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 28 | October 2024

WELCOME NOTE

Dear Parents,

We would like to give a warm welcome to Tal Maymon, our new Maccabi World Union Shlicha, who has worked with BBYO in the past years from Israel. Tal will be involved in all matters related to Israel activities, Hebrew, Judaism, and more. Tal arrived just in time to help plan and prepare for the October 7th Memorial Day. This day featured a global ceremony for BBYO teens, fundraising by teens from around the world, and various activities to commemorate the day, like the “We Will Dance Again” social media initiative. These events were a testament to the unity and resilience of our community, as we came together to honor and remember.

Looking ahead, we have many activities and events planned, culminating in the summer of 2025, which will be here before we know it. With hopes for the safe ability to do so, BBYO will offer a few programs in the Jewish homeland, such as the Israel Volunteer Program, Israel Journey Program, and the International Leadership Seminar in Israel (ILSI). These programs provide invaluable opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and cultural immersion. Additionally, the 22nd Maccabiah Games, the second largest sporting event in the world after the Olympics, will take place. This event not only celebrates athletic excellence but also fosters a sense of global Jewish identity.

Within the United States, BBYO will host various Camp Leadership Experiences, including CLTC, ILTC, and International Kallah. These programs will feature dedicated emissaries from Israel and will be enriched with Israeli content that we will bring with us. Participants will engage in meaningful activities, build lifelong friendships, and deepen their connection to their heritage.

We are excited for the upcoming year and look forward to the continued engagement and support of our community!

Wishing you all a good and successful year,

Noam Dahary
Director of Israel Enrichment

Tal Maymon
Maccabi World Union Shlicha

AROUND THE ORDER

Summer 2025 | BBYO Summer 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience for our teens, and we want to make sure your teen is part of the fun! Whether it’s leadership programs, travel, or immersive Jewish experiences, BBYO Summer has something for everyone. Be sure to take advantage of our Early Bird rates before they end on November 25 to secure your spot and save on costs. Opportunities like this fill up fast, so don’t wait—register today and make this summer one your teen will remember forever!

Fall Conventions | As we kick off Fall convention season, there are incredible opportunities for your teen to connect, grow, and create lasting memories. From leadership workshops to meaningful Jewish experiences, our convention weekends are designed to inspire and empower. To find local events near you, be sure to visit our BBYO Near You page. Plus, keep an eye out for more information coming soon from your regional staff about upcoming conventions and how your teen can get involved!

Voice Your Vote | BBYO’s Voice Your Vote campaign is in full swing and hundreds of young organizers are working hard to help get out the vote. Parents can easily get involved by registering to vote, pledging to vote, or even signing up to be a poll worker. Learn more about what we’ve got going on for our campaign here.

JEWISH PRIDE

Marking October 7th

Across the Movement this month, BBYO chapters and regions marked the one-year anniversary of the October 7th terrorist attacks in Israel by organizing online and in-person gatherings. Hundreds of BBYO members, parents, and alumni joined together virtually on Sunday, October 6th for One Year Later: United in Remembrance, Driven By Purpose, hearing from teens living in Israel as well as BBYO alum Uri Zakai, who was an active leader in Central Region West and now serves in the IDF.

Additionally, teens reflected on the last year alongside their peers at moving events in their local communities. Teens in Melbourne, Australia, invited a group of visiting Israelis to share their experiences and perspectives. Other teens—in Pacific Region West, Rocky Mountain Region, and beyond—invited IDF soldiers to speak. Teens in Eastern Region brought dozens of their peers together for Havdalah, finding strength in songs and prayers for peace. And in Hudson Valley Region, over 100 teens and parents came together to hear from local shinshinim (young Israeli emissaries) and read aloud the names of the 101 hostages still in captivity, before creating a mural to be shared on social media with the hashtag #bringthemhomenow.

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: Why does my teen feel so anxious about this year's election cycle in the U.S., and how can I help manage those feelings?

Dear Parent: Nervousness about this year’s election cycle goes beyond just Election Day; it’s fueled by non-stop headlines, continuous social media chatter, and issues like climate change, diminished protections for LGBTQ+ youth, and rising antisemitism. These factors contribute to anxiety and sense of uncertainty. For many teens who aren’t eligible to vote, this lack of control can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, frustration, and anger.
When our children feel out of control, overwhelmed, or stressed, it can trigger bad habits, increase risky behaviors, and exacerbate mental health challenges. To reduce feelings of stress and worry, encourage your teen to try the following:

Find the trigger. Has your teen noticed an uptick in their feelings around certain conversations with family or friends, or when they are doom scrolling? Once they can identify the trigger, they are better able to take a step back and limit their exposure to it.
Take care of yourself. People feel better when they get enough sleep, eat properly, and exercise regularly. Yoga, meditation, or mindfulness can help reduce tension. Maintaining a regular schedule of activities can also help teens be present and reestablish a sense of normalcy.
Take breaks. It’s okay to mute conversations, unfollow, and even put down your device and walk away. Teens should be encouraged to take time to breathe, reboot and let their phone (and themselves) recharge.
Exert control in a healthy way: A person doesn’t have to be old enough to vote to feel like they are doing something this election season. Teens can volunteer to get out the vote, work the polls, write letters, or find another way to participate that feels good.
Engage in fun and meaningful activities: Encourage teens to take time to do something they enjoy, like taking a walk, watching a movie, or connecting safely with friends. This can increase their sense of well-being and optimism.

Stress and worry are normal. By encouraging our teens to build healthy coping skills, we can help them manage uncomfortable moments and navigate this election season with greater resilience and peace of mind.

IN THEIR WORDS

Get a glimpse into the travels of BBYO’s teen presidents as they bring the spirit of AZA and BBG to communities around the world. Through their "Keeping Pace" articles—featured in The Shofar, the international newsletter of AZA and BBG—our 100th Grand Aleph Godol, Dan Mezistrano, and 80th Anita M. Perlman International N’siah, Joelle Abaew, share their unique experiences, reflections, and the connections they’ve made so far throughout their term. Read up on their most recent travels and memorable moments and stay tuned by subscribing to The Shofar.

August
Stepping Into My Role as Grand Aleph Godol | Dan Mezistrano
Kicking Off The Year | Joelle Abaew

September
Execs, RLTIs, and Community Visits! | Dan Mezistrano
Welcome Back to Joelle's Journey! | Joelle Abaew

October
September on the Move | Dan Mezistrano
Exploring CRW, PWR, GMR, and Wisconsin | Joelle Abaew

GRAB BAG

What does it mean to be Jewish in public school today? For 71 percent of teens who responded to our survey in January of this year, it means responding to firsthand in-person or online harassment and discrimination. But we know that Judaism means so much more—our story is bigger, more vivid, and infinitely more joyful than it is often painted by others. So we, in partnership with other major Jewish youth organizations, set out to help reshape the narrative around Judaism in public schools and communities at large. The goal was to give teens a creative outlet, elevate the visibility of Jewish tradition and culture, and encourage more empathetic and compassionate dialogue. The Jewish Youth for Unity initiative was born.

The first event came in the form of a Rosh Hashana Poster contest. After dozens of submissions and a public vote, Nathan Kamp of the Netherlands was our winning artist! His stunning work was printed and hung in schools across North America and beyond. The poster included a QR code which linked to this page with a beautiful video greeting from teens representing all of the hosting organizations, teaching a bit about the holiday and this time of year.

This is just the beginning for the Jewish Youth for Unity initiative. To be the first to know about what's next, complete this quick form!