BBYO Ignites the Year with Unprecedented Membership Surge and Dynamic Fall Programming

Worldwide—BBYO, the world's largest pluralistic Jewish teen movement, is embarking on a historic year marked by extraordinary growth in teen membership and engagement.
 
BBYO’s strong start to the year is reflected in the fact that enrollment of new members in the United States is up 19% compared to last year—an unmistakable sign of the increasing demand for innovative Jewish teen programming. In the month of November alone, approximately 2,900 of BBYO’s teen members will participate in weekend conventions in their local communities. In addition, registration for BBYO International Convention (IC) 2025, which takes place in February in Denver, Colorado, sold out in just under 15 minutes this fall, with more than 3,600 teens across the world expected to attend. This unprecedented engagement and demand highlight the Movement's expanding reach and the unparalleled value teens find in the innovative experiences BBYO offers. 
 
“The extraordinary growth in membership and engagement we've experienced this year underscores the lasting relevance BBYO provides to Jewish teens around the world,” said Matt Grossman, BBYO’s CEO. “Building on the momentum of our Centennial celebration, we continue to provide a safe and nurturing space for Jewish teens to express themselves. Our programs are now more meaningful and impactful than ever, empowering teens to connect with one another, their Jewish identity, and their communities.”
 
BBYO’s impact is being felt globally like never before as Jewish teens in grades 8 to 12 gather for events in their chapters and regions, building strong connections with one another and exploring their Jewish identities alongside peers. Highlights of this year’s impact includes:

• Regional Conventions: by the end of December, BBYO will have hosted over 130 conventions and special programs, including the second annual Asia Pacific regional convention in Tokyo, Japan, further amplifying the Movement's global impact.
• Service Projects: to commemorate BBYO's centennial anniversary, members across the world accomplished an extraordinary feat by completing 100,000 hours of service this year, including several impactful projects undertaken during J-Serve, the International Day of Jewish Teen Service.
• Global Shabbat Initiatives: this annual highlight, in which Jewish teen leaders host simultaneous Shabbat or Havdalah services and/or accompanying programs, will continue to showcase BBYO’s ability to bring together thousands of teens from diverse backgrounds in a truly uplifting celebration of the joy of Shabbat, creating a deep sense of belonging and solidarity across the world. 

Will Schecter and Abby Bluestein, BBYO’s teen Vice Presidents of Membership and Recruitment, shared, “As our Movement continues to thrive, our membership has skyrocketed and we’ve witnessed teen leaders make incredible contributions around the world with tangible impact. In Argentina, three new chapters were formed and they are now planning their first-ever regional convention. In Long Island, New York, a beautiful Havdalah program helped a wave of over 100 prospects become members. In the Pacific Northwest, innovative chapter programming led to teens meeting their end-of-year membership goal in just a few short months. The passion and commitment of our members around the world inspire us to grow and move forward, one program at a time.” 
 
Earlier this year, in a comprehensive survey conducted by BBYO of nearly 2,000 Jewish high school students in North America, 71 percent of respondents reported experiencing antisemitic harassment or discrimination since October 7th. At the same time, social interactions and engagement with BBYO played a critical role in helping teens navigate these challenges by providing comfort and support and serving as a safe place to express their feelings and concerns. Further reinforcing this message, BBYO’s 100^th Grand Aleph Godol (teen co-president), Dan Mezistrano, was a featured panelist on the topic of, “Supporting and Empowering Teens as They Confront Rising Antisemitism Today,” at the Jewish Federations’ General Assembly in Washington, DC this week. Dan spoke and answered questions about the evolving needs of Jewish teens, their experiences with antisemitism, and its impact on their mental health.
 
For more information on BBYO, upcoming events, or how to get involved, visit BBYO.org.
 

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About BBYO
BBYO is the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in meaningful Jewish experiences. For 100 years, BBYO’s purpose has been to unleash the power of youth. BBYO‘s leadership programs, the Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA, high school fraternity) and the B’nai B’rith Girls (BBG, high school sorority), provide exceptional leadership programs and identity enrichment experiences, shaping the confidence and character of hundreds of thousands of alumni who are prominent figures in business, politics, academia, the arts, and Jewish communal life. Together, AZA and BBG form a global Jewish teen movement in over 60 countries around the world. With year-round activities in hundreds of local communities, many summer leadership programs, and inspiring worldwide travel experiences, BBYO’s programs enable teens to explore all facets of leadership, service, civic engagement, Israeli education, and Jewish values. For more information on BBYO, please visit our website and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
 
Please note that BBYO should not be referred to as the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization but rather as “BBYO.”