On August 21st, 2021, I officially joined BBYO. At the time, 8th-grade me could not have imagined the impact this organization would have on my life. What started as a simple step into Jewish teen leadership quickly grew into something transformative: restarting my local chapter as a freshman, pouring my heart into a regional election, and ultimately being elected as Regional Sh’licha for Connecticut Valley Region.

Through BBYO, I’ve gained more than just leadership experience; I’ve found lifelong friendships across the globe, led moving services that deepened my connection to Judaism, and attended countless incredible programs & conventions that shaped who I am today.

My sister has had the unique opportunity to watch my journey unfold. She saw me attend a BBYO summer program, which was truly life-changing for me. That experience opened my eyes to the depth of BBYO’s impact beyond the school year, and it inspired me to grow as a leader and as a person. Now, she is following in those footsteps by attending CLTC 4 this summer, and I couldn’t be more excited for her to experience the same magic that shaped me.

She has also watched me take advantage of the amazing opportunities BBYO offers at International Convention. IC gave me the chance to connect with thousands of Jewish teens from around the world, to learn from inspiring leaders, and to celebrate our shared traditions on a global stage. This year, she will be joining me in Philadelphia for her very first IC, and I know it will be just as transformative for her as it was for me.

We are very different people: I tend to be quieter and keep to myself, while she is outgoing and thrives as a social butterfly. Despite these differences, BBYO welcomed us both, giving each of us a space to shine. Because our region only allows high schoolers, we will only share one year in BBYO together. That makes every moment even more meaningful. One of my favorite memories from this fall convention was watching my sister meet new people, create inside jokes, and build friendships that I know will last her a lifetime.

As I look back on my journey, I’m grateful not only for the opportunities I’ve had but also for the chance to share them with my sister. BBYO has given us both a home, and even if our time together in the region is short, the impact will last forever.