A bit more than a month ago I arrived to Budapest full with anticipations and enthusiasm to start my Shlichut with EMC. I must say I had two big uncertainties; first, how would I handle the freezing cold in Europe? (Just to remind you; I come from Israel- the Land of Milk & Honey and twenty degrees in January). And second; how am I going to like Budapest, and get along in this big unfamiliar city?

After meeting with the chairman of Maccabi Hungary- Jozsef Horvath, my second uncertainty has disappeared. Besides introducing me with the structure of EMC and Maccabi Hungary he assisted me with every other aspect I needed, starting from opening a bank account to introducing me to people from the community at the Synagogue where he prays every Shabbat evening with his family. I would like to take this opportunity and thank Jozsef for the warm welcome and huge help he gave me, proving that calling Maccabi “a family” isn’t just a word. Concerning my first uncertainty by the way; I haven’t got used to the freezing cold yet.

Last week we celebrated Tu Bishvat, and all the wonderful people I met here during my first month were invited to celebrate it together in my apartment. Around fifty people arrived to the event; both Hungarian and Israeli students. Special guests were Birthright group members that just returned from there tour in Israel. During the evening we learned about the meaning of Tu Bishvat and its customs from Dr. Gabor Balasz’s short lecture, (Israel Cultural Institution (ICI) Director). The Israeli students with their guitar taught holiday songs and together we sang them and other Israeli songs. One special activity was writing wishes on leafs and hanging them on a tree, creating a flowering “wishing tree” full with personal wishes and dreams. (My wish by the way was to see Gilad Shalit returning safe to his home in the close future). No Tu Bishvat party can take place without dried and fresh fruits, wine and other good stuff that was part of the beautiful table as you can see at the attached photos. In order to introduce the guests with my job here and of course with Maccabi, we watched short films presenting the Hungarian Maccabi delegation to the 18th Maccabiah in Israel, and its achievements. I can tell that it was touching and exciting to see how successful and impressing Maccabi Hungary and the Maccabiah event are.

Did you celebrate Tu Bishvat at your Maccabi community? I would love to hear more about it, please write to my This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For more photos from the party you are welcome to enter this link.

I have a new cellular number; feel free to use it any time: 00-36-70-866-0870

Wishing all of us wonderful new month,

Take care,

Michal Levy
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