Over this weekend, I had the privilege to attend the Beth Tfiloh High School annual Shabbaton. As cold gusts of wind blew, we gathered together to sing and eat together after some deep meaningful discussions with our peers. I had eagerly anticipated this very weekend for weeks, yet I found myself feeling unsettled and confused toward my awaiting journey to Budapest.
As the voices of my peers penetrated the walls of Capital Camps with song, I pondered the role of Judaism in my life. How can I go to another country to connect with Jewish people if I cannot explain the role of Judaism in my own life? What about this religion makes me want to invest my life in it and its practices? Why do I love it so much?
The swelling voices flooding my mind made me think of the people I am going to meet and reunite within Hungary this week. I thought of the incredible opportunity waiting for me only a few hours away. I could barely contain my excitement.
I realized that this excitement stemmed from the thought of sharing and bonding over the love of our Jewish culture. Our songs, our dances, and our love for others.
This bond is always something that will be there. It’s in our blood. We choose every day to “be Jewish” and the fact that I will get to travel to spend time with others who share this same bond with me is something that I am so grateful for.
As the final verse of the song was sung, I sat with my eyes closed. I imagined sitting on the plane with my friends and teachers. I imagined taking off, landing, transferring, and finally arriving in Budapest. I imagined hugging my Jewish peers in Budapest. And lastly, I imagined that bond that has formed and will continue to strengthen between all of us during our time there this week. At that moment, I opened my eyes. I realized that this bond is why I invest my life in Judaism and its practices. That’s why I love my religion so much. So much that I can barely wait to continue to share it with my peers overseas. ~ Aleesa E.
