From Historic Restoration to Cross-Cultural Unity: Hungarian Teen Camp’s Tremendous Impact

Amidst centuries-old gravestones in Keszthely, Hungary, an unlikely scene unfolded this summer. Jewish teens from across the globe, armed with gardening tools and determination, breathed new life into the forgotten Jewish cemetery. Clearing tangled ivy and algae-covered stones, the teens restored dignity to a once-thriving community’s final resting place.

This meaningful project was one of many undertaken by CTeen Balaton, a unique summer camp on the shores of Hungary’s Lake Balaton. For 10 days, the picturesque lakeside became home to Jewish teens from 15 countries across Europe, the United States, and Israel.

CTeen Balaton goes beyond typical summer camp fare. While kayaking and campfires feature prominently, so do encounters with living Jewish history and hands-on community service. “It was so special to hear from the elderly cemetery caretaker about his story, and to protect a piece of Jewish history which would otherwise have been forgotten about,” said Ethan Hobbs, 17, an active member of CTeen Kansas City who joined the camp this summer.

“The teens spent hours getting their hands dirty and uncovering the graves from the overgrowth Uncovering names and memorials with dignity. Pouring their heart and souls into transforming the place, they exemplified how Jews respect our dead,” said Mrs. Dinie Rapoport, Co-director of CTeen Mequon Wisconsin who together with her husband Rabbi Moshe were staff members on the trip.

With groups of teens joining the camp from as far as Bucks County, PA to Brussels, Belgium, and the holy land, the camp represented a wide range of Jewish experiences in the modern world. 

“Future Jewish leaders need to understand Jewish life around the world,” says Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, executive director of Merkos 302, CTeen’s umbrella organization. “When American teens connect with Jews their age from different places, they learn about different cultures and challenges, both past and present. This helps them understand and care more about Jews everywhere.”

The camp became home to both CTeen regulars and first-timers. “Out of 4100 students in my Brussels high school, only 6 are Jewish,” explains Eliam Barmoshe, 15. “Even though I had never been in CTeen before and knew no one at the start, I left having met around 100 other Jewish teens, made new friends, and felt so accepted.”

Another memorable moment for Eliam, Ethan, and their newfound friends, was visiting the famed shoe memorial on Lake Danube in Budapest. In the winter of 1944-1945, hundreds of Jews were executed in brutal fashion by the Hungarian Arrow Cross party who forced them to remove their shoes before being shot into the river. An assortment of copper men’s, women’s, and children’s shoes brings home the extent of this evil.

“We did mitzvot, lay tefillin, and prayed with pride at the very spot our enemies killed our ancestors, together with the campers and some other Jewish tourists,” Ethan recalls. “Standing proud, singing with arms linked was a powerful moment. Our enemies valued shoes more than human life, and are no longer around but we’re here as proud, caring Jews and that will never change.”

For over 100 teenage boys and girls, the 10-day camp provided a platform to bond with being a Jewish teen as the sole uniting factor. All other differences were stripped away, allowing the Jewish soul to shine with pride. In a time where Jewish teenagers face discrimination online and in school, CTeen sees such quality time as crucial for their wellbeing. 

The camp was directed by Rabbi Tzemmy and Sophie Bassman, directors of CTeen Hungary. “Having teens from all over brought a rich flavor to the camp. It brought together unlikely groups of people in powerful moments of song, prayer, and camaraderie. The unique blend of backgrounds allowed everyone to grow together with a newfound appreciation of Jewish pride in the face of our troubling history.” 

CTeen Balaton was a springboard for future Jewish involvement. Many of the teens committed to increasing their personal Jewish practice. Whether by laying tefillin daily, observing Shabbat more, or dedicating time to help others, the camp laid the foundations for taking an active role in the Jewish community, all with a spirit of friendship and camaraderie. 

“At CTeen, we’re committed to creating lasting connections beyond our trips. We encourage our counselors to maintain contact with campers, nurturing the sense of community that develops during these experiences,” explained Sarah Sherman, Director of CTeen Summer programming. “It was truly inspiring to see teenagers bonding, praying, and enjoying each other’s company, embodying the unity of Jewish youth. We aim to carry this spirit of Jewish unity forward in our future programs.”

Shluchim Staff

Rabbi Moshe & Dinie Rapoport, Mequon, WI 

Rabbi Chaim & Nina Shemtov, Bucks County, PA

Rabbi Avremi & Mushky Baron, Kansas, KS

Boys Staff

Avremi Rapoport

Avromel Hayman

Girls Staff
Raizel Wilhelm

Shaina Teitelbaum

Miriam Malka

Chaya Zarchi

Rochel Goldman

Photo Credits: Almássy Bettina