Bogsem in budapest
Read up on what the editor has to say about our Bogrim’s recent Bogsem trip to Budapest.
Our Bogrim recently embarked on a journey to Budapest, Hungary - the annual Bogsem. Rich with Jewish history, culture and the most delectable pastries we’ve ever had.
The days were packed in the most efficient way possible. Setting off from Luton early in the morning and landing in Hungary just a couple of hours later, we were on track for what was about to be a great weekend.
Our first taste of the country was a literal one - pizur lunch - no better way to immerse ourselves than diving into food.
Our incredible tour guide, Agi, took us to mesmerising landmarks such as Matthias Church and a wonderful view of Parliament across the river.
Alfie loved ‘embracing the culture despite the cold weather.’
Of course, no FZY trip is complete without ruach, blasting Hebrew music on the coach through the winding streets of Budapest, matched with blasting Hebrew music on a private river cruise along the Danube.
Blink, and it’s Friday. Shabbat is just a few hours away. Agi took us to the only Jewish theatre, Golem Theatre, where we heard from the incredible man who founded it. We were taken to the Jewish Quarter, unaware that the city is seeping with heritage. Amazingly, many places, wherever you would go, would have Hebrew translations, which took many of us aback. What a privilege to realise so many Jews can be loud and proud about their identity and their roots.
We walked around the largest synagogue in Europe, stunned by its beautiful architecture, and everyone listened keenly as Agi explained the Neolog strand of Judaism, a denomination many had never even heard of.
“The weekend in Budapest was great. FZY have put together an amazing trip, and all the people have added so much to it. Budapest is a beautiful city and has really exceeded my expectations.”
Shabbat rolled around, and we tried something never done before: we walked to the Jewish Agency building, and our Bogrim spent just under an hour volunteering with children, refugees from Ukraine, entertaining them at a birthday party. The smiles on their faces are something that will stick with many of us for a very long time. A strong sense of fulfilment came from knowing we were doing something to benefit these kids, aged between 5 and 10. Many ‘6,7’s later, we were on the way to our beautiful service, led by our very own Adam B and Ben S, in a shul preceding FND. Dinner was filled with food, ruach, shabbatmosphere and a strong consensus of unity streaming up and down the table.
Natalia expressed she ‘loved dinner and chatting with everyone.’
Shabbat was a time for relaxing, great discussions among members, a delicious lunch and even a scheduled Shabbat Shluf (mandate it at Veida?) Havdallah was the cherry on the top (or the cinnamon in the chimney cake). A gorgeous moment of togetherness, complete by singing Adon Olam.
Saturday evening, we hit the town and fully immersed ourselves in Budapest’s incredible food scene. Our very own Max shared his thoughts on the burger he thoroughly devoured at Ashis.
“The bun lost it a couple of points, being too big for the burger. As a result, it felt like there was no meat, just bread. However, the mayo topped it and the chips saved it so it gets a 6.8/10”
Max enjoying his burger at Ashis
However, Lauren indulged in the same burger and says she ‘loved it.’ While Adam B contended he ‘enjoyed the grilled pargiot as a fourth-time attendee.’
The group indulged in chimney cakes, loving them so much that we even started imagining what kind we’d be. Adam K informed me that he would be one with Oreo crumbs on the outside and chocolate ice cream on the inside, topped with pistachio sauce. Unfortunately, Max controversially shared that he didn’t like the chimeny cake and therefore, would not be one. Luckily, Josh saved the moment by announcing that he would be a pistachio and Nutella chimney cake with vanilla ice cream.
That brings us to Sunday, our last day in Budapest. Agi took us to the famous Shoes on the Danube memorial, where we learnt about the maltreatment towards Jewish people in Hungary. We were told incredibly moving stories and it’s indescribable to say how times have changed here.
In our last few hours, the time was spent relaxing in the Budapest thermal baths and visiting the nearby city of Szendtre. We entered the Micro Art Museum and the Marzipan Museum - two exquisite exhibitions and wandered around the nearby streets.
Roxie expressed this weekend was ‘an incredible experience and it was fantastic to observe a different culture’ and Uriah shared the trip was a ’10/10.’
As we left Budapest, there was a shared feeling of gratitude for the experiences we’d had and the memories that will live on as some of the most special moments of our FZY journey.
