Last time I wrote the blogs from a different perspective. Last time I was in Budapest, I was the traveler, I was the one with jet lag. This time, however, I am the host. I have somebody staying in my house. I get to show people around my city. And most importantly I got in touch with my Judaism once again.
I’m not going to lie. After getting back from the trip there, for a few weeks was more in touch than ever before. But after a few weeks, I lost that touch. Now, however, I’m realizing how lucky I am. How lucky I am to be in America, where I can practice freely.
During this morning Shabbats praying, there was an option for an alternative prayer. In this, we talked about what the SOS program means to us. There were so many responses that showed how important this program is for all of us. My take on the program is that it breaks down barriers. In the end, we are all teenagers and it amazes me that this program allows us (teenagers from two different countries) to get along like we’ve known each other our whole lives.
The first day, it was around 8:45 pm when the buses came from the airport. The second they emerged from the bus it was like it’s hadn’t been a year. A year since we had last seen each other. Everybody was just hugging and smiling. There was no unhappy face in that crowd. It was amazing.
The week passed so quickly. I can’t believe it’s almost over. These past two days we have been on a Shabbaton. It had been fantastic. Like I mentioned earlier, we are just teenagers. On Friday night, for example, we stayed up until like 2 am just talking and goofing around. Despite all that we all go through personally we are still in the end teenagers. At dinner, we played pranks on each other. Waters were salted. I would make a very sugary tea (because I needed the energy to stay awake) it would get passed around to be tasted. Because again (I will never be able to say this enough) we are just teenagers!! Teenagers who learn from each other. I have learned to appreciate my Judaism more. How privileged I am to be able to practice mine. I used to take it for granted. I would get bored in my Jewish classes. Now I see it in a whole new light. I feel more in touch with my Judaism than ever before.
Tonight for example. (After Shabbat ended of course) we all sat around in a rec room watching a movie. We all agree fed on the movie and relaxed on each other watching a movie. And when the movie ended some people headed to different places. But as I am typing this now, I’m sitting on a couch in a dark room watching “Pitch Perfect 2” with around 11 people. Some of us on the couch, others on the floor and some just in chairs pushed right up against each other. I couldn’t have asked for a better end to this week. We ended it like kids. Just watching TV, or listening to loud (very, very loud) music, playing ping pong, or just talking. As mentioned many times, we are just teenagers. Except we are all contracted through a sense of community that SOS brings us.
I am forever grateful for this program and for Alan and Glynis who have brought us all together. And for helping create this everlasting friendship and bond.
-Lily G.
