Marking Its Historic Centennial Anniversary, BBYO Hosts Over 3,700 Young Jewish Changemakers from 46 Countries for Record-Breaking International Convention

ORLANDO, FLORIDA | This week, over 3,700 teens from 46 countries and more than 1,500 adult guests and speakers will assemble at BBYO International Convention (IC) in Orlando, Florida, February 15–19, 2024, representing the largest annual gathering of Jewish teen leaders worldwide. This trailblazing event, celebrating BBYO’s Centennial milestone, will provide an impactful stage for teens to champion democracy, engage in crucial dialogues on combating antisemitism and hate, and fuel their enthusiasm for making a difference in their communities and the world around them.

This year’s IC theme, “Forever Young,” represents not only a celebration of the strength and spirit of the teen-led BBYO Movement, but also a powerful call to the global Jewish community to embrace youthfulness and envision the possibilities for the next century of Jewish life. Throughout the action-packed, five-day event, delegates will hear from and meet with inspiring speakers, strengthen their leadership skills, serve the local community, participate in powerful learning sessions, celebrate Shabbat, enjoy exclusive music performances, and do their part to strengthen the Jewish future.

Recognizing the escalating need for thoughtful and innovative leadership in confronting today’s challenges, BBYO is thrilled to welcome some of the brightest and most influential speakers to connect with teens at IC, including Anila Ali, President & CEO, American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council; Rabbi Sharon Brous, Founder, IKAR; Nikki Fried, Chair, Florida Democratic Party; Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO, Anti-Defamation League; Tiffany Haddish, stand-up comedienne and actress; Ryan Lavarnway, of Major League Baseball and Team Israel; Ross Lynch, singer, musician, and actor from Austin and Ally; Joshua Malina, film and stage actor; Meghan McMain, TV personality and columnist; Benj Pasek, writer, lyricist, and producer; Josh Peck, actor and writer, and Ben Soffer, of The Good Guys; Reggie Saunders, Vice President of Entertainment, Nike Jordan Division; Noah Shufutinsky AKA Westside Gravy, hip-hop artist; and Noa Tishby, Israeli actress, writer, producer and activist.

“BBYO is privileged to be one of the most powerful platforms in the Jewish community, hosting a gathering of this caliber for teens as they reflect on the need for vision and bold leadership while enjoying unparalleled access to global leaders and influencers,” shared Matt Grossman, CEO of BBYO. “Moreover, the theme of this year’s convention, ‘Forever Young,’ embodies the timeless essence of our Movement, resonating deeply as we commemorate BBYO’s Centennial milestone and envision the boundless possibilities for the future of young Jewish leadership across the world.”

IC 2024 will welcome more than 500 delegates from Europe, Asia, Latin America, Australia, and South Africa, with new chapters represented from Singapore, Beijing, El Salvador, Italy, and Iceland joining the IC experience for the first time. Groups of over 40 teen delegates each from Argentina, Germany, and Spain will also participate alongside thousands of teens from 40+ additional countries. Amid the tumult of war, nine teens from Ukraine, where their lives are continually upheaved by conflict, and a cohort of 48 teens from Israel, including members of Israel’s Druze community and a delegation from Kibbutz Magen, one of the kibbutzim attacked by Hamas on October 7, are attending IC this year as well.

For the first time in BBYO history, supporters, friends, and alumnispanning multiple generations will also converge at IC for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to honor this momentous occasion and reunite with friends in the spirit of BBYO’s Centennial celebration. BBYO will also officially launch the BBYO Alumni Association at IC, unveiling a groundbreaking platform for former members to reestablish connections, explore mentorship opportunities, expand their professional networks, and remain active participants in shaping the future of BBYO.

IC will also serve as a gathering place for the Jewish community’s leading philanthropists and professionals to collaborate on critical issues facing young people and youth-serving organizations. This year, BBYO alumni, supporters and educators will participate in discussions and programming centered around the future of Jewish learning, the transformative impact of a teen Israel experience, and the dynamics of Jewish life on college campuses. Events will include a community reception, insights into the future of BBYO and Jewish life across the world, dozens of Shabbat Oneg programs, over 20 teen-led Shabbat services, and nearly 50 Limmud learning sessions led by an exceptional cadre of Jewish educators.

Some unique IC highlights this year include:

• Access to one-of-a-kind learning and service experiences, including at Edible Education Experience, Chocolate Kingdom, Central Florida Zoo, Orlando Museum of Art, Hands on Orlando, The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida, Orlando Ballet Company and School, Limbitless Solutions/Lab, UCF Business Incubation Program, and Second Harvest Food Bank (nearly 40 Leadership Labs and service projects in all)
• An expanded AZAA and BBGG Sports and Wellness Expo with basketball, flag football, beach volleyball, soccer, and ultimate frisbee tournaments, as well as an exercise and wellness track
• An enriched Jewish Learning Lab, a wider series of teen-led sessions and TED Talks, and new networking events throughout the convention
• An elevated Saturday night social experience, BBYO Block Party, featuring trivia showdowns, DIY craft workshops, henna art, pickleball tournaments, inflatables, laser tag, LED glow games, exotic animals, and karaoke, among a multitude of experiences
• Exclusive musical performances by Flo Rida, Noa Kirel, and Two Friends
• An opportunity to rally around a local organization, Give Kids The World, to support critically ill youth in the Orlando area; IC delegates are encouraged to bring crayons, markers, sticker books, card games, sidewalk chalk, and bubbles to donate

For those unable to attend IC, BBYO will live stream select sessions on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube Live via BBYO’s Facebook page, Instagram, and YouTube channel. Schedules for streaming throughout the weekend are on BBYO’s International Convention event page.

WHAT: BBYO International Convention (IC) 2024 (complete overview of events available upon request)
WHO: Approximately 5,500+ attendees expected (including Global Ambassadors Week), including:

• Teen Participants: 3,700+ teens with representation from:
  • 480 North American and global chapters
  • 73 Regions/Communities
  • 50 North American states, districts, and provinces
  • 46 countries, including the United States and Canada
• Adult Participants: 1,500+ adults, including:
  • More than 300 featured speakers, guests, and popular music performers
  • Philanthropists, clergy, alumni, business, and thought leaders
  • Dozens of program educators and Jewish enrichment consultants
  • Brand, community, and program partners and sponsors
  • Professional BBYO staff
  • Hundreds of local volunteers, advisors, and parents
• Partners: 200 brand, program, and community partners, including:
  • Anti-Defamation League; American Jewish Committee; Authentic Israel; Crooked Monkey; Custom Ink; Gift of Life; Hillel International; Jewish Agency for Israel; Jewish National Fund; Jewish Youth Climate Movement; Jewish Youth Pledge; JStreet; Keshet; Maccabi USA; Maccabi World Union; Repair The World; RootOne; Stand With Us; TalkIsrael; TED Student Talks; The Jewish Agency for Israel; World Jewish Congress; Young Judaea Year Course.

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About BBYO
BBYO is the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences. Since its founding 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 is celebrating 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.

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.