skip to main content
643ec5a021c44b0d001c49e1_sganit

May 31, 2022, was when I was elected S’ganit of my chapter Hakotel BBG #826. Little did I know that was one of the greatest decisions I ever made regarding BBYO. I always loved my chapter but being on board only made my love for Hakotel grow. Every other week we had our board meetings which doubled the amount of BBYO in my life. As S’ganit I actively contribute to the phrase programming for teens by teens. A highlight this past year was leading and writing our overnight separates. At conventions, I had always seen regional board members pour their hearts out for the BBGs of Nassau Suffolk Region to learn from and our past chapter board doing the same. Now, it was my turn, and though at first it was daunting, with the help of my amazing board our separates brought tears to the room. Another favorite moment as S’ganit was Hakotel’s Havdallaween event in October. My chapter has always been relatively smaller, in the previous year with around 7-8 members at each event, so when we had 13 people at Havdallaween I could not help but have a huge smile on my face. 

We played murder mystery and I was the person murdered so I was not playing in the game. As I sat down I looked up and saw 12 other people questioning one another, laughing, and smiling as wide as the horizon and I knew that the event had been a success. Throughout this whole year not only was I able to have a lasting impact in the running and leadership of my chapter, but some younger members could look up to me. After events, I find myself going to lunch or even the movies with younger members and I am constantly reminded that this year and especially my next two years in BBYO,  I am becoming the older role model I had once looked up to. If you are questioning whether being S’ganit is worth it, I promise this position will always have a special place in my heart, and as long as you give it your all, it will have the same in yours. 

All views expressed on content written for The Shofar represent the opinions and thoughts of the individual authors. The author biography represents the author at the time in which they were in BBYO.

Explore More Stories

Group of people celebrating on stage
Rewind
“With All Your Heart:” Thank You, ILTC

A personal reflection on how ILTC challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, become a better listener and leader, and find a deeper connection to the future of the Jewish community.

Profile picture of Firstname Lastname
Lev Shulman Deerfield, Illinois, United States
Group of people celebrating on stage
Connection
Perlman (Spikeball) Summer

Read about my time at Perlman playing Spikeball.

Profile picture of Firstname Lastname
Jesse Vaytsman Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Group of people celebrating on stage
Identity
The Place I Left Behind and the Place That Found Me

From feeling like an outsider in a place I loved to finding belonging with people from around the world, this is the story of how BBYO Summer changed me for the better.

Profile picture of Firstname Lastname
Hannah Birnbaum Johns Creek, Georgia, United States