skip to main content
681e426486dbfaaab4b10449_Screenshot 2025-05-09 at 1.58.28 PM

After restarting my chapter as a Freshman in high school, it has been my goal to host programs that not only attract teens but also make them excited to come back. Here are my personal top five programs from the past few years! 

5. Cocoa and Crafts 

This one is simple. For our “craft,” we chose to make goody bags for a local children’s hospital in our area. We had a fun hot cocoa bar while experiencing the joy of giving back to our community.

4. Pancake Dinner 

Flip your pancakes, enjoy a delicious topping bar, and play fun games to bond with your chapter. We had a lot of fun with this one, making unique BBYO pancakes and playing a few fun, competitive rounds of Uno.

3. Luau

For our end-of-year party, we called it L’Chayim’s Luau! We had installations for our new board, inducted new members, went swimming, and even hired a company to make us snow cones! Everyone wore fun Hawaiian attire, and we even handed out leis. 

2. Sushi in the Sukkah 

Yes, we had sushi in the Sukkah. We dived into a yummy sushi as well as competing in candy sushi making. We competed in glow-in-the-dark capture the flag, and even made tzedakah boxes for our StandUp cause. This event was a huge hit! 

1. Shabbachi 

Shabbat + Hibachi = Shabbachi! After applying for a grant, we had the funds to provide members with a free hibachi dinner to celebrate Shabbat as a chapter. I would say this is for smaller chapters, but it was a BLAST! 

The sky's the limit with these program ideas. Add your twist, or simplify it. I hope these ideas spark new ideas for the upcoming programming year! 

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
Connection
The Sisterhood I’ve Found Since Becoming a BBG

Since becoming an Ahavah BBG #2303 angel, I have felt such a strong sense of sisterhood and friendship.

Profile picture of Firstname Lastname
Abbey Cohen Jericho, New York, United States
Group of people celebrating on stage
Identity
Taking a Chance on Something Bigger: Running for S’ganit for the First Time

Running for a leadership position like S’ganit for the first time can be intimidating, but taking the leap despite inexperience is a valuable opportunity to learn, make a meaningful impact, and discover your potential.

Profile picture of Firstname Lastname
Lina Gozlan Hollywood, Florida, United States
Group of people celebrating on stage
Connection
From Pierogi to Chabad: My Culinary Tour of Central Europe

From pierogies in Poland to questionable Chabad dinners, my European food experience was anything but predictable.

Profile picture of Firstname Lastname
Mia Kamps Oak Park, Illinois, United States