A recent trip to Hungary gave a group of bochurim from London yeshiva the chance to take in the country’s rich Jewish heritage while still keeping up a full schedule of learning and Chassidishe activities.

The trip started at the Chabad resort near Lake Balaton, where the bochurim joined shiurim, farbrengens, and regular sedorim. Learning stayed at the center of the trip the whole time, continuing each day and even on the bus rides between stops.

The group later headed to Budapest, where they visited historic shuls and other important Jewish sites around the city. Many of the shuls they saw are now active again thanks to the work of local shluchim, showing the steady growth of Jewish life in Hungary.

Leading the tour was Rabbi Yaakov Blesofsky, son-in-law of Rabbi Shlomo Köves, who shared the history behind the city’s Jewish landmarks and gave the bochurim a look at the lively community there today.

One of the most memorable parts of the trip was a stop at several sites with deep Jewish significance, where the bochurim stood together singing heartfelt niggunim. Their singing caught the attention of passersby and created a moving scene in places that were once home to thriving Jewish communities.

During the trip, the bochurim also visited Rabbi Shmuel Glitzenstein, where they davened Mincha and were warmly hosted for a meal.

The trip was organized by the yeshiva’s shluchim, with Rabbi Gedalia Hertz accompanying the group on behalf of the hanhola.

The visit wrapped up with a farbrengen hosted by Chief Rabbi and head shliach Rabbi Boruch Oberlander, who spoke to the bochurim about the sugyos they were learning and shared stories from his Shlichus.