“I joined BBYO the moment I could. I saw the community it built for my brother and friends, and I wanted to be a part of that so badly.” 

Molly Harburger joined BBYO in 8th grade, and went from winning Baltimore Council’s MIT of the year award that spring, to being named BBG of the year as a freshman. She’s now well-known across all of Northern Region East and is using what she has learned as a member to start a city-focused co-ed chapter in Baltimore. 

Molly was Orali BBG’s MIT Mom for her entire freshman year and then went on to CLTC this past summer. When asked about her favorite BBYO memory, CLTC was the clear answer. “I went in not really knowing what to expect, and I left feeling completely changed. I met some of the most incredible people, learned what real leadership looks like, and felt more connected to BBYO than ever before,” she told me. 

After her two terms as MIT Mom, Molly knew she wanted to find a way to spread the movement to as many teens as possible. “Getting to welcome new members and help them find their place in BBYO meant so much to me,” she said. Then, after going on CLTC, her goal of reviving a co-ed chapter in her council was confirmed. She knew it was what she was meant to do. Like so many other teens, BBYO has helped Molly grow into the most confident version of herself and taught her about leadership in a way she never knew before.

At the end of this summer, Molly was able to get the ball rolling on her new chapter. It will be a Baltimore city-focused group, and she is looking to “create a space that gives Baltimore teens the same sense of connection, leadership, and community” that BBYO has given her.  She hosted a very successful scavenger hunt kickoff and can’t wait to see where the chapter goes from here. 

“This year, I’m really looking forward to building something that lasts, not just for me, but for every future teen in Baltimore City who wants to find their place in BBYO. This chapter is about inclusion, new energy, and showing that Jewish teens in the city can have a place that’s theirs.”