Building from our roots: AZA, BBG AND BBYO CONNECT
“Starting high school is
rough. BBYO provides
the support needed
to thrive.”
— Charleston Senior and 49th Dixie Council Shaliach Benjamin Gilbert,
first teen ever selected for the National Volunteer of the Year award
from the American Lung Association
Sam Finn, Aleph in Fisher
AZA, BBYO Michigan
Region, participates in a
learning session at ILTC.
Through BBYO chapters — AZA for
high school boys and BBG for high
school girls — Jewish teens plan
and participate in social events,
community service projects and
other activities that develop their
leadership skills, confidence and
ties to Jewish life.
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During the 2012–13 school year, AZA
and BBG chapters grew to 550 across
North America and another 47 in other
countries, with total teen involvement
reaching 40,000. In Los Angeles, AZA
chapter Ema Shelcha AZA invited
chapter members and their dads
to a multi-generational camping
weekend. All Alephs, male members
of BBYO, explored ways that they
could be leaders within the chapter
whether through a Judaic, service or
traditional elected leadership role.
Working with the regional leaders in
attendance, they learned how they
could make a difference beyond
the reaches of their chapter and be
upstanding young men.