Photos: Ausztrics Andrea

Bankito Festival Jewish Culture Workshop 

In a collaboration between JCC Budapest – Bálint Ház and the Marom Jewish Culture Project, a 3-day series of contemporary Jewish art workshops will be held. 
The program primarily invites applicants who engage with Jewish culture or identify with Jewish heritage.

❊/→ Age group: 18–30 years.

PROGRAM
❊/→ Over the three days, JCC Budapest – Bálint Ház and the Marom Jewish Culture Project will present their initiatives, offering concrete opportunities for creators, artists, and those engaged in historical and artistic theory.

THURSDAY

12:00 – 13:30 The Jewish Tent Comes Alive
While we decorate our tent with content, feel free to arrive – browse our publications, learn about the activities of today's Jewish communities and organizations, discover our projects, or simply relax and do some coloring with us – we warmly welcome you!

13:30 – 15:30 Identity Through Drama
In this session, we will explore questions of identity and belonging through drama pedagogy games. The goal is to create a relaxed and trusting environment where we can delve into these ever-present themes beyond just words.

16:00 – 18:00 What's the Problem with Jews? Antisemitism and Us
Antisemitism is often treated as a given, yet few have provided a comprehensive definition covering all its aspects and manifestations. This lecture will guide the audience through the definitions and cultural history of antisemitism, with particular attention to its contemporary forms. What is chimeric antisemitism? Do Jews really control our culture? Why has Jew hatred persisted, and why has it intensified again?

FRIDAY

11:00 – 13:00 Folk Dance with Live Music
Learn traditional Hungarian, Eastern European, and Jewish folk dances! A classic dance house with live music, where you can master steps from various regions.

14:00 – 15:30 At the Gates of Shabbat – Board Game with Two Angels
The beginning of Shabbat is the week's most special transformation: we step from the ordinary into sacred time. But what does this mean today? When exactly does it start? What do we bring in, and what do we leave outside the boundary? Bálint Ház's self-developed 'Angelic Shabbat' card game introduces the concept, customs, and symbolism of Shabbat in a playful yet profound way. According to Talmudic tradition, two angels visit us on Friday evening to see if we're ready for Shabbat. In this game, they will be our guides – but each player also brings their own stories, questions, and insights. No prior knowledge is needed – just a bit of curiosity.

16:00 – 18:00 DIY Mikveh Ritual
Led by Klári Cserne, this pre-Shabbat ritual bath offers an opportunity for inner arrival, renewal, and connection through living water. The program begins with knowledge sharing, text reading, and collective attunement, followed by a creative writing exercise where we craft our own ritual rhymes, poems, or prayers. Then we immerse ourselves in the lake – each at their own pace – and finally, in a shared circle, we have the opportunity to share our experiences and thoughts.

19:00 – 20:30 Welcoming Shabbat
According to Jewish tradition, the seventh day is for rest – for the renewal of our body, soul, and spirit. This period is about letting go of the past and not worrying about the future, just living in the present. Together with Ádám Schönberger, we sing, meditate, and most importantly, celebrate – to enter the sacred, calming space of Shabbat together.

SATURDAY

11:00 – 13:00 KŐ-KŐ-KŐ – Adventure on the Edge of Reality
'Kő-kő-kő' is a liberating adventure game for adults. It's not a tabletop board game, not storytelling, but active adventuring in reality. There's no point scoring, no defeating each other. Just safe uncertainty. No cause and effect. No reasons for your decisions. Let yourself be carried by the flow.

14:00 – 15:30 Zine time with aula.co publishing
Get to know the unique zines of aula.co, a micro-publisher through an informal group conversation! The newest publication will be introduced, featuring portraits and thoughts of Jewish women who inspire, move, and leave a lasting impression. On-site, you can color in a special postcard made just for Bánkitó, or take it home as a keepsake. Feel free to flip through the zines, ask questions, join the conversation — or simply enjoy coloring quietly, however, you like.

16:00 – 17:30 Havdalah Candle Making
Create your own Havdalah candle and learn about one of the most beautiful traditions of concluding Shabbat! The multi-wicked candle at the end of Shabbat helps us remember the distinction between sacred and profane, light and darkness, Shabbat and weekdays – this is the meaning of Havdalah, or "separation." After making the candle, we invite you to a communal Shabbat farewell, where you can close the week with the help of lights and scents.

17:30 – 18:00 Havdalah Ceremony – Bidding Farewell to Shabbat
Havdalah, meaning "separation," is an intimate ceremony that helps conclude Shabbat and transition into the weekdays. The multi-wicked candle's light, the taste of wine, and the fragrant spices simultaneously engage our senses, reminding us of Shabbat's specialness. This brief yet profound transition connects the community and offers an opportunity to carry Shabbat's peace into the rest of the week.

Jewish Culture 2028 ≡ http://zsidokultura.hu
Marom ≡ https://www.marom.hu
JCC - Bálint House ≡ https://balinthaz.hu
Our supporters:
Dutch Jewish Humanitarian Fund ≡ https://www.jhf.nl
JDC Mozaik Hub ≡ https://mozaikhub.hu

 Link: Facebook event