The strength we possess when united
It has been a week since I returned home from Budapest and I can’t believe it. Every day I have an experience that triggers my memory and I recall another small detail from ...
Value my Judaism
I cannot believe the trip is over, that I am no longer in Budapest but rather back in America. As I am writing this, I am wondering how I will include all the things I learned in Budapest into my everyday ...
Cherish forever
I can’t believe I am back. The trip went by so fast. I had so much fun. I loved touring the city, glaring at every site around me. I loved bonding with the Hungarian teenagers and sharing both serious ...
Being Jewish is the sense of community
It is difficult to convey the impact of Beth Tfiloh’s partnership with Scheiber Sandor this past week. Picture Alessa Elbaum and Margot Jay teaching girls from Hungary how to say the blessing of al ...
My turn
After long and exhausting flights, I am finally back home. Mentally, however, I am still there, in Budapest, surrounded by BT and SSG students and teachers. It’s hard to separate “ours” and “Hungarian” ...
A New Perspective
When I close my eyes, I see the antique buildings lining the streets, the vibrant colors, and bustling city. I am amazed that after just one week I was able to make lasting friendships with my peers ...
Make our days count
This coming Shabbat, we will celebrate Rosh Chodesh Nisan. It is customary to recite Hallel on Rosh Chodesh and some have the custom to add the following verse from Bereishit, the first book of the ...
“The end of the beginning”
I had a moment. A moment in which I received something special. A moment in which something changed within me. A moment in which I felt alive. A moment in which I felt cared about. That moment was our ...
The Best Experience of my Life
Feeling an overwhelming sense of excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the trip to Budapest, I could not wait to get there. I knew this would be an unforgettable experience. ...
All of Me
As the Beth Tfiloh students gather with the SSG students on the final night of our Shabbaton, a sense of unity and friendship arises in the form of a bonfire. At this moment in the cold and dewy evening ...
Lifetime connections
As I reminisce on the week in Budapest, Hungary tears fill my eyes, wishing to go back. I wish that week, filled with incredible journeys and close friendships, would ...
“A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall”
A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall was a song written by Bob Dylan in 1962. Moreover, this was just one of dozens of songs written by Dylan that year, of which most had political undertones, if ...
Beautiful Mission
As we get to the airport I am thinking about all of the amazing memories and friendships I have made on this trip. I already knew from Saturday night that saying goodbye would be tough, but it would ...
Now Until Forever
As the final minutes of my flight home pass, I reminisce about the incredible opportunity I had this last week. The opportunity to build longlasting friendships, bonds, and memories that I will cherish ...
I’ve never minded goodbyes…
I’ve never minded goodbyes before until now. I understand that in life you meet people, you separate
and that’s the end of your relationship, but I felt something different at the end ...
Do not be sad because it ended, but be happy for that it happened
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 ...
Amazing memories
I have joined the group this year. I was very excited about the arrival of the Baltimore team. I met the group on Monday and during the week all the programs went on unbelievably fast. It seemed to ...
Shabbat – Richness of the day
This fantastic Shabbaton has been held for the second time this school-year… and it will be a source of spiritual and physical strength for the coming season.
It is hard to find words that ...
Campfire
As the week came to a close, I did not want to leave. My new friendships and memories would soon be associated with the past. I never wanted this experience to end; the week was so much fun. We toured ...
Keeping friendships alive
As this amazing trip comes to an end I want to make sure that I take every last opportunity to strengthen the friendships I have made so far. As we are all taking the bus to the campsite for the Shabbaton ...
