Dear Parents,

As we wrap up an incredible calendar year, there is so much to reflect on and celebrate in BBYO around the world. Our communities in Europe arrived home two weeks ago from Warsaw, Poland, where we hosted our second-annual European Leadership Training Institute. We welcomed over 170 teens from 40 chapters across 24 countries, alongside 70 BBYO professionals and stakeholders from partner organizations. Teens spent the weekend focusing on the development of individual leadership skills, the strengthening of chapters across Europe, and the exploration of pluralism and democracy as platforms for vibrant Jewish life. It was a historical and inspiring weekend for the entire Movement. 

Latin America recently kicked off their 10-year anniversary celebration for BBYO Argentina with a calendar full of community-wide events planned over the next few months in Buenos Aires. The festivities will be hosted in recognition of a decade’s worth of passion, energy, and excitement from the Argentinean community—our amazing teens, professional staff, advisors, and parents—who have built the BBYO brand across the country and will keep it strong for decades to come. To complement our established communities, this year brought growth and teen engagement for the first time in Uganda, Singapore, and Morocco, widening BBYO’s reach around the world to ensure that every Jewish teen, no matter where they are, has access to meaningful Jewish experiences.

In February, we are so excited to host our largest Global delegation to date—nearly 500 teens from outside of North America—at BBYO International Convention 2023 in Dallas, Texas.  Until then, keep your eye on BBYO across the globe. No matter where you find yourself from Bogotá to Shanghai, your family will have a home in BBYO!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year,
Nikki Jenner
Manager, Global Engagement

Summer 2023 Staffing Application | We’re gearing up for another fun and enriching summer for our teens—and adults can play an important role! We’re looking for nurses, Jewish educators, wellness specialists, trip staff, and college-aged madrichim for BBYO Summer 2023. Check out all of the opportunities to get involved on our career page.

givingBBYOday Recap | We are overwhelmed with gratitude by the show of support we saw throughout #givingBBYOday, part of GivingTuesday, the global day of giving. In just one day, we were able to raise over $600,000 to support even more Jewish teens having access to meaningful experiences. A big THANK YOU to everyone who spread the word, participated in events, shared their stories, and made the day such a success.

Convention Rewind | Throughout November and December, thousands of teens gathered at weekend conventions to have fun, connect with friends, experience memorable programming and participate in meaningful Shabbat and Havdalah experiences. If your teen had a blast at their local convention, consider an 'extended convention' at a BBYO Summer Experience!

This edition of BBYO Across the World comes to us from Linda Vero Ban, Founder and Director of BBYO Hungary. She invites you to learn about their recent exchange program with Maccabi Tzair, BBYO’s sister movement in Israel.

Hello, BBYO Parents! My name is Linda Vero Ban and I’ve been the Founder and Director of BBYO Hungary in Budapest since 2015. This spring a dream came true when our first-ever twin chapter exchange program was born.

Ten teens from BBYO Hungary, who will be soon the leaders of our chapter, had the opportunity to spend a week in Israel in May. It was a real Israel experience, as they were hosted by local families. They visited school, spent time in the chapter, used public transportation, and really lived life longside the Maccabi Tzair teens.

The highlight of the experience was their participation in the tekes (ceremony) of Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day). They were able to share in commemorating the losses of the country, which is something that is really only understandable for teens by being in Israel at this time of the year. Of course the difficult moments were followed by the blue and white joy of Yom Haatzmaut (Independence Day) and that time of celebration.

The bond between our teens got extremely tight in just a few hours. After the week in Rishon, the separation was heartbreaking and full of tears.

But in end of October, the time arrived for the reunion. Hungarian families hosted back Maccabi Tzair teens in Budapest. Hospitality was just as warm as in Israel, unlike the weather. The delegation had the opportunity to spend three days by sightseeing and learning about the Jewish history of Hungary. But the most important part was they got to know the vibrant Jewish community life in Budapest of the present.

The Israeli teens then joined the Fall Convention of BBYO Hungary in Siofok at Lake Balaton. Forty Hungarian and 10 Israeli teens spent four days together. We had teen-led activities, learning sessions led by professional educators, Kaballat Shabbat, evening programs, dancing, and so much more.

This was the first time that English was the main language of our local convention. It was a challenge, but it worked well and new friendships were born with and without words.
We are dedicated to continuing this exchange program every year and hope to tie our bonds even more strongly with Maccabi Tzair in Rishon. It’s the perfect example of how BBYO connections can grow meaningfully across the globe.

In this edition of Trending Now, we’re sharing updates on the things Gen Z cares about in 2023, what young people really think of recent updates at Twitter, and how gaming platforms are competing with TV and streaming services for their share of brand advertising to teen gamers.

Gen Z Trends in 2023 | A new study from Instagram and forecasting firm WGSN surveyed 1,000 Gen Z social media users to evaluate what they want in the year ahead. A few of the key takeaways include:

• Activism: Gen Z cares deeply about a wide range of issues—and wants the brands and influencers they engage with to do the same. Topics they’re passionate about include disability rights and climate change.
• Community: Unsurprisingly, for a generation which spent many of its formative years in a pandemic that demanded we stay apart, Gen Z is particularly interested in coming together for in-person experiences and connecting more with friends and communities.
• Finances: Gen Z is looking for innovative ways to earn money on the side. The survey found that 64% plan to monetize social media in some way in the coming year, and a quarter want to learn more about financial topics in the year ahead.

Running From Twitter? | When asked their opinion of Twitter since Elon Musk purchased the company, young people—active Twitter users or not—are evenly split on whether the platform has changed that much since Musk took over. For the most part, Musk’s purchase of the company hasn’t impacted Gen Z and Millennials’ decision to use Twitter much so far, and might not ever for most. Young Twitter users were steadily declining before Musk’s purchase and, as sensational as it has been, 11% of young people say they weren’t even aware that Musk had bought the company.

Gaming vs. TV | A recent industry report shows 95% of Gen Z and Millennials play video games, and 78% are playing weekly or more often. That means that for nearly four in five young people, TV providers and streaming services are going head-to-head with gaming brands on young people’s screens. Gen Z’s three favorite games, Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite, are offered on console, computer, and mobile platforms, and those virtual lives are often just as important to young consumers as their real ones. Being that these virtual worlds are where they spend so much time, it’s exactly where brands trying to reach young consumers need to be.

BBYO International Convention (IC) 2023 | IC 2023 is ALMOST here! Our team has been working so hard to make this the best IC yet, and we are just over a month and a half away from seeing everyone in Dallas, Texas. Wondering how to keep up with the latest news from the world’s biggest Jewish teen event? Be sure to follow along with our teen blog, social media (@bbyoinsider), and website for updates. We’ll also be live throughout IC on Facebook and YouTube with teen news desks, live streams and more.

Local Kickoffs | We have many exciting kickoff events coming up in your communities this January! These events let us start the New Year together by providing the opportunity for teens to get reacquainted with BBYO or even try it for the first time and connect with friends in their region. Be sure to check your email for updates regarding kickoff events offered in your area and check out your local BBYO Near You page for more information.

Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards | Do you know a Jewish teen (ages 13–19) who is leading a community service project that embodies tikkun olam, repairing the world? Every year, up to 15 teen leaders from across the U.S. are selected to receive an award of $36,000 each to further their project or for their education. Nominate an inspiring teen or they can apply directly by January 5. Learn more from our partners at dillerteenawards.org.

In case you haven’t heard the exciting news, our International Teen Press Corps launched a new digital podcast, Table Talk with BBYOInsider. We hope you and your teen have been able to listen to our first episodes. This podcast allows parents, teens, alumni, prospects, stakeholders, advisors, and staff to tune in from anywhere in the world to get the inside scoop on all things BBYO, including interviews. Be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.