Dear BBG,

I don’t know where to start or where to end. Looking 5 years ago I really didn’t even know what those three letters stood for and now I can’t believe how 3 letters can have so much meaning.

BBG, you are the biggest representation of light.

The light from that candle when we are first welcomed to this sisterhood, the light in every meaningful Shabbat we celebrate together, the light in our eyes when we finally learn the choreography for Honor and Courage, the light of that separates program when we realize we’re surrounded by the right people, the light around that older member and mentor that we look up to, the light of that genuine hug as we ran for the same position as our best friend, the light in the tears we try to hide but are always met with understanding, the light in the way we celebrate each other’s wins as if they were our own, the light in the moments we step into leadership and realize we are capable, the light in every tradition passed down, carrying stories before us and beyond us, the light in knowing no matter where we go, we will always have a home in BBG, the light we blow after giving lives,

This journey is one of light, a light that guides us to growing as strong Jewish women, part of a worldwide sisterhood. But what makes this light so powerful is that it never belongs to just one of us. It is passed, constantly, from hand to hand. This light has shaped us. It has taught us how to stand tall in who we are, how to lead with courage even when we are unsure, how to hold space for others while still finding our own voice. And maybe the most beautiful part of all, is that this light doesn’t end. We carry it with us, into every room we walk into, into every community we build, into every future we dare to imagine.

Because once you have felt a light like this, you never forget it. Once you have been a part of something like this, you never stop being a part of it.

So BBG, thank you, for the light you gave us, for the light you helped us find within ourselves, and for the light we will continue to spread long after this chapter ends.

Submmitted with undying love for the unique light of BBG,

Merceedes Benzaquen