Calvin Synod Herald, 2014 (115. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2014-03-01 / 3-4. szám
10 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD heroic roots, this new instrument acknowledges Christianity’s role in molding and preserving the nation, but also appreciates the diversity of other peoples living there for centuries. It spells out, “We value the various religious traditions of our country.” Further, it declares, “We proclaim that nationalities living with us form part of the Hungarian political community and ... commit to promoting and safeguarding ... the languages and cultures of nationalities living in Hungary.” What other nation has raised the bar so high? Hungary Home Again For Jews Saying, “Never Again!” one would think Jews wouldn’t ever consider Hungary as their homeland, especially with Israel’s doors wide open to the descendants of Abraham around the world. But today this small land, not as big as Pennsylvania, is home to the third largest number of Jews in Europe. “Next year in Jerusalem,” only refers to a holiday visit, not moving from a home in Hungary. In The Times of Israel, Lena Bakman reported on the meeting she attended in October 2013, hosted by the Tom Lantos Institute, the international “Conference on Jewish Life and Antisemitism in Europe.” Held in Budapest, in the Upper House of Parliament, it convened where the anti-Jewish laws were passed years before. Taking note of the numerous steps by the present government to crush elements of intolerance, she wrote, “Europe can do more to follow Hungary’s example.” Further, she said, “Deputy Prime Minister of Hungary, Tibor Navracsics publicly acknowledged Hungarian responsibility for the Holocaust in Hungary,” willingly led by Nazi sympathizers. She reported that “there has been an increase of anti-Semitic incidents in Hungary recently, even in Parliament by shouting MP’s of the small Jobbik party (Arrow Cross). Navracsics specified it was adamantly condemned and was now restricted by new rules against hate vitriol, while striving to maintain the basic rights of freedom of speech, and its paramilitary force has been banned! In his address, DPM Navracsics also highlighted the government’s renovation of the city’s Great Synagogue and the rebuilding of others, new memorial museums, numerous annual events and Holocaust programs in the schools to see it is not forgotten nor occur ever again in Hungary. He also declared that “we believe in a Jewish renaissance in Hungary.” ‘Why is everybody always pickin’ on me?’ Hungary’s human rights record is one of which it can become increasingly proud, a victim itself of two world wars and four times of Russian oppression. It strives in the European Union and in the continent’s big nation politics to be left alone and “do it my way.” Some of Hungary’s severest critics are those with axes of their own to grind, such as Communists, anarchists and atheists. Yet in Hungaiy today there is a vibrant Jewish community, and it doesn’t end there. New programs are in place to raise up the level of life for a heretofore neglected Roma minority, and all other minority groups, as well as sustain their heritages and cultures for all to appreciate and enjoy. A better life lies ahead for all of Hungary’s citizens, living together in peace. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán addressed the World Jewish Congress in Budapest’s stadium on May 6th, and declared “it is Calvin Synod Homeland and Overseas Mission USA 1. We encourage our congregations' youngsters to attend the annual Calvin Synod Summer Youth Camp. 2. Support the Bethlen Communities Heritage Center Museum and Archives. TRANSYLVANIA 1. The Szekely Miko Reformed High School in Sepsiszentgyorgy is asking financial support for their school. 2. The Backamadarasi Kiss Gergely Reformed High School in Székelyudvarhely is asking financial support for their school. 3. To support the widow of Rev. Jenő Katona and his family. 4. Fund Reformed schools and help poor people in Transylvania via Transylvania Reformed Assistance Committee (TRAC). 5. Ms. Gabriella Nádas - Donate to School Fund in Kolozsvár. 6. Fund charitable and mission work as requested by Rt. Rev. István Csűri in Nagyvárad. 7. Fund request by principal Zsolt Tőkés to support the school in Székelyudvarhely. 8. The Hungarian Reformed Church of Nagykároly-Kertváros (Carei) in Transylvania is asking for donations for their construction project of a new church building and parsonage. Further info available at the following website: http://kertvaros.freewb.hu/ 9. The Székelyudvarhely Reformed High School in Transylvania is asking for for donations for their school building's roof. UKRAINE 1. Support the Good Samaritan Orphanage and School in Nagydobrony in their mission work. 2. Support the food pantry named Crumbs for Lazarus to feed the hungry in Csap as requested by Rev. János Balogh. Please send donations to the Calvin Svnod Treasurer: Rev. Viktor Toth 3220 Merril Drive Apt. 37 • Torrance, CA 90503 Tel.: 714-333-5300 - When sending your donation, please write the name of the Mission in the Memo section of your check. For more information please contact: Rt. Rev. Dr. Csaba Krasznai, Homeland and Overseas Mission Coordinator, 14530 Alexander Road, Walton Hills, OH 44146. Email: revkrasznai@gmail.com -Tel.: 440-221-5334. May God bless you for your kindness and generosity! especially important that we make it clear: anti-Semitism isunacceptable.” He said, “Our generation is the generation of peace and revolution. In our youth we toppled communism and regained our country’s independence so that we could live here in freedom. We know that there is no freedom without human dignity. And so our generation will not tolerate the wounding of the dignity of anybody in our country because of their ancestry or religion, because that would be an affront to the freedom we have struggled together to achieve.” He concluded saying, “There is hope that our children may live in an era in which anti-Semitism is just as inconceivable as the past ages in which the world suffered from the plague. This is not a dream. It is a possibility, ...” - Yes, Hungary got it right! Rev. Albert W. Kovács (Also published in the Bethlen Almanac 2013) I
