Parent Pulse

Parent Pulse is a bi-monthly newsletter for BBYO member parents to help keep up to date with goings on across the Order. For a century, parents have trusted us to provide a safe space in which their teens can thrive, and Parent Pulse offers an insider’s glimpse into those spaces every other month. Take a look through our past issues here!

Issue 32 | June 2025

WELCOME NOTE

Dear Parents,

As we usher in the start of a long-awaited summer, we do so with full hearts and a deep awareness of the pain and uncertainty in the world right now. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Israel and all those impacted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. We pray for peace, for safety, and for healing during this incredibly difficult time.

In moments like these, the importance of community and connection becomes even more clear. In my role at BBYO and from where I write to you now, I can say with certainty that camp holds a unique kind of magic you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a place where teens are finding a deep sense of belonging, a place to explore their feelings, and a beautiful outdoor environment where they can unwind and relax.

As the Senior Director of Camp Leadership, I have the privilege of leading CLTC, one of the most meaningful and transformative summer experiences we offer. There’s truly nothing quite like a BBYO Summer, and CLTC remains a standout program for both the teens who attend and the staff who support them.

CLTC lays the foundation for leadership within BBYO. Over twelve days, teens build confidence, embrace leadership roles, deepen their Jewish identities, and form lasting friendships. It's a space where they can fully be themselves while learning to lead with purpose and passion—preparing them to make a positive impact in their chapters and communities. This summer is an especially exciting one; we’re launching a brand-new speaker series featuring dynamic voices from fields like sports and wellness, pride, the arts, and more. We’re also introducing AZA and BBG Lounges at every session—welcoming spaces for teens to reflect and recharge during their busy camp days.

Thank you for being a part of the BBYO family—we’re honored to walk alongside your teens during such formative years, especially in times that call for strength, compassion, and unity.

Warmly,
Sara Nussbaum
Senior Director of Camp Leadership

AROUND THE ORDER

Support Your Teen’s Leadership Journey | Applications are now open for BBYO’s International Leadership Network (ILN), which offers meaningful opportunities for all teens (regardless of grade or current role) to get involved and make an impact. Whether your teen is passionate about advocacy, Jewish enrichment, music, or journalism, there’s a place for them through ILN committees, cohorts, clubs, or as a coordinator. Applications close August 20, so encourage them to apply soon! Learn more on the BBYO Lead page.

Congrats to the Class of 2025 | Graduation may mark the end of high school, but it’s just the beginning of a lifelong BBYO journey. We’re proud to officially welcome this year’s senior class into our alumni family. New graduates can stay connected through networks, special events, and exclusive opportunities. Encourage your teen to visit bbyo.org/alumni to keep the connection going strong.

Global Highlights Across the Order | As a new programming year begins, BBYO communities around the world are buzzing with momentum. In Mexico, younger teens are getting their first taste of leadership and connection through their launch of BBYO Connect, a new initiative for 12 to 14-year-olds. In South Africa, teen leaders in Cape Town brought together dozens of young children and their families for a Pajama Book night filled with Jewish values and community spirit. BBYO Austria took home first place in Vienna’s JewFactor song contest with a performance that had the entire crowd on their feet. And in Japan, BBYO Tokyo celebrated a major milestone with their first-ever chapter elections, laying the foundation for a bright future.

JEWISH PRIDE

The Jewish Youth for Unity initiative—a collaborative effort between BBYO and several other Jewish youth organizations—has successfully brought together teens from across communities and denominations to celebrate shared values, heritage, and the power of Jewish Joy. Over the course of the initiative, participants engaged in a series of meaningful projects designed to spark creativity, connection, and pride. Highlights included:

Our Rosh Hashana poster contest invited teens to express the beauty of the holiday while wishing the community at large a happy Jewish New Year. The winning poster, designed by Nathan Kamp, a BBYO teen from The Netherlands, hung in public schools nationwide. You can look back at the winning designs here.

The Instagram photojournalism project invited teens to share moments of cross-community connection, flooding social media with inspiring snapshots of joyful moments. Our most-liked photos were made into digital greeting cards that were shared for Hanukkah and New Year’s. You can check out the Instagram account here.

At BBYO International Convention (IC) 2025, teens recorded a special podcast episode featuring bestselling author Jean Meltzer, diving deep into what Jewish Joy means to them, both personally and as part of their communities. You can listen to the podcast here.

And in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, teen leaders spearheaded a library display project, showcasing Jewish culture, history, and contributions in schools.

This initiative not only celebrated the richness of Jewish identity but also reminded us of the strength we find when we stand together.

DEAR DREW

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: Summer’s here, and my teen is ready to check out and relax. How can I encourage them to stay engaged and grow without hovering? — Pamela F.

Dear Pamela: Summer is often seen as a time for rest and relaxation (and maybe even a little brain rot). However, it’s also a prime opportunity for growth and development. For teens, summer is the perfect time to activate new skills and build up their resilience muscles.

Whether your teen is a counselor-in-training, working at camp, lifeguarding, interning, or scooping ice cream, summer is a great chance for them to learn workplace independence. Encourage them to make their own calls or send texts about days off. If issues arise with coworkers or managers, coach them through the steps and then let them handle it. For summer reading, tutoring, or classes, help them create a schedule and check-in system. And if they’re traveling solo for the first time, let them take charge of packing, organizing, and setting up a system that works best for them.

In all these situations, the goal is to let your teen learn to succeed independently; this will let them develop problem-solving skills, ask questions, and build new neuropathways. Even failure becomes a valuable learning opportunity. Often, we jump in to help our teens because it’s easier and we want to protect them from struggle. But summer offers many low-risk opportunities for teens to practice and grow skills critical for their long-term growth and healthy development.

Good mental health isn’t about avoiding conflict or challenges; it’s about learning to navigate struggles and knowing when and how to ask for help. One of the goals of parenthood is learning how to be a sideline coach. We step in when situations become unmanageable or unsafe, but offer guidance when things are uncomfortable—and let our teens take the lead and run with things. This summer, find ways to hand your teen the reins and, in true BBYO fashion, let them lead and learn.

IN THEIR WORDS

BBYO has become a space where so many teens feel like they belong, and one of the biggest reasons for that is our commitment to inclusion. But what does inclusion really look like in practice? This past year, I had the honor of helping answer that question as one of BBYO’s International Pride Committee Leads. I worked with an amazing group of teens from around the world to create new resources and programs that help make BBYO an even more welcoming place for LGBTQ+ members.

Together with my co-leads and a passionate group of teens from across the globe, we worked to expand LGBTQ+ visibility and belonging throughout the Movement. From launching the Pride Club, a monthly virtual space where teens could connect and be themselves, to leading inclusive programming at International Convention like a drag queen-led service with Laura Menorah, LGBTQ+ meetups, and welcoming a Trans Jewish teen speaker to the stage, we created spaces that made more people feel seen, safe, and celebrated.

The impact goes beyond international spaces and reflects in more personal settings. In my home region, I served as president of Simcha BBYO #5003, BBYO’s LGBTQ+ chapter in the Lake Ontario Region. When Simcha first launched, many questioned if it could succeed. Today, we’re one of the most active chapters in our region with strong attendance, teen leaders in regional roles, and a deep sense of community. For many of our members, Simcha is the reason they joined BBYO. It’s a place where no one has to hide who they are, a place where teens can be loud and proud in every part of their identity.

BBYO has given me, and so many others, the chance to grow into proud queer Jewish leaders. Whether or not your teen is part of the LGBTQ+ community, the love and belonging they’ll find in BBYO will help them thrive. We’re building a Movement where every teen can show up as their full self, and that’s something worth celebrating.

Want to learn more about my chapter? Follow us on Instagram at @BBYOSimcha.

Elliot Kritzer
Pride Committee Lead, Lake Ontario Region, Simcha BBYO #5003

GRAB BAG

Share the BBYO Magic: Invite Others to Join the Movement

There’s something incredible about watching your teen walk into a BBYO event and light up—whether it’s reuniting with friends, leading a program they helped plan, or feeling seen and celebrated just as they are. As a parent, you get a front-row seat to that transformation.

As we look ahead to the new school year—Fall Kickoffs, local events, new faces, and more adventures on the horizon—we can’t help but feel excited for what’s to come. And we know there are lots of other teens out there who could benefit from BBYO as much as yours has.

If you know a teen looking for connection, leadership, or just a place to belong, please tell them about BBYO! Sometimes, all it takes is a personal invitation to open the door to a life-changing experience.

👉 You can direct them to bbyo.org/join to learn more and sign up anytime (and if they do, let us know and we’ll send your teen a thank you gift!).

Did you know? BBYO’s Parent Advisory Council hosts a series of events and seminars throughout the year designed just for our parent community. From expert advice on teen wellness and stress management to practical tips for the transition from high school to college, these events are full of valuable insights to help you support your teen. Catch up on past events here and stay tuned to this space for updates as the series continues in early fall.