First-of-its-Kind Jewish Roommate Finder App Launches in Apple App and Google Play Stores

 DALLAS, TX — A game-changing app geared toward helping Jewish college students find roommates is launching at BBYO International Convention (IC) 2017 over President’s Day weekend in Dallas. IC is expected to draw more than 5,000 Jewish teen leaders, educators, professionals and philanthropists from 48 states and 30 countries, and will feature top figures from the worlds of politics, activism, entertainment and business.

 Available for both iOS and Android devices, Joomie matches Jewish high school seniors or current college students who are set to attend the same college or university. First formulated in a hack-a-thon sponsored by Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation’s ROI Community, teens from Tel Aviv to Silicon Valley brainstormed ways to use technology to connect with BBYO or camp friends as they transition to college,

 “One of the most exciting aspects of Joomie is that it was thought up by teens as they sought ways to make it easier for students who are leaving their familiar Jewish communities behind to build new ones on campus.” said Matt Grossman, Chief Executive Officer, BBYO. “We believe that usage of Joomie will help facilitate the transition to college for many students, and ultimately promote a greater engagement in Jewish life in campuses across North America.”

 Students who download the free Joomie app will login with their Facebook account, select their college and year of graduation, and answer a series of questions in order to match them with people who have similar interests, hobbies, and values. Questions range from their Jewish youth group affiliations and whether they’re Sabbath observant and keep kosher, to what kind of music they like, types of campus activity interests they have, and whether they’re early birds or night owls, and messy or neat freaks.

 Students then will be able to see profiles of others who have downloaded the app, are planning to attend the same college or university, and are good potential roommate matches based on other profile characteristics.

 “Having a simple app that connects me with new Jewish friends or former camp bunkmates attending the same university as me is amazing, “said Ellie Bodker, BBYO BBG Teen President. “Making the transition to college is a big deal, but my excitement is growing as I see more and more ways to connect to other Jewish students on campus, starting with dorm life.”

 About BBYO

 BBYO is the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences. For more than 90 years, BBYO‘s leadership programs the Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA, high school fraternity) and the B’nai B’rith Girls (BBG, high school sorority) have been providing exceptional leadership programs and identity enrichment experiences, shaping the confidence and character of more than 400,000 alumni who are among the most prominent figures in business, politics, academia, the arts and Jewish communal life. Now, BBYO’s network of Jewish teens, alumni, parents, volunteers and philanthropists serves as the Jewish community’s most valuable platform for delivering to the post Bar/Bat Mitzvah audience fun, meaningful and affordable experiences. With year-round activities in hundreds of local communities and inspiring world-wide travel experiences, BBYO’s broad program menu enables teens to explore areas of leadership, service, civic engagement, Israel education and Jewish values.

 Please note that BBYO should not be referred to as the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, but rather as “BBYO.”

 For more information on BBYO, please visit bbyo.org and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.