August XX

You’re all invited to keep an eye on the action via the August Execs Body Blog:
http://bbyo.org/augustexecs10.
The blog will be updated throughout the conference with all handouts, materials, agendas and business meeting items. This year’s business agendas are exceptionally full of motions and resolutions that can serve to further strengthen BBYO’s position as the premier Jewish movement serving teens worldwide.

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August XX
by Lexi Knopf and Josh Winik

International Exces was the weekend of August 12^th to the 15^th. 84 top leaders of our international order came together to increase our knowledge on leadership and of course, see friends from summer programs. We started off the weekend by getting to know our international counterparts through fun and exciting ice breakers. Along with participating in the installations of the international board, we listened to Arielle Braude and Jeremy Sherman, our international Godol and N’siah, give an address about pushing us to our boiling point and empowering us for the year ahead.

On Friday we started off the morning learning about the new efforts our organization is working toward to help our order improve. We focused on StandUp and talked about expanding the Jewish teen experience out of our country and into Bulgaria, Turkey, Argentina, Serbia and other places. We then had a joint business meeting were we passed different motions ranging from joining forces with other youth groups, in supporting the release of Gilad Shalit to pledging to raise over $20,000 for Jewish teens outside of North America.

Friday night we all came together to start Kabbalat Shabbat and then separated into AZA’s and BBG’s. We were then able to choose if we wanted to have a song session or story telling for the rest of Friday night.

Saturday we had services and had programs that made us look at our own regions with our counterparts. We analyzed our regions programming and how it affects our membership, and used the data to come up with strategies on how to improve NER. We then had separate business meeting where we talked about logistics for BBG/AZA Shabbat. We finished the night with Havdallah and had separates in the heart of D.C by the monuments.

It was very helpful to be with all the other regional Nisiot and Gidolim because we were able to discuss our regions together and take things from each other to bring back home and improve our own regions. Ending the weekend with separates session and spirit, right in the middle of city, was special because it showed us how great it is that we are able to practice Judaism so freely. BBYO is such an amazing place to do that.

CLTC 4 2010... AMAZING!

Attending CLTC was without a doubt the best part of my summer! I attended Chapter Leadership Training Conference at the American Hebrew Academy in Greensboro, NC. While spending the most amazing twelve days of my life there, I learned leadership skills and creative programming that I will be able to share with my chapter. The skills learned at CLTC will be beneficial not only in BBYO chapters but also in the real world. All of the leadership skills were taught through interactive programming, and these hands-on experiences were always challenging and fun. CLTC teaches the history of BBYO, and it opens the door for teens to really get involved and make an impact in this movement. Most importantly, I learned a lot about BBYO and becoming a leader, while having the time of my life.

At CLTC everyone was welcoming and friendly, and by the twelfth day we all felt like we had known each other for years. Strong bonds were formed due to our common love for BBYO. We all got the experience of working together towards a common goal. It was a great feeling to have accomplished something at the end of each day. Meeting BBYO teens from all over the country was a great experience, and I was able to learn a lot from them by talking about how their chapters work compared to ours. CLTC was inspiring and can really impact a person’s life. I was able to experience so many things for the first time. I learned a lot about myself including my strengths, weaknesses, values, and who I want to become.

CLTC helps a person to gain confidence to try new things and puts teens in the mindset to believe in themselves. There were many times during the session when I thought to myself “it doesn’t get any better than this.” Everyone joining together for song sessions, spirit, and inductions into the International Order of BBYO are some of my favorite memories. During all three of these instances there was a unique and special feeling among the group of teens that is indescribable. Overall, the campus was beautiful, the lessons were valuable, the programs were inspiring, the friendships were strong, and the memories will never be forgotten.

by Lindsay Goodman of LeOlum BBG

Tradition, Tradition badadadada Tradition!

On Saturday May 1^st, LeOlum BBG hosted an overnight that was themed around both Jewish and BBG traditions. Sixteen girls attended and everyone had a great time. We had a relay race, where each station was a different Jewish tradition. Also, we discussed the differences between Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox Jews. At the event we also made our own candles because candles play a big role in both Jewish and BBG traditions. We also went over all the chapter cheers and discussed how important it is to be aware of all different types of traditions. The event was extremely successful and meaningful for everyone who attended.
~Leah Belogolovsky

What's Up in NER?

SPRING CONVENTION:

Want to learn how to fly? Want to save the world on Jew at a time? Then come join NER for our Superhero Spring Convention!

Date: May 14-18, 2010
Where: Camp Jori
Cost:
-Early Registrations (from 3/1-4/1)- $175
-Regular Registration (4/1-4/26)- $190
-Late Registration (4/26-5/7)- $235

Register on www.b-linked.org
For more information contact Malki at 617-581-6804 or at mkarkowsky@bbyo.org


Bus Schedule:

Pick Up (5/14):
Mass:
3:30 pm Leventhal-Sidman JCC
4:15 pm Shaw’s in Sharon

RI:
4:00 pm RIJCC
4:30 pm Temple Sinai

Arrival (5/16):
Mass:
3:30 pm Shaw’s in Sharon
4:00 pm Leventhal-Sidman JCC

RI:
2:45 pm Temple Sinai
3:30 pm RI JCC


Packing List:
Sleeping bag, pillow, towel, face/hand towel, AZA or BBG pin, toiletries, flashlight, nice outfit for Friday night, rain gear (just in case), spirit gear, and clothing for Saturday and Sunday that can get dirty.

Attention:
Limited number of need-based scholarships are available through the region, please be in touch with Malki for an application. Also, check with your chapters for any other available scholarships.

J-SERVE 2010

Sunday, April 25, 2010
9-4PM

Ford School in Lynn, MA

Ford School House Rock

NER BBYO and the North Shore Teen Initiative want you to help us with some renovations at the Ford School in Lynn. We will be 1) building a greenhouse 2) creating a small koi pond adjacent to their garden 3) building "players benches" for their "parking-lot baseball diamond" 4) beautifying and building around a picnic area 5) creating a mural along the ramp of the entrance-way 6) bringing in some outdoor low level playground pieces.

This is a HUGE task . . . and we need a BIG turnout.

Check it out on Facebook

NER Basketball Tournament This Weekend

Date:	Saturday, March 27, 2010
Time:	8:30pm - 11:30pm
Location:	Rhode Island JCC

Basketball?
Check.
Pizza?
Check.
Competition?
Check.
A whole lot of fun?
No question; Check.
New England Region BBYO's Annual basketball tournament is quickly approaching. Come by with a team, play with one that's already been organized or just come to meet everyone.
Contact Eli Keimach at the_muffin_man_22@yahoo.com or (508) 468-6678 with any questions

TAKING IT TO THE STREETS

There are various cultures that sprang up or exist only on the streets; now’s your chance to explore them. There will be a bus only for Massachusetts. January 29 3:00 pm – pick-up Leventhal-Sidman JCC; 333 Nahanton St. Newton, MA 3:45 pm – pick-up Shaw’s in Sharon; 780 South Main St. Sharon, MA January 31 2:45 drop-off at Shaw’s in Sharon 3:30 drop-off at Leventhal-Sidman JCC For people coming from Rhode Island please be dropped off at the hotel at 4:30 pm on 1/ 29, and be picked up at 2:00 pm on Sunday the 31st Date: January 29-31, 2010 Where: Sheraton Providence Hotel; 1850 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886 Cost: - Regular cost: $215 (if you register 12/8-1/4) - Late registration cost: $250 ( if you register1/4-2/20) Register on www.b-linked.org Formore information contact Malki at 617-581-6804 or at mkarkowsky@bbyo.org

BBYO Wins “Best Large Nonprofit” in Jewish Choice Awards

November 30, 2009

BBYO is excited to announce that it has won the “Best Large Nonprofit Award” in the South category (based on headquarter’s location) as part of the inaugural Jewish Choice Awards, sponsored by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user-generated ratings and reviews of nonprofits, Jewish Funders Network, JTA, Natan, Slingshot Fund, Jewish Jumpstart, Upstart Bay Area, JGooders.com, and Guidestar.

Over the course of the Jewish Choice Awards, more than 103,000 people visited the GreatNonprofits Web site, and almost 4000 reviews were posted about more than 180 nonprofits serving youth. This is the first ever list providing reviews of Jewish nonprofits by those who have actually experienced their work. The contest, held during October and November in honor of the Jewish High Holidays, asked people to submit reviews and ratings about Jewish nonprofits. The results show the dynamic and cohesive nature of the Jewish community, as well as the emphasis being placed on engaging the next generation. These unique results will be helpful to donors and supporters looking to get involved.

“Through this first-ever list of top-rated Jewish nonprofits, you can see how some of these nonprofits are changing lives,” said Perla Ni, CEO and founder of GreatNonprofits. “Donors and volunteers who are interested in getting involved now see which nonprofits are really making a difference."

Thank you to everyone who reviewed BBYO!

The entire list of winners and nonprofits reviewed is at http://greatnonprofits.org/jewish.

To read BBYO's reviews check out: http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/profile2/bbyo