Celebrating Chanukah in Slovakia

Melamed

Location:Komarno, Slovakia
Name of implementing organization:The Jewish community of Komarno
Date of initial project approval:October 2007

Brief description of the local Jewish community

The Jewish community of Komarno today numbers approximately 45 members. 20-25 Jews from the Komarom-Esztergom district of Hungary (where no Jewish community exists) participate on all main community events. The number of new members from Hungary has increased during each of the last 3 years. There is no Jewish school or other Jewish educational institution in the Komarno region. The community enjoys good relations with the JAFI, JDC and Israeli Embassy.

Project aims and objectives

The project aims to teach basic Judaism to adults and children in 10 Jewish communities in Slovakia and Hungary.

Project Description

This project is conducting a Jewish educational program for children and adults from Komarno and the 10 communities in the region. The program takes place one Sunday each month, from 10:00 to 17:00 (in the Jewish cultural and community centre – Menhaz in Komarno, Slovakia.)

The curriculum for adults is prepared in consultation with the Jewish University of Budapest. All materials and lectures are provided in Slovak and Hungarian languages. The curriculum includes the following subjects:

• An introduction to reading Hebrew, and basic Hebrew vocabulary
• Basic Judaism: Jewish Holidays, Jewish History, and the Synagogue
• Jewish Law and the Jewish Life Cycle
• Jewish Books: including Tanach, the Talmud, and other basic Jewish sources

The children's program was started in September 2008 by madrichim from Budapest and Bratislava.

The project includes two Shabbatonim each year. The program for each Shabbaton includes: Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat morning services; an afternoon learning session; Jewish songs; and Havdalah. The project also includes a Passover Seder, and celebration of the High Holidays in the synagogue of Komarno. The project is purchasing new books for the community's library. An Advisory Committee, including representatives from the Jewish University of Budapest (5 members), has been established. The project is directed by two local volunteer coordinators.

Main budget elements

Project Coordinator
Teachers
Rabbi and cantors
Staff training
Staff travel
Educational materials 
Books    

The project's successes

More then 80% of the people interested in this project participated in all events conducted as part of the project. Attendance grew during the second half-year, with new participants coming from the younger and middle generations. The quality of the sessions was very good (information from the feedback forms). Participants attend regularly. This is a very good community building format, which could be used in all fields of Jewish community life in Komárno and the region.

Difficulties encountered along the way

There were difficulties organizing the children's class. However, we were able to begin the activities of this group in the second half of the year. Construction took place in the Community Center beginning November 2008, and the project activities could not take place there. They were implemented elsewhere, but all activities took place as scheduled.