BBYO Launches “The Deli Project” in 12 Cities Across the U.S. in Celebration of 100 Years of Jewish Connection

Fun and creative inter-generational gatherings will bring together teen members and alumni of all eras for a common purpose.

Phoenix, AZ—In recognition of its historic Centennial year, BBYO is going back to one of the most iconic institutions of Jewish and American life—the Jewish deli. BBYO teen documentarians will be visiting Jewish delis across the country, interviewing alumni about their teen years, their Jewish upbringing, their thoughts on leadership and the power of community, and, of course, their favorite deli foods. The Deli Project is a unique cross-generational event that highlights the power of connections through time, addresses the gender gap in Jewish communal engagement, and delves into the realm of men’s mental and emotional health.

During these events, which will take place in 12 cities across the U.S., BBYO will be releasing a new card game inspired by the style of the show "Hot Ones" for teens to use while interviewing alumni and participants. There will also be other creative pieces at The Deli Project meetups, including custom placemats and Centennial-themed menus, that will serve as conversation starters. Each event will naturally also feature classic deli food, drinks, and desserts.

“We are thrilled to launch this Centennial initiative to connect teens and older BBYO alumni across the country for engaging conversation and community building over delicious deli food,” said Jayme David, Senior Vice President of Community Engagement at BBYO. “Looking back over the last century, it has always been delis that have served as a symbol for Jewish people’s desire to maintain a connection to their heritage through food. What better place to bring together generations of Jewish leaders?”

The first stop on The Deli Project tour is at Chompie’s Deli in Phoenix, Arizona, this month. The 11 remaining cities the tour will visit include: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Omaha, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and New York City.

Since BBYO’s founding in 1924, its mission and purpose remain unchanged—to unleash the power of youth. As the Movement progresses through its milestone centennial year, BBYO continues to be a place where Jewish teens form their fondest memories, develop leadership skills, establish lifelong friendships, advocate for causes they care about, and find meaning in their Jewish heritage. The Deli Project is yet another unique opportunity for Jewish individuals of different generations to come together, engage in conversation, and celebrate special moments and memories.

Throughout the coming year, supporters and friends can look forward to experiencing many other exciting programs and events together, including:

• Reunions around the world organized by alumni in honor of BBYO's 100th birthday
• Large-scale centennial celebratory events for alumni and supporters in ten select cities
• A once-in-a-lifetime centennial International Convention (IC) over Presidents Day weekend in Orlando, Florida, marking not only the largest gathering in the world for Jewish teens but welcoming the most prominent alumni and adult community to IC in its history
• The kickoff of BBYO’s Centennial Campaign, an opportunity for longtime supporters to make philanthropy-defining gifts that will lead BBYO into a new century of impact, with a goal of securing commitments of $200 million by June 2025

###

About BBYO
BBYO is the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences. Since its founding nearly 100 years ago, 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), have been providing exceptional leadership programs and identity enrichment experiences, shaping the confidence and character of hundreds of thousands of alumni who are among the most 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 that now approaches its Centennial anniversary. With year-round activities in hundreds of local communities, a plethora of 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, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

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