I first heard about the trip to Budapest to the Sandor Scheiber Gimnazium school from friends that previously attended this trip. From then I started to consider about applying, I thought about this trip some more and realized how meaningful and life-changing this experience could be.
As the day of departure nears I begin to remember the feeling when I got the email that I got chosen to participate on this trip. Seeing the email pop up on my phone, I was a little nervous to open it to find out whether I had gotten accepted or not, thankfully I did. Ever since I processed the good news I have been looking forward to this trip every day since this will be my first time in Europe. A lot of things are going through my mind about what it’s like in Hungary. For example, what a Jewish school in Hungary is like? Or what types of food do they have?
At Beth Tfiloh there is a wide spectrum of Jews, some observant, all the way to some that are just learning about Jewish values for their first time. Because of this, every student is able to connect to Judaism in their own way. This is something I find very special because everyone is able to express their Judaism in their own way.
Additionally, having never stepped foot in Europe I would love to have an opportunity to experience the culture and the differences from America in the Jewish and secular communities. I cannot wait to be in Budapest to share my love for Judaism to the Hungarian students and I hope that they will see that it is a great thing to love your Jewish identity. Throughout this great opportunity, I am looking forward to making new friendships and strengthen the ones I have already. ~ Sarah S
