That one week…

„I am here, as if I belonged to this place”.

I took it on myself to fall out of my comfort zone on this trip, moreover, I was not waiting for it too much. I mean obviously I was thrilled about seeing my friends, but I was really nervous about it. I did not know how I would get on with my host person (Sarah), I did not know what would happen in the school and in the programs and I was afraid of the language barrier as well. When we arrived at BT, everybody was glad at me (of course not just at me) even those who I had not been able to contact with on their visit to Hungary in March. I felt so amazed. Sitting next to Sarah in her car I felt it would be hard for me to fight the language barrier. When we arrived at their house, her parents greeted me with love, which I absolutely had not expected, thinking that I was only a stranger to them. In school everybody was so nice to us. We gained an insight into the American teenagers’ world. It was weird to see how different they were and even so how similar. Lifestyle is so different as if it did not matter how cold it is outside or inside you drink ice cold water even then. Day by day we got closer to each other. We got increasingly more used to each other, though we were together all day long, we talked and we fooled around. To me Skyzone was the groundbreaking step, it was like we were just jumping out the stress, the barriers. And the Shabbaton? It was awesome. There I could feel that „I am here, as if I belonged to this place”. We danced, laughed, talked, enjoyed each other’s company and punchlines. The farewell was one of the hardest moments in my life and I do not exaggerate it. It felt like I was leaving my big-tiny family there. I was sitting on the bus and I felt like crying because I needed to leave. SSG Morim Limmud Program gave me a lot, I feel that I am so much more than I was when I left Budapest for Baltimore. I miss everyone so much! I think that one week puts a very strong bond between us. I would like to thank Alan Reinitz and Glynis Smith for their making this opportunity become true. And I would like to say thank our teachers for their being there for us and helping us with everything even though they were really exhausted.

I would like to thank everybody for this unforgettable experience, for the best birthday ever in my life and the friendships that we made in this program. I hope we will meet again! ~Natália B., Grade 13

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First time in my life I loved going to school

I was really looking forward to this week, not just because I was excited to see my best friends, but also because I had never been to America before. I was a little bit scared of the 7 hour-long flight, but it wasn’t even that bad. When we arrived at the school on Sunday, I didn’t even have time to be jet-legged. Everyone was greeting us, and this was the moment when I realized how much I had actually missed them. During the trip, I had the time of my life. Surprisingly, I loved going to school every morning (I think that was my favorite part), because I could really get a taste of what it was like to go to an American school. I also really enjoyed the projects that we did one afternoon with Art with a Heart. We had fun making crafts together and knowing that it was for a great reason made it even better.
One thing that I’ve learned during the trip is that in Beth Tfiloh there are so many different ways that the students can decorate their own school and make mandatory things kind of fun in some ways, and I think this would be possible in our school as well. Right now that I’ve been home for a week I’m really sad, because I know I won’t see my friends for a while, but I’m sure that I’ll visit them again in the future. I’m really grateful that I got to be a part of this trip, because I made some really good friends along the way. One thing that I would do differently next time is that I would give more free time to the students during Shabbaton, because we were at a really nice place with lots of animals, but unfortunately, I didn’t have time to see them. ~ Brigitta B, Grade 13

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Stepping out of ones comfort zone

I had been waiting for the trip to Baltimore since last March when BT students and teachers had visited our country. The date of the trip finally came and it is unbelievable how fast the time went by and the trip is already over.
Many people asked me about how it was. My answer is that it was phenomenal. But this word cannot describe how I feel. It is impossible to express in words how magical this week was to me.
Some people asked me what I had enjoyed the most during the trip. Honestly, I cannot answer this question, because I cannot choose only one from the thousands of unbelievable moments. When I think about the days we spent in Baltimore memories are continuously popping up in my head: the corridors of the school, the lessons, the synagogues in Baltimore, the view of Washington, jumping in Sky Zone, the conversations, laughing a lot, the games we played and of course the highlight of the week, the Shabbaton.
During the trip, we both learned from each other. We learned from BT teachers and students, but also from our students, who taught me that if I pushed myself and step out of my comfort zone I could achieve goals that first might seem impossible.
I’m extremely happy that I experienced this memorable week with my colleagues. Preparation for the lessons was really good. Our hard work was worth it because our lessons were successful. All the participants enjoyed it, even the ones who were just looking from outside.
During the week in Baltimore (just as during their visit in March) I noticed the happiness of togetherness. It was heart-warming to see that the connection was getting stronger and stronger between us.
The last part of the trip was the amazing Shabbaton at a beautiful place surrounded by nature. During the weekend our Jewish identity got stronger by praying a lot and singing together as one community. We played different games and had many amazing conversations. At the end of the Shabbat meal, each and everyone got a book written by Rabbi Soskil.
Last but not least I would like to say thank you for SOS International: Enriching Jewish Identities for the opportunity and also to BT for the warm welcome and the cooperation. I’m extremely excited about the upcoming journey. I also want to say thank you to Glynis Smith and Alan Reinitz who put all their heart and soul into the program and without them, this unforgettable adventure could not come true.
We are looking forward to seeing you again in March. ~ Zita Bauer, SSG Educator, Elementary School Teacher, Sciences

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My experiences in Baltimore

For me, it was the first time ever in the United States and the second occasion participating in the Morim Limmud Program. Therefore I had already known all the SSG/BT students and teachers attending the program.

Before our departure I was very excited because of the unknown places I would visit and I was curious to see some new ways of teaching and get some more resources to use in my work. The transatlantic flight was also one of the reasons for being excited.

Our journey was safe and sound and our welcome was heart-warming.

The days passed faster than I thought they would due to the numerous experiences we had. We visited Baltimore, Washington DC, we had useful meetings and most of all: the school.

Being there at Beth Tfiloh was a turning point in my life as I had always wanted to know the American way of approaching Sciences and teaching them. Now I’ve got a huge amount of examples, methods, and ideas about it. Through this experience, I have plenty of ideas and projects to implement in my everyday practice. It can make my work more efficient and for my students, the time spent with learning will become more pleasurable and easier. It was a pleasure to see a society and an education system which believes that Sciences represented the future. They also believe that we have to prepare our students for it and provide them with the competence to use so that it can make their lives successful and make this planet a better place to live on.

The other big surprise for me was the STEM-lab and how it was involved in the curriculum. It was a big novelty for me, I had heard about it, but I didn’t know its meaning in the practice. The integrated approach to these materials is essential in this century. I feel lucky to be probably one of the first ones from Hungary to see this integrated method in everyday teaching and gave me the possibility to adapt it to our curriculum.

The Morim Limmud Program gave me new ideas to accomplish and let me see how a modern school does work, what is needed in the 21st century.

That is why I felt I had to write this blog to give thanks to Alan Reinitz, Glynis Smith and the SOS Morim Limmud Program to make my ways of teaching change and gave me the opportunity to show and explain to my colleagues all I had seen. ~Ferenc Mark, SSG Educator, Science

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They just left…

They just left. It’s been about an hour and I’m still crying. Crying because it’s over. The bond that was formed will still be everlasting but it’s still different. We will never stop talking to each other but there is something different. A good different and a bad different.

I’ll start with the good (everybody loves the good). The bond we made is still here and will forever always be here. I will forever love my Budapest friends (right now I’m trying to convince my parents to allow me to visit them over the summer!). The bond as I mentioned previously is everlasting. It’s the small moments that mean the most (as much as the programmed stuff helped us bond, it was when we were alone, being kids that helped strengthen the bond most). One of my favorite moments happened today (although there are so many and you are gonna hear a lot of them so…get ready). Today we had a farewell meal. During the meal, I was sitting next to my good friend (very good

friend, because I love them all and it feels like we’ve been friends forever), Simon. I had been wearing Simons scarf (it is black and very comfy) since the Shabbaton. But today, I also had on his ‏black beanie, his black sunglasses, and his black jeans (and fuzzy) jacket. Suffice to say, I had become Simon. And to add the cherry on top, he had on my red and black fuzzy jacket. This is just another example of us being kids. Us bonding in the way kids are meant to, by being silly and wearing each other’s clothing (I really love that scarf).

The bad moments aren’t actually bad, they are just really (really, really) sad. The farewell dinner is exactly as it sounds. Saying goodbye (but not forever). After the meal, where we all talked and had our last bit of fun came the sad part. Saying goodbye was the hardest thing I had to do. Like I mentioned it an hour later and I still have tear after tear leaking down my face. But as much as it was sad, it showed everyone present the strength of our bond. Nobody wanted to be separated. There was talk of running and hiding in a closet to miss the planes so they wouldn’t have to leave (of course it was only talk). The hugs really made the tears fall. I must have hugged everybody twice. I was just standing there leaning into the hug from my newly (not so new, we were also friends in March) made friend, just crying. I was physically shaking with sobs. And even though we were hugging and trying to comfort each other it was still horribly sad. Sad that we had to leave. Sad that words weren’t enough. But that sadness is what was meant to be there. SOS is meant to make bonds like this. As much as nobody liked leaving and being the ones left, it was a necessity. The program was made for us to form the bond that made us want to hide our friends so they wouldn’t leave. The program was made for us to stay after they had left still crying (at least I was…still am actually) and talk about how we will stay connected through the time we are not together. We came up with a plan (but shhh…it’s a secret…for now) to keep us in touch (and maybe even still pray together every once in a while). So as sad as it was (and it’s heartbreakingly sad) it’s also a great opportunity to continue to share this bond (and make it stronger even though it doesn’t really need to be because it’s so strong now).

Now I told you I would share some of the little moments so after all that sad talk here is a funny one.

During the first night of dinner, I was trying to pour myself a cup of water (key word…trying), I spilled the water however. Next (same night) a new pitcher of water was placed on the table and in trying to move it I made some splash over the top. That was night one. I’ll skip the many other spills I had and go into the two most important. I had a cup of tea in the davening room. While picking it up I dropped it all into the carpet and my shoes (newish shoes). I cleaned the spill up of course but they got a little stained. Now this morning (Sunday morning) I was having a cup of passion tea. And surprise, surprise, I spilled the tea. It got all over the table and my shoes. I was so scared my shoes would stain. But thankfully they only have a little bit of color. But Glynis told me something amazing. It was along the lines of don’t worry about it, it shows you were here. And now whenever I look at my stained Tim’s I’ll know when it happened and all the feelings that were there.

My last moment was staying up until three am last night. Except I didn’t stay up. I fell asleep on one of my friends. And to show how bonded we are, they didn’t wake me up, they didn’t move me. I was allowed to sleep for a few hours on this person while they just sat there and talked with the people around us. It was a moment where everybody felt the bond. Because at three am were (really them) were all awake and just taking (I heard from a friend what happened while I was asleep). And despite being asleep, I still felt it. I felt the connection that Alan and Glynis made possible.

I cannot, and never will be able to thank them enough. They brought us together. They made out connection possible. And they encourage us to do what we want. For that, I am forever grateful for those two amazingly wonderful humans.-Lily G., Beth Tfiloh student

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From a different perspective

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.

 
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The Shabbaton – from a male point of view

This Friday, we had another experience we’ve never had before.

We went to the STEM lab for the third period. Mr. Bonina held the class, as usual, I assume. He was talking about the other projects that were robotic arms in the making. After that, he introduced us to the 3D printer and printed us some little gadgets that we asked for.
As soon as we finished, we proceeded to head towards the theatre, where some of us held the Dva’r Torah, followed by the Fireside chat hosted by Ethan Traub.

I haven’t been in front of that big of an audience before, so let’s just say, I was a bit excited. I also had stage fright, but I was able to overcome it after the first question due to the cheering I received. I felt relieved. People even seemed to like the jokes I’ve made. It was a good feeling to make many people laugh.

Also, it was fascinating to see how actively the students were taking part in the school’s life, let it be the students’ government and their goals or the school clubs which made several announcements during the assembly.

After the assembly, we had a period with the student government, where they gave us a deep insight on how their system works and gave us tips & tricks on how to manage it on our own.

Then we proceeded to gather our stuff for Shabbaton.

We quickly changed into our fancy Shabbat clothes, but before the prayers, we had a game of human domino hosted by one of the SSG teachers. From there I got to know Coach Creeger. It turned out we had a lot of things in common. After Kabbalat Shabbat, we had a great conversation throughout the Shabbat dinner. Then we finished our meals and received books written by the rabbi. We had an hour to finish the assigned chapters given to us by Rabbi Soskil. We shared our thoughts about the chapters we were given. After a break, we had a tish. At the tish we ate sweets, sang songs, told stories, and had a good time. That was the last program before we went to bed.

The next morning we woke up to Rabbi Soskil and his specialty, called the Dinosaur song. We went to have breakfast, which was followed by a prayer. We participated in reading from the Torah, and for some of us, it was a new experience.  Avishye Moskowitz helped with great kindness those who felt inexperienced.

We had our lunch, where we sang Shabbat songs. After that we had some free time. Before the next prayer we had games hosted some SSG kids and even Rabbi Soskil.

Unfortunately, because of the rain we had the Havdalah indoors, but it didn’t matter, because of the good vibes. The feeling of standing in a circle, singing in the dark while the only illumination was a candle.

At the end of the week, everyone was so in tune with each other that we were bringing food to each other without the other one’s having to ask. We had a lot of great conversations, some even in depth. We played jokes on each other, told each other funny stories. I felt so blessed that I was able to see my old friends I met previously in Budapest and also I got to meet some new people as well.

Simon P., Grade 13

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