Displaced Jewish Families Seek Solace in Hungarian Rural Retreat

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Zusha Pletnyov departed from Luhansk, eastern Ukraine, in 2014 due to the conflict with Russian-supported insurgents. After relocating to Kyiv, he sought refuge in Israel amid the comprehensive assault by Russia in February last year.

As a devout Jew, Pletnyov, with his family, hoped for a fresh start in Ashkelon, near the Gaza Strip. However, recent hostilities from Gaza forced them to flee once more, this time to a Hungarian sanctuary for Jewish refugees.

Pletnyov finds the camp, a repurposed, long-abandoned state resort beside Lake Balaton, to be a profound source of comfort. The camp, initially established for Jewish Ukrainian refugees post-Russia’s incursion, now shelters approximately 250 individuals, including 100 children, many of whom have come from Israel following the events of October 7.

The facility offers private accommodations, a communal building for kosher dining, and provides an environment of support and community. Activities available include sports, dance, and access to yeshiva for religious education.

Rabbi Mandel Moscowitz, who oversees the camp, ensures the well-being of the inhabitants, catering to a spectrum of Jewish backgrounds.

Eva Kopolovich, a psychotherapist from near the Israeli-Lebanese border, was evacuated alongside 160,000 others by the Israeli Defense Forces following the attacks. A Hungary native, she returned with her family to her birth country, finding solace at the camp with others who empathize with the dislocation experience.

Many residents, like Moscowitz, who hails from Kharkiv, Ukraine, have sought asylum in the camp after initially fleeing to Israel. Their shared displacement aids Moscowitz in understanding and addressing the needs of the refugees.

Slomo Koves, a senior rabbi in the Hungarian Jewish community, acknowledges the distressing need for such a refuge in today’s Europe, despite pride in Hungary’s humanitarian role.

While some families have gone back to Israel, others remain at the camp, hopeful for peace in Ukraine, Israel, and globally.

Find the coverage of the war at bigbignews.net.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Jewish refugee sanctuary

More about Jewish refugee sanctuary

• [Jewish Refugee Crisis]
• [Hungary’s Humanitarian Response]
• [Israel-Hamas Conflict Overview]
• [Ukraine to Israel Refugee Path]
• [Lake Balaton’s Refugee Camp]