Coinciding with public commemorations of the founding of Hungary — celebrated every year on Aug. 20 — President Janos Ader bestowed the Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic upon Chabad-Lubavitch of Hungary director Rabbi Baruch Oberlander.

The rabbi received the award from Minister of Human Resources Zoltan Balog during a special ceremony last Thursday.

Hungary’s highest state honor, the Order of Merit recognizes distinguished service to the country. Oberlander, who came to Hungary in 1989 with wife Batsheva to establish the nation’s first Chabad House, received the medal in recognition for his more than two decades of rabbinical service and for sparking a revival of Hungarian Judaism.

Chabad-Lubavitch of Hungary recently welcomed three new emissary couples to its staff.