What BBYO chapter and region did you belong to as a teen? Which chapter(s) do you support as an advisor, and how long have you been working with these chapters?
I was a member of Gaza AZA #2014 of Laurentian Region Association (which is now Montreal Region), which I joined back in 1976.
Since I started advising in 1982, I served as advisor for two chapters: Gaza AZA #2014 and Chaverim Aluminum AZA #2244, As well, I was a resource person for the other chapter advisors in my region if they had any advisor-related questions, and I filled in for them if they weren't able to attend a chapter program. Between 2017 and 2020, I was a co-advisor to Sababa BBYO #5076, one of the first two BBYO chapters in Montreal after many years. These days, I work in the capacity as an advisor consultant, answering questions and offering advice on BBYO to the region's professional staff, along with helping to recruit new advisors and working alongside the regional board, as well as offering adult support at regional programs.
I first attended IC in 1981 as a regional delegate; I started to staff IC in 1994, and as of now (September 1), I have staffed a total of 28 ICs (and counting).
What was your involvement in BBYO as a teen, and how has that experience shaped you as an adult?
I was elected as chapter S'gan, chapter Godol, regional S'gan and served as chapter Kohane Godol. I also served on a number of regional convention steering committees and was coordinator of our Spring Convention in 1981; that same year, I was a regional delegate at IC.
It turned me into a more empathetic individual. It gave me the opportunity to break out of my shell and allow me to show people there is a side of myself that is filled with confidence, enthusiasm and capabilities that can benefit myself and other people.
What are some of the top learnings you took away from your time in BBYO that you still use today?
The ability to express myself both orally and in writing. How to be a more organized and responsible person. The joy of taking all the knowledge and experience I have absorbed and shared with future generations of teens and colleagues.
How have you seen the impact of your work as an advisor on your teens? On yourself?
The impact of the work I have done as an advisor in BBYO has been reflected on how they applied what they have learned towards their lives and future career paths. Many times, I get responses from teens whom I have worked with on a chapter or regional level, as well as IC and CLTC, saying that the path they chose for their future was partly made possible from what I have taught them while they were in BBYO, which has made a difference for them. I find that very reaffirming.
As for how it affected myself, I find it so meaningful to be a mentor and role model to future generations of BBYOers. I always look forward to meeting BBYO teens no matter what situation or scenario it is. They provide me with a new challenge to share what I have learned as a member.
What I have gained for nearly 50 years is not used as a means of "I remember when...", but "These were the good qualities of BBYO and what it has done for me all these years, and it can happen to you, too."
What were some of the highlights of your time working with BBYO teens?
There are so many! Being an advisor to my home chapter for nearly two decades; being a senior advisor to the region during the 90s and 2000s, in which I served as a right-hand person to the regional director; training advisors and supervise the regional convention steering committees; being leadership staff at seven CLTCs; staffing the BBYO delegation during the 2017 March of the Living; witnessing AZA and BBG teens from the time they join and rise within the ranks during their 4-5 years in BBYO; winning the Bitker AZA Advisor of the Year Award at IC 2016.
Think back to your high school experience with BBYO. Is there something you took from your BBYO experience that informs how you work, lead, and show up today?
I learned to conquer the common fear of speaking in front of a group of people, as well as to effectively present yourself to get your desired message across. I also learned the essentials and importance of working as a team and being organized in order to plan a program so that it would be successful (which I got from my chapter advisor when I served as its Godol).
What advice would you give your teenage self? What do you share with teens today?
To myself: Glad you have joined BBYO. But don't be complacent and end up as a paper member. BBYO is a youth organization that offers so much for you, whether it be leadership skills, Jewish identity, programs for all tastes, meeting new friends, and opening doors to whole new worlds and communities.
To teens today: BBYO is more than just a Jewish youth organization. Yes, it gives you a chance to get together with your peers at original programming on a regular basis that caters to everyone's interests. But be patient and allow yourself to discover that there's so much more. It can give you the skills and know-how so that you can contribute to your Jewish community, but to the global community as well.
What are you most proud of that you are working on today?
The opportunity of being an advisor mentor, which will have me share my BBYO knowledge and experience, now on a one-on-one basis.