Aish Budapest Friday night dinner brings together 400 school leavers
Now in its third year, European Shabbat experience has become popular rite of passage for inter-railing students
More than 400 Jewish post A-level students from 18 schools came together in Budapest last weekend for Aish UK’s third Shabbat experience.
All participants are in the middle of European inter-railing trips and this year’s group was the largest gathering so far.
The event has grown from 150 students in its 2023 inaugural year, and 180 students last year.
The weekend started with a tour of Jewish Budapest led by Rabbi Zvi Gefen (director of Aish Manchester) on Friday afternoon. As dusk fell, the students gathered in the courtyard of the iconic Kacinczy Synagogue complex, reuniting with old friends and meeting new ones, following which they experienced a moving Kabbalat Shabbat.
Students then went on to enjoy meals in seven different locations, arranged by the university they hope to attend from September.
On Shabbat morning the students all davened together, before a traditional Hungarian kiddush, another walking tour of Jewish Budapest, lunch with 140 people and finally a musical havdallah with Rabbi Rafi Stemmer, head of Aish UK schools department and who runs the inter-railing Shabbat.
He told Jewish News: “It’s amazing to see that the Aish Budapest interrailing Friday night dinner has now become almost a ‘rite of passage’ for Jewish students across the spectrum. With the rise in antisemitism and the negativity we see in the media, it’s more crucial than ever that young Jews enjoy positive Jewish experiences like this. It was a weekend filled with warmth, connection and inspiration for all, and I’m humbled to be a part of it.”
Yavneh student Ariella called the experience “truly incredible, such a warming feeling, with over 400 young Jews uniting in Budapest to bring in Shabbat. The atmosphere was amazing, everyone felt so connected and we are so thankful to Aish for organising such a wonderful weekend for us.”
To find out more or put your name down for next year, email rstemmer@aish.org.uk.
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