BBYO has impacted my life. Serving on both chapter and regional boards has taught me incredible leadership skills that have shaped me into the person I am and ignited my passion for volunteering. So when deciding which BBYO summer program to attend this year, the choice was obvious: Project Impact.
At BBYO’s International Convention 2009, held in February, members launched a brand-new initiative called Stand Up. I’m excited about the program because it tells teens to reach out to their communities and stand up for what they believe in. The initiative encourages teens to make a change in people’s lives and better the communities in which they live.
Two years ago, an idea was born in the Knoxville, Tenn., B’nai B’rith Girls (BBG) chapter, which is the female branch of BBYO. “Wouldn’t it be amazing if we planned a community-wide fundraiser dinner for Darfur?” we thought.
When I found out that the Wisconsin leg of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure breast cancer walk was being held on Rosh Hashanah, I was really disappointed. Soon, the girls in my local BBYO chapter and I learned that other people in the Jewish community were also upset by this. We took it upon ourselves to organize a walk for breast cancer that the whole community could participate in, especially the Jewish community, who missed out on the first walk. So, the Eden B'nai Brith Girls of Wisconsin Region BBYO organized a Jewish Walk for Breast Cancer on October 22, 2006.
Israel's war with Lebanon may seem like old news, but the damage is still fresh.
They hid it well. The houses looked normal, restaurants were full, and children played in the street after school. People smiled and were quick to reminisce about good times. Not a hint of bitterness could be found in their voices.
