“I am a BBG”.

We say these words at every election, business meeting, and in many of our chants throughout the programming year. But let’s think deeper about what it means to actually be a BBG.

While others may think BBG is just a Jewish youth group, we know it’s so much more than that. Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA), the boys division of BBYO, was founded in 1924, creating a Jewish brotherhood for Alephs for the next 100+ years. Like most things in life, girls had to wait for what the boys got — B’nai Brith Girls (BBG) was created 20 years later, in 1944, by Anita M. Perlman, who served as the first International N’siah of BBG. 81 years later, BBG is alive and thriving — and, even more important, in today’s climate, for the Jewish people. BBG has given us a beautiful community, and I am grateful for it every day.

?The letters BBG represent so much to us. BBG is getting a candle passed down at life. BBG is laughing at 2 AM at a sisterhood event. BBG is the tears after a life-changing separates. BBG is singing Wonderwall, Lean on Me, and Sweet Mother together. BBG is an“I love you” text sent after an event. BBG is a new lifelong connection made. BBG is the pins worn over our hearts during elections. BBG is getting dressed up to take pictures together. BBG is lying on your best friend at a late-night program. BBG is bonding with someone over Spooey. BBG is our shrieks during spirit circle. BBG is the hardest goodbye after a convention. BBG is the perfectly written “submitted with undying love” at the end of our speech. BBG is our matching hoodies. And most of all, BBG is a hug. An “I missed you” hug. A “goodbye” hug. An “I love you” hug. BBG is the warmth and love of all these hugs we carry with us between events and when we leave BBG someday, for the rest of our lives.

?BBG is more than an organization. BBG is a family. My family. Our family.