Sixteen (16) lay leaders, representatives of Denver Jewish organizations, and staff members of the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado recently traveled to Budapest, Hungary to learn more about the newly formed partnership between Federation, its global partner, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), and the Jewish community of Hungary. The Partnership was created to help revitalize what was once one of the most vibrant and prosperous Jewish communities in the world.

"As a mature but growing Jewish community in Colorado, we face some of the same challenges in the areas of outreach, affiliation, and intermarriage as the Budapest Jewish community does," said mission participant Steve Morris, Federation's Jewish Philanthropy Center Chair and Annual Campaign Chair. "Although the Jewish population is large, the challenges of the last 60 years have led to a very low number of affiliated Jews in the city."

Until the last six weeks of World War II, Budapest was home to 800,000 Jews, comprising 25 percent of the city's population. But 600,000 Jewish citizens were wiped out by the Nazis and Hungarian collaborators before Soviet troops were able to liberate the city. And while Hungary remained under Communist control until 1989 Judaism was suppressed and practiced only in secret. Only in the past few years has the Jewish community been able to openly embrace its heritage and significance to the city. Of the estimated 130,000 Jews who live in Budapest, fewer than 10 percent, or roughly 12,000, are affiliated with local Jewish institutions.

Young Jewish adults are at the center of this resurgence of Jewish life. Working with the JDC and the established Jewish council, called the Mazsihisz, young pioneers have created programs and gathering places for the Jewish community. From the Balint Jewish Community Center, to the Lauder/JDC Summer Camp in Szarvas, which hosts 2,000 kids from 19 countries, to Shiraly, a coffee shop/concert hall/meeting place, a vibrant group of young leaders is bringing back the community from the brink of extinction. But the community needs guidance and funding.

"We can help them build their organizational structure, create outreach programs, and help them become more effective," added Morris.

"Our mentorship would be of great value to the Jewish community in Budapest," said mission participant Amy Toltz-Miller, Federation's Community Campaign Chair. "Their weakest link is in their lay leadership. Our priority should be providing leadership development to support the unbelievable work young leaders are doing there."

"Federation plans to help revitalize Jewish Hungary by providing funds and leadership training in the coming years," said Doug Seserman, President and CEO of Federation. "Our goal is to help Budapest increase affiliation, bolster the efficacy of local service providers and build lasting institutions for the Jewish community."

A gift to Federation's Israel/Global Fund may be directed to support this new partnership. For more information contact Susan Kramer, Chief Development Officer, at (303) 316-6470, or via email at skramer@ajfcolorado.org.

The mission of Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado is to build and sustain Jewish life in Colorado, Israel and around the world. Last year, Federation raised more than $14.4 million, which was, in turn, allocated to dozens of charitable organizations across Colorado, throughout the United States, and around the world. Those funds support life-saving and life-enhancing initiatives that make a difference in the lives of millions of people in-need, both locally and globally.

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