If you asked me to name the single biggest force shaping who I am today, I wouldn’t hesitate to say it’s BBYO. I say it all the time, but it’s true: without BBYO, I wouldn’t be the leader, the friend, or even the Jewish person I am now. What started as a small group I nervously joined sophomore year has become the foundation for almost every part of my life.

Before BBYO, my Judaism felt… fuzzy. I knew the holidays and traditions, but I didn’t really understand what being Jewish meant to me. That all changed at CLTC 2 in 2024. I remember sitting in one of our Judaic discussions surrounded by teens from all over the world, realizing that Judaism isn’t one rigid path; it's a spectrum.

Listening to everyone and how they connect to Judaism and their values made me see that Judaism can be woven into everyday life, like in how we treat people, how we handle challenges, and even how we show up for our communities.

That experience didn’t just strengthen my Jewish identity; it made me more open-minded. I learned that there isn’t one “correct” way to be Jewish, and that mindset has carried into every part of my life.

BBYO also forced me to do something I never expected: talk to people. Actual people.

Programs pushed me out of that shell fast. Icebreaker games, partner discussions, leadership circles, before I knew it, I was walking into rooms full of people I didn’t know and leaving with friends from both near and far.

Regional conventions taught me how to navigate big groups; IC showed me how huge our Jewish teen world really is. Meeting people with different backgrounds and opinions made me more aware, more empathetic, and, honestly, more confident in myself.

Leadership is one of those things that BBYO sneaks up on you with. First, you’re helping set up snacks at a chapter program, and suddenly you’re planning full events, giving speeches, and sending out reminder texts like a mini-adult.

I became a stronger public speaker by doing it so many times that my nerves didn’t get the vote anymore. I learned how to think on the spot. like when a program activity failed, and I had five seconds to invent a new plan, or when I had to hype up a room that was not in the mood

Running for board was another huge turning point. Even when I lost, I walked away with more than I expected: thicker skin, better writing from crafting speeches, and a real understanding of what leadership actually takes. It’s not just titles; it’s effort, vision, and the courage to step up even when you’re scared.

I still have time left in BBYO, but I already know the lessons will stay with me long after I graduate. I’ve learned how to communicate better, how to plan events, how to connect with people, and how to live out my Jewish values in everyday moments.

BBYO didn’t just give me memories. It gave me direction. It gave me a community. It gave me.

And for that, I’ll carry these lessons proudly, wherever I go next.