Parent Portal

PARENT PORTAL

Have you read the letter our CEO sends to over 125 college admissions officers highlighting aspects of the BBYO high school experience that carry over into successful college and professional careers?

READ THE LETTER

For nearly a century, parents have trusted BBYO to create safe and nurturing environments in which their teens can grow, play, learn, and lead. Now more than ever, our programs are constantly evolving, shaped by and for our teens to provide them with the tools to build confidence, skills, and friendships that will last them a lifetime. Parents put their faith in us, and we make it our mission to always uphold it.

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About BBYO

BBYO is the leading pluralistic teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences. With over 700 teen-led chapters (AZA for boys and BBG for girls) across 50 countries around the world, Jewish teens in communities of all shapes and sizes engage their peers in activities focuses on community service, philanthropy, civic engagement, Israel education, and Jewish heritage, among other topics. 

Participation in BBYO begins in eighth grade or freshman year of high school and lasts through graduation. Membership in BBYO is a one-time fee of only $149, and grants teens access to special events, exclusive programs, a peer group that spans the globe, and a robust alumni network that can support their success well beyond high school and into adulthood.

During the school year, programs, conventions, and elections are held on the local, council, regional, and international level and are planned by elected and appointed teen leaders who are chosen by their peers to help create meaningful and fun experiences. 

Like any group with a passionate member base, BBYO has developed a hearty set of internal language and nomenclature which can be confusing to newcomers. Check out this helpful guide to help decode any new words!

Member Experiences

Benefits of BBYO

Teen Leadership

Parent Involvement

Member Experiences

Summer Experiences

BBYO offers teens a wide variety of summer program options. Our members-only leadership programs pair the values of AZA and BBG—leadership, service, brotherhood and sisterhood—with the best of camp—athletics, swimming, electives, and fun in the sun—for a one-of-a-kind experience with an emphasis on growing skills and friendships. Teens can also explore the world with whatever focus drives them—outdoor adventures, service-based trips, cross-cultural connection—through BBYO Passport programs.

Movement Initiatives

Movement initiatives are BBYO’s signature annual programs that introduce and engage current and future members in BBYO locally, nationally, and internationally. Fall Kickoff, Fall Fest, Global Shabbat, Spring Kickoff, J-Serve, and Founder’s Day happen around the same time in communities across the international Order. These unique community-wide events are a powerful reminder that every member is part of something bigger than themselves.​

Local Events

The heart of BBYO takes place in our regions and chapters around the world. This is where teens find their closest friends, have the opportunity to convene with peers, staff, and volunteers on a regular basis, and cultivate pride in their communities and themselves. Visit our BBYO Near You page to find your local chapter, as well as upcoming nearby events.

"BBYO motivated me to stay connected to my Jewish identity throughout highschool. The interactive programming that I participated in and planned kept me interested in learning more about Judaism and introduced me to the diverse wonders of Israel. Being a part of BBYO has connected me to my true Jewish self."  

—Rachel M., BBYO Alumna, Wisconsin Region

 

Benefits of BBYO

Leadership Opportunities

BBYO emphasizes teen leadership on every level—teens can be elected onto chapter, council, regional, or international boards. In addition, throughout the year there are dozens of opportunities for teens to plan, recruit, and coordinate events and programs. You can read more below in the Teen Leadership section!

Inclusive Environment

BBYO strives to welcome all Jewish teens, regardless of background, denominational affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status, including those with a range of intellectual, emotional, and physical abilities.

In addition to our dedicated Director of Inclusion, Ari Handel, LSW, who works year-round to build safe spaces and provide inclusive opportunities to all BBYO teens, we recently launched the BBYO Center for Adolescent Wellness headed by Drew Fidler, LCSW-C. This innovative measure helps to ensure that BBYO and other youth serving organizations are places where adolescents can thrive through institutional best practices in health and wellness.

Jewish Identity

BBYO connects many teens to their Jewish identity post B’nai Mitzvah. Our pluralistic programming includes holiday celebrations and providing teens with opportunities to explore Jewish traditions and history. We work to encourage and facilitate the exploration of Jewish identity as well as Israel advocacy and education through programs about and in Israel.

Global Jewish Connections

With a presence in 50 countries today (and rapidly expanding into new areas), BBYO offers unique opportunities to join together Jewish teens from around the world with one another, expanding their awareness of the diversity of Judaism across the continents. These global connections last a lifetime and create strong and lasting bonds of friendship. Check out more about BBYO’s global reach here!

Vast Alumni Network 

Alumni have the benefit of being a part of an extensive BBYO network of over 400,000 members. These connections can help young people find their calling in college and in future careers.

Alumni can also join BBYO’s Friends and Alumni Network (FAN), which offers members the opportunity to build community, reconnect with fellow alumni, raise funds, and support BBYO’s mission to bring more Jewish teens, more meaningful Jewish experiences, and beyond.

"My time in BBYO learning about leadership and service strategies greatly helped prepare me to be president of my Hillel in college. I felt that going in I already had the organizational tools that many others didn’t learn until they got to university. I also was able to reach out to my peers and advisors to help guide me—especially when I wanted to come back as an advisor myself to help support teens in BBYO the way I was supported!"  

—Julia F., BBYO Alumna, Mountain Region

 

Teen Leadership

Leadership Positions

BBYO is built on providing teens with meaningful Jewish experiences, but as a truly teen-led organization, our members are empowered to take the lead on shaping those experiences, as well as the overall direction for each programming year. 

Members can hold a variety of leadership positions including board positions that can be held for one semester or two, chair positions within a chapter, convention coordinating roles, and summer experience planning positions. Check out our site on leadership opportunities for more information!

Leadership Skills

The leadership model in BBYO provides teens with a toolbox of skills that set them up for success not only in BBYO, but as they move on to higher education, careers, and community leadership. In addition to an emphasis on fostering respect for others and valuing community service, we focus on practical lessons in public speaking, conflict resolution, effective message crafting, program planning and implementation, and so much more.

With so many of our alumni emerging as leaders on their college campuses and in their careers, academic decision makers have taken notice of involvement in BBYO as a positive CV highlight. To underscore this, our CEO, Matt Grossman, sends a letter to over 100 college admissions officers every year highlighting aspects of the BBYO high school experience that carry over into a successful college career.

READ MATT'S LETTER
see the list of colleges

 

"Serving as a regional board member and spending so much of my time in high school programming events and activities has been the greatest opportunity to build my character. BBYO provides opportunities for teens from all backgrounds to build a foundation for a meaningful Jewish life."

​—BBYO Teen, Great Midwest Region​

 

Parent Involvement

Parental Support

Parents can be as involved in BBYO as they choose to be. Often, parents offer support by driving teens to and from programs, hosting events in their homes, advising and offering advice to teens, and volunteering at conventions. Parent involvement and support can encourage teens to be active and comfortable as BBYO members. Parents also get an up-close view of how BBYO programming and leadership opportunities impact their teen’s confidence throughout high school and beyond. 

Advisors

Parents also have a unique opportunity to become volunteer chapter advisors. Advisors are a crucial part of the BBYO experience, serving as adult guides for teen members to help create meaningful and successful programs for the whole chapter to enjoy.

Friends & Alumni Network 

BBYO’s Friends and Alumni Network (FAN) offers members and families the opportunity to build community, reconnect with fellow alumni, raise funds, and support BBYO’s mission to bring more Jewish teens, more meaningful Jewish experiences. Friends and alumni can share enthusiasm, resources, talent, and time to support local teens. Learn about the ways friends and alumni can connect with FAN here.

E-newsletter Updates

In August 2019, we launched BBYO Parent Pulse, a once-every-other-month email update specifically designed to keep parents in the loop on happenings in BBYO and with teen culture in general. Content includes highlights from around the Order, a message from our dedicated wellness and inclusion staff, a thought from our Jewish Enrichment team, a spotlight on current teen trends, and more!

SEE THE LATEST ISSUE
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUES

 

"Our friends told us how CLTC (BBYO summer leadership program) made their kids more outgoing and confident. We sent our son this summer and it was the best decision we’ve made. He sees himself differently and it’s reflected in his confidence. Something amazing happened this summer and I attribute it to BBYO and CLTC."

—Jennifer W., BBYO Parent, Great Midwest Region​

 
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