On the first leg of our voyage to Budapest, and despite the hour, sleep eludes me. Just had a glimpse of what this trip could mean when we were waiting in line to board and Avishye turned to the other students and asked, “on a scale of 1-10, what are the chances that we become a really close-knit group by the end of the trip?” Aleesa quickly responded, “Duh! 10!”
I look forward to seeing 13 wonderful young men and women connect in a way that they have yet to do. I look forward to seeing those same 13 connect to the students in Budapest. I look forward to seeing those 13 grow in their appreciation for what they have and in their Jewish identity. I look forward to seeing those 13 lead a Shabbaton and inspire others who have yet to experience the beauty of a Shabbat. I look forward to seeing those 13 have a transformative experience.
I have no doubt that those wonderful 13 will be successful in their mission. I am less sure of my own success. Will I be able to connect to the students in Budapest? Will I be able to communicate in an inspiring fashion the beautiful messages in the lessons that I prepared? Will I impact others positively?
Growth comes from going out of one’s comfort zone. Attempting to teach students that I never met, in a foreign country, is certainly out of my comfort zone. The opportunity for personal and professional growth is there, and I have no doubt that I will grow from this experience. The question though is, will that growth come by seeing that I am able to leave that comfort zone and still remain on my two feet, or will it be experienced by learning from my mistakes and picking myself up after I fall.
I am grateful to Dr. Schorr and Rabbi Soskil for choosing me to be a part of this exceptional delegation of Beth Tfiloh teachers and students. Hopefully, we will all be successful and leave a meaningful and impactful impression on the teachers and students in Budapest. Even more importantly, I hope that we are all able to learn from those in Budapest and return to Beth Tfiloh greater teachers, students and people.
I will now make another attempt at sleep. Layla Tov!,
Rabbi Furman
P. S. If any of my students are reading this, you should know that as excited as I am to be on this trip, the one negative aspect is that I won’t be with you this week. I miss you already!
