I joined BBYO at a time when I didn’t feel "Jewish enough". I felt like I was too Jewish for my non-Jewish friends and not Jewish enough for my Jewish friends. I got asked to come to a camp. I brushed it off like the number of times I had been asked before. Finally I asked more about it and signed up to go. That camp was transformational for me. I finally felt like I had found people who truly understood each other in a way I’ve never experienced. I no longer felt like I wasn’t Jewish enough, I just felt like I was enough. That camp showed me Judaism isn’t one thing and how different your expression of Judaism can look for every person.

I continued to go to every BBYO event I could: J-Serves, bowling, countless chapter meetings, and so many others. I had jumped in head first to BBYO. When elections were brought up, I had watched the board serve and how much they did. I wanted the chance to do the same. Elections in Australian chapters run a little differently, and after running for two positions I ended up as S'ganit. September 2nd, 2024 was the day I got elected as S'ganit and it marked a change in the trajectory of my life.

The role of S'ganit really allowed me to unlock a level of leadership I truly never would have thought was possible for me. The role gave me opportunities like speaking on stage at IC, getting my own Jewish radio show, an internship at Australia’s national radio, and nominations for a JNF award. I truly do not think I would be where I am without BBYO. Experiences like IC truly changed my life by opening me up to new experiences and people. The BBYO connection is unlike anything I’ve ever felt. I was able to move across the world and have an amazing group of Jewish friends no matter where I went. Without BBYO and my amazing advisor Chloe, I truly believe I would be lost.