As I wandered the halls alone it seemed highly unlikely that I would stumble upon the graduation portrait of a woman I had only met two times at Beth Tfiloh. But, as I rounded the corner of the 3rd floor, there it (she) was safe behind glass in the corner of the building. It was in that moment when Baltimore met Budapest, that my purpose for coming here was crystal clear.
The Jews of Budapest are also looking for something. They are looking for the Jewish community that Hungary was once known for. The rich heritage and culture that was stolen from them during the years leading up to and following the Holocaust. For some, it means recreating family traditions, such as adult children hosting Passover Seder for their parents, young kids joining BBYO, or reconnecting with grandparents and great grandparents who are finally free to share secrets from the past. For one young man I met, it meant converting to Judaism at the age of 16 and living an observant life.
For the teachers and students of Beth Tfiloh it means being part of this exciting rebirth taking place in a small school in Budapest and connecting with a generation of Jewish children eager to learn and embrace their Jewish identities. We are making a difference in their lives by bringing them the blessings of education, friendship and support. We are saving Jewish children!
