ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021
BBYO is the Jewish community’s largest pluralistic youth Movement, engaging thousands of teens in values-based leadership development and delivering fun, meaningful, and affordable experiences that inspire a lasting connection to the Jewish people.
REFLECTING ON OUR YEAR
Dear Friends,
In a time when teens needed BBYO more than ever, our Movement was there for them. Throughout the past year, BBYO kept teens connected as we explored new and imaginative ways to build community worldwide—expanding our impact and launching new chapters as record-breaking numbers of teens sought out the connectivity and compelling experiences that BBYO has to offer.
BBYO’s theme for the year, “United We Rise,” captured the resiliency of our Movement and unflappable dedication of our teens as they navigated the challenges and triumphs of the ongoing pandemic. BBYO continued to serve as a vital platform for members to take the lead in making an impact in their communities—from Voice Your Vote and explorations of racial justice through Jewish text, to standing together against anti-Semitism. In February, teens came together to transform BBYO International Convention into not just a virtual event but a 24/7 digital hub, enabling teens around the world to form friendships, hear from inspiring speakers, build new skills, and nourish their spirits. And last summer, as BBYO Summer Experiences resumed in person, we returned again to doing what we love. Whether it was celebrating Shabbat at Perlman or taking 650 teens to Israel, thanks to the support of $3,000 RootOne travel vouchers, the role of our Movement and strength of BBYO remained as constant and critical as ever.
TABLE oF CONTENTS
OUR GLOBAL MOVEMENT
Expanding our impact and exploring new ways to connect Jewish teens, BBYO reached teens in 702 communities and 60 countries this year—providing thousands of Alephs and BBGs with fun, friendship, and a sense of belonging amidst a time of uncertainty and change.
“BBYO has taught me that Judaism is for all Jewish teens, and showed me that I have brothers and sisters all over the world.”
— Dalia A., BBYO Chile
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70,000
Teens Reached
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34,202
Global Members
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57
New Communities
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5,000
Regional Convention Attendees
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491,661
BBYO On Demand Views
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12,000
BBYO On Demand Unique Users
EXPANDING OUR IMPACT
This year, BBYO expanded to new communities from Montenegro and Chile to Spain and South Africa—providing more teens around the world with a meaningful connection to Judaism, a space to grow as leaders, and a platform to build relationships with peers around the world.
cONNECTIVITY ON DEMAND
BBYO On Demand continued to serve as a powerful platform for teens to create new experiences and connect with each other across our Movement. On Demand events and reimagined immersive experiences strengthened connections between Alephs and BBGs and took global connectivity to a new level.
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CROSS-CULTURAL CONNECTION
Shabbat On Demand created a space for teens to come together and build relationships across communities. “Love Thy Neighbor Shabbat” in August inspired teens with song, prayer, and reflections on welcoming others, and featured a panel of speakers from diverse faiths.
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A COMEDIC KICKOFF
In September, more than 1,000 teens tuned in to kick off our year and share laughs at a Movement-wide On Demand event featuring SNL star Colin Jost. Across the globe, BBYO teens found creative ways to launch the year and welcome new members into their local communities—from baseball games and outdoor carnivals to care package home deliveries.
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FORMING FRIENDSHIPS
BBYO On Demand provided an opportunity for teens to build relationships in new and creative ways. Alephs and BBGs in Northern Region East: Baltimore Council and Michigan Region connected with their peers in Ethiopian communities throughout the year in partnership with the Ethiopian National Project.
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HEADING ABROAD—FROM HOME
Over 100 teens from North America, Australia, Serbia, and beyond came together for reimagined virtual Ambassador trips to Germany and Ukraine—connecting with peers, exploring Jewish teen life in these communities, visiting historic landmarks, and hearing from local leaders, elected officials, and artists.
“While everything else was being canceled, BBYO was able to adapt to the pandemic, and gave me something to look forward to every week. BBYO’s virtual experiences helped me meet some of my best friends and gave me a sense of community at a time when I felt isolated.”
— Gabriella C.,
BBYO Northern Region East:
Baltimore Council
A SENSE OF cOMMUNITY
Across our Movement, BBYO fostered supportive environments for teens to strengthen connections to Judaism and explore their identities as they engaged in educational Jewish experiences led by teens, for teens.
CONNECTING TO ISRAEL
Launched this year, the Global Israel Fellowship cohort offered teens a constructive space to learn about, grapple with, and engage with Israel—building a global network of knowledgeable teen facilitators, empowered to interact with their peers via respectful dialogue and nuanced, effective Israel programming.
CELEBRATING SHABBAT
Global Shabbat this year reached more than 6,000 teens in 38 countries, connecting Alephs and BBGs with educators, activists, and other inspiring leaders in their communities to share stories and reflections in a meaningful Shabbat experience. In the United Kingdom, teens invited a Holocaust survivor to join them for Saturday night Havdalah, followed by a Hanukkah candle-lighting open to the entire community on Sunday.
STRENGTHENING TIES
Virtual, hybrid, and in-person regional conventions provided BBYO teens with opportunities to deepen relationships, have fun, and create lifelong friendships with peers in their region. Worldwide, nearly 100 regional conventions this year engaged over 5,000 teens in community-building, leadership development, and celebrations of Shabbat.
“BBYO truly has changed my life for the better, and I’m so thankful for this. I think that in spite of the pandemic, BBYO has been able to flourish, and has helped so many teens just like me make friends all around the world, connect with their Jewish identity, and gain leadership experience. “
— Julia R., BBYO Liberty Region
BUILDERS OF A BRIGHT FUTURE
Throughout the year, teens found new ways to impact and enrich their communities. From action and advocacy to philanthropy and hands-on service, Alephs and BBGs developed skills in collaboration, coalition-building, and organization through BBYO as they worked together to address the issues most important to them.
RAISING OUR VOICE
In November, Voice Your Vote mobilized teens to register to vote, encourage other young people to register, volunteer at the polls, and engage civically in their communities. In BBYO Ohio Northern Region, teens hosted leaders from local Cleveland activist organizations in a Town Hall style event in October in preparation for the upcoming Presidential Election, as speakers explored pressing topics from environmentalism to LGBTQ+ advocacy.
GIVING BACK
For this year's J-Serve: International Day of Jewish Youth Service, over 8,000 teens in 25 countries and 50 communities across our Movement united for a day of service, learning, and teen philanthropy. BBYO Delta Region engaged over 150 teens in person and online, helping to beautify the local JCC, cleaning up playgrounds, and cooking a meal to donate to a nearby shelter. Delta Region teens also organized a virtual event exploring health, body image, and body empowerment with partner organization Fat Torah and speaker Adam Quigley.
aMPLIFYING IMPACT
Following the successful launch of the Anita M. Perlman Women’s Leadership Initiative Advisory Council in 2019, two new Advisory Councils launched this year: the Wellness & Inclusion Advisory Council and the Parent Advisory Council. Comprising adult experts, advocates, alumni, and knowledgeable community leaders, council members provided mentorship to teens and alumni, joining together to guide BBYO strategy and strengthen our Movement.
“BBYO has helped me develop into the person I am today. Not only did I gain so many leadership skills to bring back to my community, but I made friends that will last so much farther than my time in this organization. I have grown as a person and a leader because of BBYO.”
— Emma G., BBYO South Jersey Region
INNOVATION AND IMAGINATION
In partnership with Our Common Destiny, the Common Ground Challenge empowered teens to explore new ways to build connections with each other and celebrate both differences and the values we all share. For Tu Bishvat, BBYO teens in South Africa and Israel traded seedlings and personal notes with one another. Click the video to watch their friendships “bloom” from one continent to another.
ADDRESSING TEEN MENTAL HEALTH
This year demanded that BBYO reevaluate our approach to teen mental health, including adding further support for staff training and expanding programming to combat stigmas, raise awareness, and talk openly about mental health. In partnership with the National Council for Behavioral Health, BBYO launched Teen Mental Health First Aid—a pioneering effort providing teens with the tools and training to learn to support their peers, and know where to turn for help.
BBYO INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
This year, teen leaders across the globe transformed our flagship event into a four-day, continuous online experience. BBYO International Convention 2021 gathered Alephs and BBGs across the globe to connect and build relationships in ways they never imagined possible, with thousands of teens attending round-the-clock programs and accessing an unparalleled lineup of speakers, influencers, and celebrities.
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2,070
Teen Attendees
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47
Countries Represented
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450
Virtual IC Programs
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121
Inspiring Speakers
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33
Leadership Labs
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28
Teen-Led Shabbat Experiences
UNITED WE RISE: A RECAP
Much more than just a series of Zoom links, this year’s International Convention provided an opportunity to reimagine the ways in which BBYO builds community between teens worldwide. Re-envisioning hundreds of programs, speakers, and teen-led experiences digitally, teens rose to a challenge like never before as they worked tirelessly to unite their peers in new ways. Click the video to see how this remarkable experience unified our Movement like never before.
IC 2021 SPEAKER HIGHLIGHTS
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Deni Avidja
Professional Basketball Player, Washington Wizards
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Netta Barzilai
Singer and Winner, Eurovision 2018
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The Honorable Gabby Giffords
Activist and Former Member, U.S. House of Representatives
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Adam Kantor
Broadway Actor, Writer, and Producer
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Karla Martinez de Salas
Editor in Chief, Vogue Mexico & Vogue Latin America
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Nola Weinstein
Global Head of Culture & Brand Experience, Twitter
A HUB oF JEWISH LIFE
The heart of the convention experience, BBYO Boulevard is typically a space for teens to mingle, discover, and explore as they stroll past pop-up events, interactive experiences, and fun IC surprises. This year, teens redesigned the business and bustle of the Boulevard to take place online—with 24/7 programming from meditation and yoga to cooking classes, fitness, and AZA and BBG Lounges taking the shape of fun virtual hangouts.
nEW FRIENDSHIPS
As one of the standout experiences of IC 2021, virtual roommates brought teens together to recreate the experience of “sharing a room” at convention. With activities, roommate competitions, and games to enjoy, teens formed new friendships and had fun with their peers across our Movement.
A TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO SUMMER
With a much-needed breath of fresh air, teens across the Movement reunited in person this summer for BBYO leadership, camp, and travel experiences across North America and Israel. Teens safely gathered in idyllic outdoor settings to have fun, engage in new experiences, and gain the lifelong leadership skills that will strengthen our community’s future.
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1,398
BBYO Summer Program Participants
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642
Teens Travellers to Israel with BBYO
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345
Chapter Leadership Training Conference (CLTC) Participants
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148
Kallah Participants
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193
International Leadership Training Conference (ILTC) Participants
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70
Movement Makers & Camp BBYO Participants
A NEW HOME FOR CLTC
Taking place for the first time this summer at the Commonpoint Retreat Center in Poyntelle, Pennsylvania, Chapter Leadership Training Conference (CLTC) provided 345 9th and 10th grade BBYO members with the organizational skills to make an impact in their communities. In a beautiful outdoor camp setting, teens learned how to run a BBYO chapter—building relationships, growing as leaders, and deepening connections across our Movement.
SHABBAT tO REMEMBER
Each summer, BBYO teens create and lead a powerful Shabbat experience in which they invite Holocaust survivors to join them at Perlman Camp. Teens come together to hear their stories, reflect on their experiences, and form relationships spanning the generations. As the moving highlight of this special weekend, survivors are inducted into AZA and BBG in memory of the experiences they themselves did not have as teens.
HEADING tO tHE HOLY LAND
Generously supported by the Marcus Foundation and powered by the Jewish Education Project, the availability of $3,000 RootOne travel vouchers in Summer 2021 enabled BBYO to send nearly 700 teens to Israel for International Leadership Seminar in Israel (ILSI) and a multitude of BBYO Passport adventure and travel opportunities. Click the video to see a highlight from these unforgettable experiences in Israel.
“Spending time in Israel, I truly felt more connected to my Jewish identity. I made such amazing friendships on this trip and feel so grateful I had the opportunity to go to Israel with other teens.”
— Sara T., BBYO Nassau Suffolk Region
OUR LEADERSHIP
FY2021 BOARD oF DIRECTORS OFFICERS
Ruth Suzman, Board Chair
Walter Solomon, Past Chair
Lois Kahn-Claar, Vice Chair
Craig Weiss, Vice Chair and Treasurer
David Brown, Secretary
Matthew Grossman, Chief Executive Officer
FY2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jonathan Anschell
Jay Bernhardt
Laurie Blitzer
Ben Cohen
Rachel Hoffer
Adean Golub
Andy Gutman
Lee Kohrman
Courtney Mizel
Ruth Perlman
Estee Portnoy
David Rittberg
Marc Saperstein
Stacy Schusterman
Leora Zabusky
Maya Zucker
96TH GRAND BOARD oF tHE ALEPH ZADIK ALEPH
Grand Aleph Godol: Ben Cohen
Central Region West
Grand Aleph S'gan: Jared Wilen
South Jersey Region
Grand Aleph Moreh: Chase Flagel
Greater Atlanta Region
Grand Aleph Mazkir: Berk Eraltan
BBYO Turkey
Grand Aleph Shaliach: Daniel Pearlman
Eastern Region: North Carolina Council
Grand Aleph Gizbor: Jake Lazar
Rocky Mountain Region
76TH INTERNATIONAL BOARD oF tHE B’NAI BRITH GIRLS
Anita M. Perlman International N'siah: Maya Zucker
Greater Jersey Hudson River Region: Central Council
International S'ganit: Abbie Johnson
Evergreen Region
International Aym HaChaverot: Elana Rubanenko
Ohio Northern Region
International Mazkirah: Zoe Sher
Mid-America Region: Kansas City Council
International Sh'licha: Kelly Fagel
Great Midwest Region
International Gizborit: Emma Rosman
Northern Region East: Northern Virginia Council
