for ladies and for gentlemen and a small pool for utensils. Its design and hashgacha will be of high standards.
Garden and playground. For the families, especially for children. It will also provide space for outside events and, of course, for Sukkos.
