We started off Friday with the usual Shacharit together and went to grab our breakfast just like on the other days, the latter also had the usual amount of bread involved, too. Our day continued with the (second) visit of David 
Kostelancik, Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy to our school, to have a conversation with the BT and SSG students participating in the program. He was open-minded and responsive towards the questions, and opinions of the students and teachers. Soon after the Deputy left we started rehearsing for the song we would perform later that day on the assembly. We had fun writing lyrics and rehearsing for our version of the song called Wishlist by Pearl Jam. Following the singing, we had an ATR (Ask The Rabbi) session during the next period, where we welcomed Rabbi Peter Deutsch as well among the rabbis we could ask from. Many important questions came up, and I think I could say, that all of those were answered, without exceptions. We went and had our lunch after the session.
We arrived back to the soon-to-be-starting general assembly. First off, we had two Dvar Torahs; one by Gabor Boday, 
and one that the BT girls made together. Both of those were great in their own way and worked out well in the end. We also sang the song we had re-created with all the SSG High school students present. Not too much later, bags got packed into the bus, and set out to Leányfalu, for an amazing Shabbaton coming up, with BTSSG students on board. When we arrived, we were told which room we would stay in during the weekend we spent together. Just after we packed our bags out in our rooms, we were welcomed in the dining room for some snacks. Then it was time to get comfortable with the place, also get to know the place for those who had been there for the first time. We prepared for the Shabbaton, said goodbye to the people back at home for the weekend, made the last selfies, and then handed in our phones. After the prayer session we had, everyone sat together for a Shabbat dinner. We had nice conversations, and the games BT students usually play during such events and were introduced to us, by them. Then, of course, these programs just couldn’t go without dancing and/or singing. Just after everyone finished their meals, we changed to comfy clothes, and after a little break, we assembled for a DMC, which stands for deep meaningful conversations. Which it was! It was something that was; in one way or another; beneficial to everyone who was sitting there. When we finished, some ice creams were waiting for us, which felt great after a serious, and long conversation about Judaism. Then everything worked out itself, we started gathering around a table, having several conversations and we started to play soon. It was really fun but ended in a few hours since everyone was exhausted after a long, packed day.
Let’s skip somewhat like 7 hours of sleep. So most of us were sleeping, and dreaming deeply, when Rabbi Soskil hit the Dinosaur song, along with our doors. So we went to the dining room, have breakfast, talking to each other. Then after some praying, we had the opportunity for an alternative davening, which I took. We talked about differences and similarities between religion and spirituality. Then, lunch was ready, so we went and had it. After that, it was time to relax and socialize a bit more, so that was what happened. When this break came to an end we started playing some games, which were more and more fun. Then, if I wanted to simplify it, I would say, we prayed, and then we ate. Then came one of my favorite parts throughout the week. We gathered in the shul and started singing together. For me, these are just beautiful moments, where unity gets a new meaning. We listened to speeches and had some laughs along with them as well, but in the end, it was as it usually is, everyone learned something meaningful. We had our break, and then Havdalah, which is (for the same reason) also one of my favorite fragments of the Shabbaton. Regarding that, it was good to know, that everyone makes mistakes, even rabbis, and it only ended up with more singing, so I think it was supposed to be this way. Then it was break time again, so everybody spent their time knowing, that it is the last evening and few hours together. I think that all of us enjoyed that night, beside the bonfire singing, dancing, having conversations or talking more privately in a bit calmer place than the fireplace. I’m sure I can say in anyone’s name and not lie, that we did not get much sleep, but it was okay this way. So fast skip to 5.45 A.M. almost everyone was having their breakfast half-asleep in the dining room, some were getting ready in their rooms. Fortunately though, when it mattered, everyone was on the bus who was supposed to be there. When we got to the airport, those who formed some deeper, closer relationships with one another, got more emotional, which of course was not unexpected after such an event. In the end, everyone accepted what happened, and could follow the well-known saying that: „Do not be sad because it ended, but be happy for that it happened”.
Ákos I, Grade 12
