Former Synagogue

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According to a census from 1723-24, there were already 7 Jewish families living in Bodrogkeresztúr at that time, and their numbers steadily increased throughout the 18th century. The strengthening of the community and religious life is evidenced by the fact that the first rabbi of the Pest Israelite congregation, Israel Wahrmann, served as a rabbi in Bodrogkeresztúr before 1765. Data from the same year also indicates that Jewish merchants from Pest County visited the market in Keresztúr. A few decades later, in 1786, 256 Jewish residents were recorded in the settlement, living in 65 households. Following the Toleration Edict of Joseph II, a school could be built, which makes it noteworthy that one of the first public Jewish schools in Hungary began operating in Bodrogkeresztúr in 1785, the same year as the first public Jewish school in Miskolc. The Bodrogkeresztúr school had a total of 25 students in its first and second grades, with local overseer Rabbi Eliezer London and teacher Fülöp Lőrre. This school relocated to Mád in 1788. In the 18th century, most Jews were leaseholders, but there is evidence from Bodrogkeresztúr that vineyard owners also lived in the settlement. In 1771, 26 acres of vineyards were already cultivated by Jewish owners. In the third quarter of the 18th century, there were two Jewish temples in Zemplén County. One synagogue was certainly operational in Bodrogkeresztúr by 1767, and the other in Mád by 1771. However, since there were 36 Jewish leaseholders in Keresztúr, 48 in Mád, and 54 in Tolcsva in 1771, it is likely that Jewish residents in Tolcsva, living under similar circumstances, also had a synagogue. Later, three synagogues operated in the settlement. The former Neolog temple, which is still visible today, was built in 1809 with its five large clover-shaped windows and mansard roof with broken lines. The building now serves as a tourist and stork conservation centre.