Hundreds of Holocaust Survivors to Celebrate Shabbat with Jewish Teens Worldwide

Hundreds of Holocaust Survivors to Celebrate Shabbat with Jewish Teens Worldwide
November 6-7: Events in 500+ Communities Across 15 Countries

More than 500 communities worldwide will come together for BBYO’s Global Shabbat, themed A Shabbat to Remember, this November 6-7, just days before the 77th anniversary of Kristallnacht. Teens around the world will gather with Holocaust survivors to hear their stories of struggle and perseverance, embracing the great responsibility of passing down these personal accounts. This global event brings together communities across 15 countries: Argentina, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Israel, Latvia, Macedonia, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Turkey, Uruguay and the Unites States.

Throughout the Global Shabbat experience, the survivors will have the opportunity to be inducted into BBYO as honorary members of the Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) and B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG), BBYO's high school leadership fraternity and sorority, symbolically giving them the opportunity to relive their childhood stolen by the Nazis.

“With A Shabbat to Remember, we aim to create celebratory and open spaces so that survivors can share their stories. As the last generation to have the opportunity to hear from these survivors firsthand, it is up to us to make the most of this gift so that we will never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust or the lessons of strength and perseverance of the Jewish people,” said a statement from Colin Silverman, 91st Grand Aleph Godol (International President) of AZA; and Lauren Keats, 71st International N'siah (International President) of BBG.

A Shabbat to Remember was first introduced in July at BBYO's International Kallah where eight Holocaust survivors joined an international community of hundreds of teens in learning, singing and dancing. Throughout the weekend, the teens had the opportunity to hear the survivors’ stories and commit to share them with future generations. At the end of the weekend, the survivors were also inducted as honorary members of AZA and BBG. The Global Shabbat celebrations around the world in November are a continuation of this meaningful experience.

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.”

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