IC 2012 Review via Social Media!

Posted on 02/29/2012 @ 11:14 PM

In February 2012, BBYO’s International Convention (IC) brought together nearly 900 Jewish teens from 13 countries to celebrate and strengthen AZA, BBG and the Jewish people.

Our talented teen leadership and professionals made full use of the various communication channels at their disposal. Our central media hub, the IC Blog, received 38,000+ page views. There were over 3,000 tweets using the #AZABBGIC2012 hashtag and our live broadcast on Jewish Life TV and Jewish Rock Radio had the potential to reach an audience of millions. Our thanks goes out to all of you who made this possible.

In the spirit of social media, we offer this International Convention recap:

On Twitter…@BBGSganit: So this is what 900 teens look like... Whoa. #azabbgic2012

Sean Frazer and Michaela Brown were recognized at IC by the JTA for having won the 2012 AZA and BBG Oratory Contest. Sean wrote, “…three years since that first AZA basketball game – my perception of myself and the world around me has changed dramatically… Today, Judaism is a pillar of my life – a context through which I interact with the world, deeply embedded in my soul.” Click here to read their essays.

During a Day of Service and Advocacy, teens volunteered at 18 sites throughout Atlanta. One track included the first all teen-audience premiere and Q & A with the director of The Bully Project, a new feature-length documentary that follows "a year in the life" of America's bullying crisis. Click here to learn more about The Bully Project track.

@JewishRockRadio: ‏ So inspiring seeing all these teens embark on a #dayofservice at #azabbgic2012

@JamieRothstein: I pledge a commitment to community service and advocacy #ifnotnowwhen #azabbgic2012

On Shabbat, IC programming offered over 25 learning sessions and multiple teen-led services, so teens could customize their Shabbat experience. Click here to learn more about Shabbat at IC.

@LoganSMiller: Shabbat shalom from #azabbgic2012 pic.twitter.com/meEt9UeZ

@caramaniloff7: Just experienced the largest Havdallah service ever! #azabbgic2012

Guest speakers included Avraham Infeld, renowned Jewish scholar and President Emeritus of Hillel, the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life; Bernice King, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s daughter; Georgia Congressman John Lewis, and Ted Perlman, philanthropist and son of BBG founder Anita Perlman. Click here to watch Congressman John Lewis’ speech.

@GrandAlephGodol: "We're not only a people of memory, but also of PURPOSE. If you're Jewish, you make Tikkun Olam central to your life" #AZABBGIC2012

A spirited and inspired States Speech was given by Grand Aleph Godol, Oz Fishman, and International N’siah, Samantha Levinson, which outlined their goals for the remainder of their terms and illustrated their vision for how AZA and BBG teens will not only lift the Jewish community but change the world. Click here to watch the States Speech.

@Cindalin: Watching International States of BBYO online. This is amazing! #azabbgic2012 #togetherasone

@Alyssa_Mishhh: @GrandAlephGodol and @BBGNsiah you guys are an inspiration to so many! GREAT speech :) #azabbgic2012 #wishiwasthere

The convention body elected the ten teens who will serve on the 2012-2013 AZA & BBG International Boards and will lead the teen movement over the next programming year. Click here for election results.

@ModernJewishMom: inspired by tweeted excerpts of I Board candidates' speeches. Future of Judaism is in excellent hands #azabbgic2012

@SydneyGass: Watching the international board of the B'nai B'rith Girls being elected was an experience of a life time. #azabbgic2012

@BBYOInsider: The AZA brothers have completed elections for the 88th Grand board. Board members from the UK, Canada, the USA. #BBYOGlobal #azabbgic2012

BBYO’s Board of Directors, Friends and Alumni Network leaders and volunteer advisors joined the fun by participating in a series of workshops, honoring the Alumni of the Year and Advisor of the Year, and reconnecting at the FAN Southern Regions/Districts Alumni Reunion. Click here to read more on the blog.

After five days of convention, our teens left Atlanta empowered to lift up the Jewish community and change the world. The 2012 IC experience was not to be missed, so I encourage you to save the date now for the AZA BBG IC 2013 in Washington, DC on Presidents’ Day Weekend, February 14 – 18, 2013.

@sierralash: "well this weekend i went to a convention to ensure the future of the Jewish people, how bout you?" #azabbgic2012

@AndieDjamal: one of the best weekends of my life. thank you bbyo once again #azabbgic2012

L'hitraot - See You Next Year in DC!

Posted on 02/19/2012 @ 11:14 PM

We hope everyone had a great time at IC 2012! Whether you attended in person, shared in the discussions on Twitter, or watched plenaries live on JLTV, we hope you felt how strong the BBYO movement is at this time in our history.

We can't wait for you to join us next year as IC 2013 travels to Washington, DC!

Can't wait until next year? Register for a BBYO Summer Experience! Early Bird registration ends February 29 (thank leap year for giving you an extra day of the discount)!

Click below to read the 2012 BBYO Summer Experiences brochure:

Global Teens Speak about IC

Posted on 02/19/2012 @ 09:14 PM

By now, we hope everyone knows that BBYO's IC has brought together Jewish teens from 13 countries around the world! Take a few minutes and hear directly from the participants from Serbia, Bosnia, Bulgaria, the UK and more on their IC experience and how BBYO has changed their lives:

Taking Home IC: Shuk!

Posted on 02/19/2012 @ 08:14 PM

by Alli Ginsburg

Like any vacation, one of the most exciting parts of any International Convention is the souvenirs – the various regional items you can buy at the Shuk (marketplace)! Each year, every region is given the opportunity to bring their own items to sell to the IC Body, and teens take turns selling or browsing the room. It’s one of the few times this weekend I’ve seen all 900 people focused on the same thing – getting the best stuff for as little as possible.

This year, non-clothing items were particularly trendy. I saw everything from iPhone cases to chapter-recorded CDs, bumper stickers, and necklaces. As always, hoodies and sweatpants ranged among the most expensive – and also most popular. Chapters and regions had merchandise up, as well as a few items from the overall international order. Everyone here loves Shuk – we like to show the world our passion for BBYO, and show off to our home regions what they missed out on at IC. There’s nothing better than walking into a chapter meeting in Missouri in some Big Apple Region sweatpants, and being overwhelmed by, “that’s so cool!” and “whoah, where can I get those?!”

Traditionally, most seniors don’t buy as many things, knowing their BBYO career will soon be at an end, but I’m pretty sure many of us folded, this year. I’m coming home with a tie-dye AZA shirt, ‘Now That’s What I Call Melech!’ CD, and folding chair. What can I say – BBYO-ers are great salespeople.

Passport Photo Booth

Posted on 02/19/2012 @ 08:14 PM

Ready to travel the world with BBYO Passport?

At IC, we let teens take a journey -- with the BBYO Passport photo booth! Check out the pictures here:

JTA Article: BBYO Goes Retro

Posted on 02/19/2012 @ 07:14 PM

Read the article to find out what Sam and Oz said in their email to get the JTA to attend BBYO's IC:

BBYO Goes Retro (published February 19, 2012)

AZA and BBG Elections Today

Posted on 02/19/2012 @ 09:14 AM

Elections for the 88th Grand Board and 68th International Board are today! Listen to Jewish Rock Radio all day to find out the winners first! Election winners will also be posted on the blog throughout the day. Good luck to all of the impressive candidates!

Click here to visit the elections page to see the winners!

BBYO Awards Inspiring Role Models

Posted on 02/19/2012 @ 08:14 AM

A special congratulations goes out to several inspiring adults who earned recognition at IC this year. This group continues to inspire AZA and BBG teens from around the world! Please leave your own congratulations in the comments!

Trudy Album, Stand UP Award Recipient

Rhonda Feiler, Advisor of the Year

Judith Finer Freedman, BBG Alumna of the Year

AJ Robinson, AZA Alumnus of the Year

State of the Order Address Live Recording

Posted on 02/18/2012 @ 11:30 PM

Samantha Levinson and Oz Fishman, BBYO's International Teen Presidents, did an amazing job delivering a speech about ensuring the Jewish future through BBYO. They emphasized the importance of BBYO in its work towards strengthening the Jewish people -- everyone who calls themselves an Aleph or BBG is doing important work for our community.

The State of the Order Address was preceded by speeches by their family members and BBYO staff. Be sure to watch the recording that was aired live on Jewish Life TV!

Most retweeted statements of the evening:

BBYOInsider: "We have entered the age of 'yes and' not 'that's not what we do here'" #azabbgic2012

BBYOInsider: BBYO makes being a Jewish teen cool #azabbgic2012

BBYOInsider: First time ever our @GrandAlephGodol and @BBGNsiah give their speech together #azabbgic2012

BBYOInsider: Our @GrandAlephGodol and @BBGNsiah tell the history of the Jewish People; we carry the stories of our ancestors as our own. #azabbgic2012

BBYOInsider: BBYO is #togetherasoneforever and #unitedasonecrew

BBYOInsider: Tonight the Jewish people turn to us #azabbgic2012

BBYOInsider: Being a leader in BBYO inherently makes you a leader of the Jewish people. #statesIC2012 #azabbgic2012 @bbgnsiah @grandalephgodol

Click below to see pictures from the evening:

Global Inductions Ceremony

Posted on 02/18/2012 @ 10:30 PM

BBYO's global delegates from 13 countries were officially welcomed as members of BBYO in the first-ever Global Inductions Ceremony at IC 2012. The teens received AZA and BBG membership manuals and pins to help welcome them as officials Alephs and Sister BBGs!

JTA Publishes BBYO Oratory Contest Winners

Posted on 02/18/2012 @ 08:30 PM

Congratulations to Sean Frazier of Eastern Region - Virginia Council and Michaela Brown of Northern Region East - Northern Virginia Council for winning the AZA and BBG Oratory contests! Sean and Michaela had their articles published online by the JTA, the most comprehensive Jewish news source in the world!

BBYO's annual Oratory contest provides the teen leaders of AZA and BBG, BBYO's global cadre of members, an opportunity to reflect on some of the most important issues facing the Jewish community today. This year's prompts include: 1) What makes Judaism unique and why is it important to me? and 2) Am I a Jewish American or American Jew? Jewish Canadian or Canadian Jew? Whenever you live, does your Judaism come before your nationality? The winning essays were voted on by AZA and BBG teen leaders from across the world and the winners were announced during IC!

Click here to read Michaela's winning essay: The Jewish Struggle

Click here to read Sean's winning essay: A Proud Jew

Shabbat at IC Recap

Posted on 02/18/2012 @ 07:30 PM

by Jessica Baar, Central Region East

Hello all! And welcome to the BIGGEST International BBYO Shabbat in history! That’s right, with over 1,100 staff and teens all congregated here in Atlanta, that makes this the largest Shabbat gathering BBYO has ever had!!! We kicked off Friday night Shabbat by giving the teens four different service options. Choices included BBG and AZA separate services and one lead with guitars by BBYO’s song bringers Zach Singer and Eric Hunker. Following services we had a rockin’ music session with the song bringers. Everyone had a lot of fun singing their favorite camp and Jewish rock songs at the top of their lungs.

The next morning we all gathered for Saturday morning services. The BBG service was my selection and I'm so happy I was able to attend. It was all about women empowerment, and the service leaders performed skits from the cartoon version of The Prince of Egypt tying in scenes from the movie into the theme. Other options were another AZA service, and a co-ed learners service that taught about the prayers for those who don’t know them that well or just wanted to learn more about them. Next we heard from Avraham Infeld, a renowned Jewish educator, on why it is important to be Jewish. He brought up several stories about how it is OK to question Judaism and develop your own identity, but ultimately we are all part of the same family.

After services and the plenary, we listened to our overseas delegates talk about what their life is like back in their home countries. It was an amazing privilege to listen to Beni from Turkey talk about BBYO and Jewish hardships he faces in his mainly Islamic Country. It made me realize just how lucky we North Americans are to be allowed to freely and openly celebrate our religion.

Following our Global BBYO talks, the teens got to pick and go to their Shabbat Electives. There were so many great options and I had trouble selecting the two I would attend. After much debate, I decided on "(IC)apella" focused on Shabbat songs, lead by Eric Hunker. My group got to learn the song “Salaam” in the 4 vocal group parts, Soprano, Bass, etc. After just 15 minutes we sounded like pros that’ve been practicing for weeks. We can’t wait to perform it for all of IC later! My second rotation I went to the Alumni Panel. There we got to ask a small group of BBYO Alumni any questions we wanted. Some questions that came up were about the panel’s BBYO experience when they were in it, advice and opinions about how to better any issues we have back home, and the panel even talked to us about what it’s like to be a teen leader and all the important skills and lessons BBYO gives us whether we’re aware of it or not.

This has been one of the most memorable Shabbats I have ever experienced. I am so lucky that I got to be part of BBYO’s largest Shabbat, and experience all the great services and programs. Shabbat Shalom everyone! Thank you for reading.

Shabbat Shalom from IC

Posted on 02/17/2012 @ 06:30 PM

We're signing off the blog for Shabbat and wanted to leave you with this message that oulines a bit of what Shabbat is like at IC:

Have a wonderful and restful Shabbat!

Grand and International Boards Elections Info

Posted on 02/17/2012 @ 03:49 PM

We've posted Vision Statements for all of the 88th Grand and 68th International Boards! Check out all of the latest information by clicking here to check out the Elections Page!

Day of Service and Advocacy Closing; Shabbat Atmosphere; Alumni Honors

Posted on 02/17/2012 @ 11:55 AM

Congratulations to AZA Alumnus of the Year, AJ Robinson, BBG Alumna of the Year Judith Finer Freedman, and BBYO Advisor of the Year, Rhonda Feiler! Plus, watch for a special address from Congressman John Lewis!

Click below to see some pictures from the Day of Service and Advocacy:

Bully Project Movie Premieres to First All-Teen Audience

Posted on 02/17/2012 @ 11:53 AM

BBYO premiered an all-teen audience screening of The Bully Project, a feature-length documentary that depicts “a year in the life” of America’s bullying crisis. The session included Q & A with the film’s director and David and Tina Long, the parents of Tyler Long, who committed suicide after being bullied. After Q&A there was an anti-bullying training and discussion of the relations to Jewish values facilitated by Facing History.

Watch the trailer of the Bully Project below:

Hear directly from the director of the Bully Project with a message for BBYO here:

David Long speaks about how teens can make a difference in bullying and why they should:

60 Things You Can Do in Israel in 60 Seconds

Posted on 02/17/2012 @ 11:49 AM

Don't miss the latest BBYO Passport video with 60 things you can do in 60 seconds:

Day of Service and Advocacy Opening Plenary

Posted on 02/17/2012 @ 10:55 AM

The Day of Service and Advocacy Plenary kicked off this morning and you can watch the live recording below:

Stay tuned throughout the day for updates from the 18 different service sites that the teens will be attending!

Highlights from today's opening plenary include:

• Hollywood film Director Lee Hirsch discussed the importance of ending bullying and showed the trailer for the upcoming documentary, The Bully Project, which is premiering today to the first all-teen audience at IC.
• Surprise presentation of Stand UP Award to Trudy Album, a Holocaust survivor and long time staff member of BBYO's March of the Living delegation.
• Introduction on how making impact on policy goes beyond petitions and protests with AIPAC's Director of Leadership Development, Jonathan Kessler

Missed Opening Ceremonies Live on JLTV?

Posted on 02/16/2012 @ 04:48 PM

Watch the recording below:

Or enjoy some photos of the evening:

Don't miss the following highlights:

• Step routine with GA step team with surprise staff performance
• Speeches by BBYO's Executive Director, Matthew Grossman, and Chair of BBYO's Board of Directors, Estee Portnoy
• Roll call of every region in attendance
• Address by Ted Perlman, son of BBG Founder Anita Perlman
• Introduction of BBYO's global delegates from 13 countries
• GA Gospel Choir performance with IC's Songleaders

You can view JLTV on Channel 366 on DirectTV or check here for local listings.

Also, tune in at the following times (All times are Eastern Standard Time):

1. Friday, February 17, 9:15 am: Day of Service and Advocacy Kick-Off Plenary
2. Friday, February 17, 4:00 pm: Day of Service and Advocacy Wrap-Up including presentations to the AZA and BBG Alumni of the Year and the Advisor of the Year Awards
3. Saturday, February 18, 8:30 pm: The State of the Order Address by International Teen Presidents Oz Fishman and Samantha Levinson

Feb Execs Concludes

Posted on 02/16/2012 @ 01:48 PM

by Grant Hansell, Kentucky Indiana Ohio

Wow! The second day of BBYO’s February Executive Conference was action packed and filled with an amazing energy, dedication, and sense of purpose from each and every one of BBYO’s 150+ delegates.

The day began with a nice morning minyan with a surprise guest appearance from Moses himself (although some believed it was Jacob Sorrels) reminding the Execs body to take the lessons and experiences from Execs home and keep the energy going even after February has long gone. Teens were pushed to think of ways that they could keep this passion alive in their regional delegations.

After a lovely French Toast breakfast the teens moved directly into a session of action packed business. At business meetings, three pieces of amazing momentum building legislation were passed! It began with the ratification of the new AZA and BBG Constitutions! Then the teens unanimously passed a motion to renew the extremely successful priorities from last year’s executive conference. Finally, the execs passed a series of suggestions that standardize our movement around the world. These suggestions are an incredible tool for regions that have not yet developed traditions or rituals of their own to begin creating their own legacy. The amendments and thought provoking questions that came from the Execs body truly showed the passion and drive of the members of our order!

At lunch, the teens had the opportunity to split into groups by table and discuss the aspects of BBYO, AZA, and BBG that they are the most passionate about. Topics ranged from BBYO Connect, to Convention Excellence, to Programming with Globalization and many more. Splitting into these smaller groups gave the teens an opportunity to connect and discuss on a more personal basis and develop region specific plans. After lunch the teens had the opportunity to end their executive conference by participating in a riveting speech by AIPAC’s Director of Leadership Development Jonathan Kessler. He empowered the teens to act smart, act fast, and most importantly act now. He addressed some popular concerns with maintaining a connection to the land of Israel and inspired the teens to go home and commit to Israel.

Overall, February Executive Conference 2012 was a huge success! The rest of the IC body is arriving as this is typed and we cannot wait to document it all for you right here!