BBYO, the largest pluralistic Jewish teen Movement in the world is pleased to announce the election of Ruth Perlman of Glencoe, Illinois, as Chair of its International Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2026. A longtime volunteer leader and advocate for Jewish youth, Perlman brings a lifelong commitment to leadership development, philanthropy, and Jewish communal engagement to the role. She succeeds Craig L. Weiss following his completion of service as Board Chair. 

Perlman, who currently serves on BBYO’s Board of Directors, has been a member of the Board for six years, including serving as Vice Chair and Chair of BBYO’s Centennial Campaign. In her role as Chair, she will work closely with BBYO's professional and volunteer leadership to advance the organization’s strategic vision as it builds on a century of impact and looks ahead to its next 100 years.  

“BBYO has shaped generations of Jewish leaders by giving teens the confidence to find their voice, build meaningful connections, and make a difference in their communities,” said Perlman. “It is an extraordinary honor to serve as Board Chair at this pivotal moment in the Movement's history. I look forward to working alongside our volunteers, professionals, alumni, and supporters to ensure even more Jewish teens have access to the leadership opportunities, friendships, and sense of belonging that BBYO provides." 

Perlman's appointment carries special significance in BBYO's history. She is the granddaughter of Anita M. Perlman, founder of the B’nai B’rith Girls (BBG), whose vision and advocacy helped create a place at the table for generations of Jewish young women and shaped the future of the BBYO Movement.  

During a time of growing antisemitism and global uncertainty in the early 1940s, Anita Perlman championed leadership opportunities for Jewish girls, believing that empowering young people was essential to building a stronger future. Her efforts helped transform a collection of local groups into a nationally recognized movement that would ultimately become an integral part of BBYO's global network. 

In 2019, the Perlman family made a transformational $25 million gift to BBYO to establish the Anita M. Perlman Women's Leadership Initiative and endow the Anita M. Perlman International N'siah (teen president), honoring her legacy of empowering generations of young women leaders. 

"Ruth's leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to Jewish teens make her exceptionally well-suited to lead BBYO's Board," said Matt Grossman, CEO of BBYO. "She understands both the rich history that has shaped our Movement and the opportunities ahead as we continue expanding access to meaningful Jewish experiences for teens around the world. Following her extraordinary stewardship of our Centennial Campaign, we are thrilled to welcome Ruth into this role." 

A graduate of Northwestern University, Perlman is an accomplished actress, singer, writer, and community volunteer. She serves as Executive Vice President of the Perlman Family Foundation, founded by Anita and Louis Perlman and holds leadership roles across numerous civic, educational, and Jewish organizations. Her philanthropic service has included positions with Am Shalom Synagogue, the North Suburban Medical Research Junior Board of Chicago Children's Memorial Hospital, Glencoe School District 35, JUF Encompass, Beber Camp, and the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science. 

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About BBYO 

BBYO is the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in meaningful Jewish experiences. For more than 100 years, 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), provide exceptional leadership programs and identity enrichment experiences, shaping the confidence and character of hundreds of thousands of alumni who are 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. With year-round activities in hundreds of local communities, many 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.”