BBYO Hosts Action-Packed Activities & Convention

The Greater Atlanta Region BBYO will host its new member convention this month, from Oct. 21-23. Freshmen at high schools across metro Atlanta will learn about the traditions and rituals of the almost 100-year-old organization during sessions throughout the weekend.

According to Abby Lesorgen, senior regional director of the Greater Atlanta Region of BBYO, Atlanta is one of the top five largest regions in the 70,000+ member, international organization. Here in Atlanta, there are 1,000 teen members in 11 B’nai B’rith Girls (BBG) and Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) chapters. Planners expect 150 new members to be part of the upcoming convention. In addition to the new members, 14 regional board members and two representatives from each chapter will attend.

Greater Atlanta BBYO Regional Board together at the installation of officers.

“BBYO is steeped in tradition, and this weekend is the best way for our newest members to get a taste of what the BBYO is all about in the shortest amount of time,” said Lesorgen.

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Attendees will have an opportunity to meet other teens, as well as spend time with members of their specific chapters.

Several activities have been planned to facilitate bonding and new friendships. Past conventions have included rock painting, creating chapter-themed friendship bracelets and participating in inter-chapter sports. There will also be unstructured time during the weekend to encourage conversations and connection among the participants.

Greater Atlanta Aleph Zadik Aleph chapter presidents, or “Godolim,” gather at the Leadership Training Institute.

On the final day of the convention, all 11 chapters will come together for a regional business meeting. Programming ideas will be discussed and plans for upcoming events finalized. The weekend will conclude with a friendship circle, providing an opportunity for the teens to highlight the convention’s most special moments and recognize their new connections.

Following the convention, BBYO will offer Young Atlanta Leadership Lessons (YALL) to all members. The program is held on a succession of 10 Wednesdays from November through March and helps hone the skills needed for members to become successful leaders. Each session is led by a different set of Greater Atlanta BBYO regional board members or guest presenters, and covers topics including program planning, communication, fundraising, Jewish enrichment, community service, member recruitment, retention, and leadership values. Participants will use the skills they acquire to plan and implement regional programs at the spring convention.

Reece B. and Noa Y. led Havdalah services at the most recent BBYO convention.

BBYO members will be busy during the 2022-23 school year with a full array of community service, social and athletic events. In the past, members have donated school supplies to fill backpacks, donated canned goods to food pantries and written letters to senior citizens. A winter basketball league is popular, and includes six regular games, playoffs, and a jersey for each participant. There are also Zumba classes and a flag football league.

There will be three regional conventions held during the 2022-23 school year, a global Shabbat in December at Temple Sinai and an international convention held in Dallas during Presidents’ Day weekend. According to Lesorgen, “Atlanta always has one of the largest delegations at this convention.” Planners expect 3,000 teens from 50 countries at this year’s event.

“BBYO provides real life experiences for teens, enabling them to develop leadership, interpersonal, and organizational skills that they can take into college and the future. Our teens are well-rounded leaders who will make a difference in their communities,” said Lesorgen.