First of all, we discussed what had been memorable to us about the earlier community gardens meeting at Sirály. Then, the two groups summarized among themselves where they stood with their respective

projects, after which the two groups informed each other, by writing everything down on a big sheet of paper: methods, sources, what knowledge to pass on and how it would all be documented. Finally, Kata informed us on our trip to Israel and we started looking for solutions for our last day (the 18th): what to do, where to go, because the flight of those not staying on is only on the 19th and there is no accommodation.

16.11.2011


Reflecting on the previous two meetings where were defining our present everyday experiences in order to be able to form a feeling permeating the whole society, this time we were looking at certain problems from the perspectives of people from different backgrounds: what feelings can arise in an intellectual living on the countryside or in the capital, how can a homeless or someone living in a Roma settlement feel about the same issue. By the end of the task, we all tried to define our feelings again. Some of us didn’t feel the problems to be so serious and unsolveable as they had seemed earlier. It is also interesting that many of us felt the problems of groups staying further from us financially and physically to be closer than those of people from backgrounds that are similar to ours. The question arose: what does it mean to be (socially) disadvantaged? Can we consider a small town intellecual disadvanteged since possibilities to break out and change are limited?

Marom – q6q7 festival

19.10.2011

In the first half of the meeting we were talking about the Jewish places in Budapest ( district No.7 and 13)  that Zsuzsi selected. We were discussing a lot why and how we can feel the Jewish athmosphere there. After this, we signed an agreement about our future work and goals and we talked through the issues of our mailing list and the organizational tasks. Three members of Marom (Schönberger Ádám, Dudás Dóri, Rónai Peti) came to visit us and they described the structure and the function of the  organization. They outlined what was planned for this year's „Negyed6Negyed7” festival and what kind of help they need from us. 

Based on the three ideas (district tour, opening flashmob, social activity) we broke up into two groups.One of the groups was brainstorming about the social activity, the other about the district tour. After half an hour the two groups presented their ideas. The social activity group would like to contrentrate on homeless people to help returning their dignity.For example, they would like to plan a clothes giveaway where homeless people have opportunity to select and try on clothes and swap or exchange them if they want to. 

The others idea is about a city tour where homeless peolpe are the tourguides and the visitors could come to know their special knowledge about the area. This year Channukah and Christmas overlap, therefore the other group would support the exposition and dialog of the two big religions in a series of gastronomical events.It would possible to cook traditional recipes at different families and share the extra amounts of food with homeless people.

Planning 2

12.10.2011

During this meeting we continued the process we had begun a session earlier: we had a look at pictures of Budapest and Jewishness by another two people.
This was followed by all of us writing down four "special talents", which can be of use to the group. We heard of anything from making coffee to professional skills in the strictest sense. We talked and got to know each other better along these lines.
During the second half of the meeting, we further discussed the four concepts we had drawn up a session earlier and voted in two rounds which of the two we would continue to work with. In two groups, we were given roughly half an hour to think through and prepare a possible track in relation to certain groups marginalised in society and healthy living. Each presented their "detailed dream plan" to the other group as a project. There was a negative element there, when both plans immediately looked to crumble at their introduction. We did remain enthusiastic, but we had to face the fact that no topic can be discussed in so little time, that every new question brings up new obstacles and that we probably have to start small and grow slowly both in the planning and in the realisation phase. We discussed the experiences of planning and possibilities for a more efficient planning session.
We closed off by signing our group contract.

Planning 1

28.10.2011 (Ros Hasana)

Ever since we have started to work together (which has so far mostly involved getting to know each other), this was our first truly active workshop. After lengthy planning and adjusting ourselves to the group, we could finally start the initial brainstorming and eventually get to realizing the Project.

The first half of the meeting was spent with discussing the social issues that could potentially form the basis of our project. Initially we were staring at a long list of seemingly unrelated ideas. However, it soon became apparent that they are not so difficult to connect into a single, organic entity. We have found that local history and personal memories can be brought together on an even ground with the social status of minorities and even with keeping a healthy diet.

The second half of the workshop was much more focused on actually realizing a specific project. We broke up into four groups based on the issues chosen (social passivity - increasing social gaps - leading a healthy life - status of minorities) and started discussing our thoughts in detail. At the end of our meeting, when all the groups have presented their ideas it became even clearer that; thought to varying extent; all these topics are related to one another. Whatever our Project may be in the end, so far it certainly looks as though we will be able to work together effectively and with copious amounts of enthusiasm to realize it.

Jewish identity+ Research and active citizenship

21.09. 2011

It was the first time we gathered together in a flat in Rakoczi street thanks to Lili's and her mother's help. It seems we found a permanent place for the group meetings. We went on with the topic of Jewish identity through our own photos and personal experiences related to them. In connection with the same topic two of us took on the task to show in a family-statue how Judaism appears in their own families. We represented the familiy members and the Judaism as well in different situtations, so it could be seen how the position of Judaism changed when the family left home or a stranger entered the home. Later we discussed how each of us felt in one's own role. 

had recieved the article of Appadurai (The right to reasarch) on the earlier occasion and read it at home. The essay refered to social responsibility by supposing that active citizenship can be achieved through researching the social enviroment and one's own place in it. First we discussed the text in smaller groups through different points of view then one person from the group reported on their opinion about the text. Finishing the evening in the regular way we realized that almost everyone had expected to get closer to the essence of our project and enter the planning phase. 

Team-building and Jewish identity

14.09.2011

Our first Budapest meeting took place at Moishe House, where those who were not at Bánk introduced themselves. The week before, we all had to make pictures of places in Budapest that signify Judaism to us. Some of us showed their pictures today and we spoke about them. In relation to the photographs, we discussed there are several public places in Budapest where Jewish symbols are hidden. It turned out that the seventh district is important to all of us and that in many families Judaism is not discussed, but still present somehow. We formulated the basic rules for our group, and spoke in broad lines about our plans for this year’s program. Finally, we discussed our expectations an worries in relation to the project. Several of us worried the project would focus more on theoratical learning, rather than on practical action. 

Bánkitó festival and team-building

3-4.08.2011


We started team-building a day before Bánkitó Festival, although not

all of us could make it. We were still very diverse, arriving from

highly different backgrounds. Through the various activities organised

by Gábor and Kata, we got to know each other better. 

We spoke of Jewish identity as well as social responsibility, and what it meant to

each of us. We could also catch a glimpse of our own group dynamics:

who took on which tasks easily or less so. Most of us indicated having

arrived open to ideas and each other, interested to see where things

would go. We could also address some of our concerns. 

The employee of the adventure park where we had our meetings offered some couleur

locale by running around with a bare chest showing off his Greater

Hungary tattoo (generally identified as a highly nationalistic, today

often used as a symbol by fascists). At night we got together for a

chat at one of the festival's locations. Some of us could volunteer at

the festival, others had to return to Budapest sooner.