WELCOME NOTE

Dear Parents,

As we move through the holiday season, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all parents who contribute to BBYO’s mission. Your support—whether through time, resources, or energy—ensures we can engage more Jewish teens in meaningful experiences that shape their futures.

The work I do is possible thanks to a generous couple, Lewis and Sandy Schneider, who met as teens in BBYO in Silver Spring, Maryland, in 1965. For the Schneiders, BBYO not only sparked their love story but also connected them to a broader Jewish community and inspired a lifelong commitment to giving back. In 2021, their vision led to the creation of the For Every Jewish Teen Campaign.

This campaign aims to reach, engage, and inspire Jewish teens in small, rural, and unique communities across the U.S. Now in its fourth year, it supports 50 communities, helping to launch new chapters and expand engagement. To date, it has reached an estimated 1,500 teens, with over 800 becoming BBYO members.

We’ve also prioritized teens who may feel disconnected from Jewish life. A virtual chapter for boarding school students, created last year by dedicated teen leaders, now connects dozens of students through BBYO On Demand. Our partnership with the Jewish Welfare Board links teens from military families with local chapters, and a new club is building an international community of Jewish military teens.

As someone who grew up in a small Jewish community in Greenville, South Carolina, this campaign is personal to me. Starting my own chapter gave me the confidence to lead and build the community I longed for. Today, it’s my greatest joy to help teens find their voice and sense of belonging through BBYO.

With gratitude and light,
Ruthie Perlman
Manager, North American New Chapters and Community Expansion

AROUND THE ORDER

Global Shabbat | This coming weekend, December 13 & 14, over 150 Global Shabbat programs and events will be held across the world! This year’s theme, From Strength to Strength (מחיל אל חיל), highlights how staying connected makes us all stronger. Whether it’s a Shabbat service led by talented song leaders, a friendly dinner, or fun activities like ice skating and challah making, there’s fun for everyone! We’re excited to celebrate with your teens—check out more on our Global Shabbat page.
 
Summer 2025 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 2025. Check out all of the opportunities to get involved on our careers page, and if you’re teen isn’t registered yet, check out our 30+ program options at bbyosummer.org.
 
Spring Kickoffs | As we kick off the new semester, Spring Kickoffs are right around the corner! Hundreds of BBYO communities are hosting amazing opportunities for your teen to connect, learn, and make lasting memories. From roller skating parties to rock climbing, these activities are a fun way for teens to celebrate and meet new friends in your local Jewish community. To learn more about events in your area, reach out to your local BBYO staff.

IN THEIR WORDS

Celebrating a Record-breaking #givingBBYOday
On Tuesday, December 3, BBYO celebrated #givingBBYOday—a Movement-wide day of fundraising taking place on Giving Tuesday. We are so grateful to everyone across our community, including generous parent donors and teen leaders, for their role in this impactful event that directly supports our local regions. Below is a reflection from a BBYO teen who played a leadership role in this initiative:

My name is Natalie Hittelman, and I’m currently serving as the regional Gizborit (Fundraising Vice President) for Connecticut Valley Region. This year, as a teen leader working alongside more than 90 of my peers to plan and promote #givingBBYOday as part of the leadership team, I got to meet and work with so many creative individuals worldwide. Witnessing teens’ collective enthusiasm and dedication to raising funds for our regions, and creating more opportunities for teens globally to get involved in BBYO, was profoundly motivating. I am grateful that I was able to help spearhead such a powerful fundraiser and it is so meaningful to know the opportunities it will offer more teens.

My involvement in #givingBBYOday was driven by the belief that financial barriers should never hinder a teen's ability to find their place in BBYO. Leading such a powerful fundraiser was an incredible experience, as it allowed me to make a direct and meaningful impact on teens globally. I am deeply grateful for BBYO and honored to have played a significant role in #givingBBYOday. The experience reaffirmed my commitment to BBYO and my belief in the power of our community to create lasting change. I am proud and grateful that more than 7,000 supporters donated, allowing us to surpass our goal and raise more than $1,000,000 for our Movement. Thank you to the generous donors, and 1,400 teen Ambassadors worldwide, who are helping to sustain BBYO.

Earlier this month, BBYO’s 80th Anita M. Perlman International N’siah, Joelle Abaew, had the opportunity to meet with 106-year-old alumna Helen Levy. Helen was an active member of B’nai B’rith Women’s Organization, which eventually became B’nai B’rith Girls in 1944. (BBYO became independent of B’nai B’rith in 2002.) Helen shared her memories with Joelle and reflected on what the organization meant to her in her young adult years. Later on, Helen's granddaughter was a member of BBG and her great-grandchildren are active in the Movement today—more than 80 years after their great-grandmother first became involved.

“Meeting Helen and hearing about all that she has experienced in her lifetime, including her involvement in BBYO, was a very special experience,” Joelle shared. Stay tuned for a full recording of their remarkable conversation coming in January 2025!