OVER 16,000 JEWISH TEENS GATHERED FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR AN INSPIRING AND MEMORABLE ’GLOBAL SHABBAT’ WEEKEND

December 8 & 9, Worldwide — This weekend, Jewish teens from 30 countries took part in 136 unique Shabbat experiences as part of BBYO’s Global Shabbat initiative. This historic teen-led Movement-wide initiative has been anchored in BBYO culture since it first launched in 1928 and continues to be a unique event where teens connect with each other over the shared experience and joy of celebrating Shabbat together across the world.

This year, Global Shabbat was dually themed “Forever Young,” in celebration of BBYO’s milestone Centennial year, and “Responding to the Moment,” in response to the tragic attacks in Israel and the rise of antisemitism globally. Jewish teen leaders united for moments of rich Jewish tradition as they hosted simultaneous Friday night, Saturday morning, and Havdalah services and/or additional programming featuring song leaders, speakers, and inclusive community dinners and leaned into educational moments surrounding the war in Israel and antisemitism awareness.

Maccabi Tzair, BBYO’s sister movement in Israel, orchestrated 21 powerful programs that engaged 4,000 teens and community members. At K’far Hamaccabiah, teens welcomed 800 evacuated families from the south of Israel impacted by the war to join a Kabbalat Shabbat service. In Rishon LeZion, teens made flower bouquets for fallen soldiers' graves, and in Modi’in and Be’er Sheva, teens baked goods for IDF soldiers on active duty.

“In the face of recent events in Israel and with the global rise in antisemitism, Global Shabbat is a weekend where Jewish teens can proudly celebrate their Jewish identity and feel the strength and power of teen leadership and community around the world,” said Judah Moskovitz, BBYO’s International Shaliach (vice president of Jewish Enrichment). “It is inspiring to see thousands of teens from our Movement gather for powerful and meaningful Shabbat moments. The global Jewish community needs this connectivity more than ever,” added Mercedes Benzequen, BBYO’s International Sh’licha.

Some of the diverse and memorable Global Shabbat program highlights throughout the weekend included:

• For the first time, Global Shabbat programming occurred in Reno, Nevada, Tahoe, California, Boise, Idaho, and El Salvador as part of BBYO’s small-town initiative to mobilize Jews anywhere and everywhere.
• JDC’s Active Jewish Teens in Kazakhstan held an event called Shine on Shabbat to welcome Hanukkah and Shabbat together.
• North Texas Oklahoma region brought the Dallas Jewish community together for a supply drive for people in need in Israel.
• Teens in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia, gathered in solidarity with Israel by bringing the community together to celebrate traditional Shabbat rituals aiming to bring peace and togetherness.
• Mid-America Region: St. Louis programmed a ‘Festival of Lights - Hanukkah Havdalah,’ which included a dreidel tournament, latke making, gelt checkers, and a partnership with the JCC Shaliach, who is an IDF soldier, to host a fundraiser for Israel.
• BBYO South Africa in Johannesburg and Cape Town hosted a communal candle-lighting experience, followed by a dinner with speakers educating participants about the ongoing conflict.
• Teens from K’far Azza in Israel joined forces with teens from Germany – ZWST to celebrate Shabbat together. This marked the first Germany-wide convention and program that teens fully led and planned.
• Teens in Manhattan and Big Apple regions in New York crafted multifaceted experiences rooted in inclusivity and spirituality, which included a Drama Therapy Bibliodrama, a Yoga Shabbat service, a healing Puppy Shabbat service with therapy dogs, and a traditional Shomer Shabbat Meditation service.

“It is so important for Jewish teens all around the world to convene and show strength in numbers, to feel empowered by a commitment to Judaism, and be inspired to make a difference in their communities,”said Liron Lipinsky, Vice President of Enrichment Strategy at BBYO. “This year’s Centennial Global Shabbat offered an inspiring glimpse into the future of our Jewish peoplehood, and I am proud of the tremendous efforts of our BBYO teens.”

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 in 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.”