Dear Parents,

One of the most special moments when I meet new parents is hearing their stories about BBYO—often, how it played a meaningful role in their own lives and how they’re now sharing that connection with their children. There’s something truly powerful about the way BBYO fosters lifelong friendships and strengthens Jewish identity across generations.

Coming from the Midwest, where so many communities have deep BBYO roots, I’ve seen firsthand how these multi-generational connections are woven into the fabric of families. It’s certainly true in my own family—growing up, BBYO events often felt like family reunions.

I find this especially meaningful as we enter the spring season in BBYO. Springtime brings a unique energy—a time of reflection, celebration, and transition. Across our regions, Spring Conventions mark the culmination of the year’s experiences, bringing together teens for powerful moments of connection and pride.

Chapters celebrate Passover through cherished traditions that blend fun and spirituality—from chocolate Seders to afikomen hunts. Meanwhile, our seniors begin their season of reflection, looking back on the friendships they’ve built and the impact they’ve had on their BBYO communities. It’s a moment of looking back and ahead—a reminder of how this Movement continues to grow from one generation to the next.

As we welcome this season of tradition and connection, I encourage you to invite a teen in your life—maybe a relative, your child’s classmate, or a neighbor—to join us at an upcoming BBYO event. Whether you're continuing a family legacy or starting a new one, you’re helping build something special. Wishing you all a happy and meaningful Passover!

Warmly,
Debi Tozer Lin
Associate Vice President, Community Impact

J-Serve 2025 | This year’s J-Serve, the annual day of Jewish youth service, was an incredible opportunity for teens around the world to come together and make a real impact in their local communities. Teens dove into hands-on service projects, addressing urgent issues like homelessness, food insecurity, and mental health. Alongside a strong focus on Israel-centered initiatives, each community supported causes most important to them, reinforcing that service is at the heart of our Movement.

Founders’ Fest | Honoring the founding of our Movement is one way Alephs and BBGs continue BBYO’s legacy. In 1923, a group of Jewish boys in Omaha, Nebraska, founded AZA, officially established on May 3, 1924, under Sam Beber’s leadership. Twenty years later, Anita M. Perlman helped establish BBG as an international Order on April 22, 1944. Throughout April and May, teens across the globe will host Founders’ Fest events, celebrating our inspiring history and building excitement for the future of AZA and BBG. Read more about Founders’ Fest or check out the BBYO Archives to learn about our Movement’s rich history.

Spring Conventions | Spring is here, and that means Spring Conventions are underway across the Order! Regions are coming together for action-packed weekends filled with unforgettable traditions, from electing new regional boards to celebrating our amazing seniors. If your teen can’t get enough of the convention energy, they can continue the excitement with a BBYO Summer Experience!

This spring BBYO teens around the world will come together to mark Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom HaAtzmaut with meaningful programs and events. These three days provide an opportunity for teens to reflect on the Jewish people's resilience, remember the sacrifices of those who came before, and celebrate the achievements of the modern State of Israel.
 
In preparation for these holidays, we’ve worked with our International Sh’lichim (Teen Vice Presidents of Jewish Enrichment) to create a one-pager packed with program resources that help chapters engage with the significance of each day. The resources are designed to be flexible, interactive, and accessible, ensuring that any chapter—regardless of size or location—can create a meaningful experience for its members. These materials include a range of enriching activities, such as "Recipe with Memory," where teens can connect with the past through food, and "Zikaron BaSalon," a program that allows participants to hear firsthand accounts from Holocaust survivors in intimate settings. Teens are also invited to explore a variety of additional resources, such as themed cards that invite reflection, lists that highlight films related to the themes of memory and resilience, music playlists that incorporate powerful songs and dances, and directions for a powerful Havdalah ceremony for Israel.
 
In addition to finding out what’s being offered in your local area, teens are encouraged to be a part of hosting these activities with an automatic Israel Game Changer Grant of up to $10 per participant. This grant provides teens with the financial support to help bring their chosen activities to life, whether it’s organizing a gathering to watch a meaningful film or purchasing supplies for a special ceremony.
 
The global BBYO community is excited to unite during this time, as teens across the world join together in honoring the past, commemorating the sacrifices of those who came before, and celebrating the independence of the State of Israel. Through these thoughtfully designed programs, BBYO teens are creating an enduring connection to Jewish history and the future of Israel.

Drew Fidler, LCSW-C, is the Senior Director of the BBYO Center for Adolescent Wellness, where she helps ensure that BBYO and other youth-serving organizations are places where teens can thrive through best practices in health and wellness. Email your burning questions to Drew and she’ll select questions to answer in future Parent Pulse issues.

Dear Drew: How can I help my teen manage the stress of final exams and the pressure of school in a healthy way? —Stuart L.

Dear Stuart: As we head into the final stretch of the school year, it is not uncommon for teens to feel the weight of academic expectations—whether it’s AP exams, finals, or the pressure to perform. This can be overwhelming for both teens and parents.

Stress, in small amounts, is beneficial for long-term well-being; it can increase alertness, focus, and performance. Additionally, overcoming challenges builds resilience and confidence in handling future difficulties.

It is important that as adults we don’t pathologize stress or nervousness and instead, acknowledge our teens’ feelings and give them space to process and succeed. Here are a few tools to help manage stress in a healthy way:

• Help teens create healthy study habits. Foster a calm, supportive environment at home, and minimize distractions.

• Offer teens support without adding pressure. Remind them their worth isn’t defined by grades alone.

• Encourage opportunities to recharge, take study breaks, and practice mindfulness techniques like deep breathing or journaling.

• Hold space for teens’ emotional struggles without judgment.

For many adolescents, stress is a positive reminder to take things seriously. But if it becomes overwhelming and impacts daily functioning—like avoiding school or social activities—it may signal a larger mental health issue, and additional help could be needed.

From the moment we began our journey as BBYO’s Teen International Presidents, we have had the privilege of traveling across the globe, visiting Jewish communities in every corner of the world. From the vibrant streets of Tel Aviv to the historic synagogues of Europe, the bustling cultural hubs of North America to growing communities in South Africa, we have seen firsthand the incredible diversity of the Jewish people. Each community we have visited has its own traditions, stories, and challenges; yet, they all share a deep commitment to Jewish life, a passion for building a strong future, and an unbreakable sense of unity. Whether in small communities like Boise, Idaho, in the U.S. or major cities like Berlin in Germany, Jewish teens are finding innovative ways to celebrate our history, advocate for what they believe in, and strengthen bonds across the diaspora.

One of the most powerful moments of our year was seeing everything come full circle at BBYO International Convention (IC) 2025. After months of traveling and meeting Jewish teens in their home communities, it was truly amazing to watch them all come together—3,500 teens from 50+ countries, united in one space, celebrating our shared values and vision for the future. IC was a testament to the strength of our Movement and the dedication of BBYO’s teen leaders, who built an unforgettable experience filled with inspiring speakers, meaningful Shabbat moments, high-energy programming, and countless opportunities to connect across cultures. Seeing friendships rekindled, ideas exchanged, and new leaders empowered reminded us why BBYO is so special. This wasn’t just a convention—it was a global Movement in action, proving once again that when Jewish teens lead, they create something truly extraordinary.

Throughout our travels, we have been continuously inspired by feats of extraordinary teen leadership from BBYO members around the globe. We have witnessed teens organizing conventions in their own communities, leading incredible Stand UP service projects, and fostering pluralistic spaces where every Jewish teen feels at home. From launching initiatives that address small Jewish communities, healthy masculinity, and antisemitism to creating opportunities for leadership development and global connection, BBYO teens are proving that young leaders have the power to shape the future. No matter where we go, we leave energized by the passion, resilience, and dedication of our peers; they remind us that the Jewish future is not only bright—it is already in great hands.

Dan Mezistrano & Joelle Abaew
100^th Grand Aleph Godol | 80^th Anita M. Perlman International N'siah

Stay connected with BBYO on Instagram | Want to stay in the loop on all things BBYO? Follow our official social media accounts on Instagram to keep up with exciting programs, leadership opportunities, alumni stories, travel experiences, and more!

• @BBYOalumni – Stay connected with our alumni network and see how BBYO continues beyond high school.

• @BBYOceo – Get insights from our CEO, Matt Grossman, as he shares updates and key moments from across the Movement.
• @BBYOinsider – Your go-to for the latest BBYO news, events, and teen-led content.

• @BBYOpassport – Explore our global travel adventures and immersive summer experiences.


Make sure to follow along and be part of our journey!