Coming into this year, we couldn't have imagined just how much we would accomplish. From gathering in Washington, DC, for the inaugural retreat, we participated in roundtable discussions and built our game plan for the year. Over the summer, we covered all the bases at Perlman Camp, with each of us involved in the summer programs there! Then, after a fantastic August Exec in Fairfax, Virginia, the year officially went into full swing. Over the course of the fall term, we set out on three main missions: remembering October 7th and supporting counterparts in their home communities, building the biggest (AND BADDEST) #BBYOGlobalShabbat 2024 the Order has ever seen, and restructuring ILN roles to make each of these moments even stronger.

On October 7th, we remembered. Around October 7th, we built the initiative "United in Remembrance, Driven By Purpose." Collectively, the Order hosted over 50 programs honoring those who had fallen, calling for the release of the hostages, and providing needed reflection spaces for members. This moment, shrouded by the harsh realities of war, served as an opportunity for us to come together in strength. We also hosted a large Zoom call with the Explore Israel Coordinators and teens from the Maccabi Tzair Ambassador Program. The call had over 400 participants sign up and was a strong moment of community and peace.

Following October 7th, #BBYOGlobalShabbat was HUGE this year. Coming together, the movement hosted more than 150 programs throughout the weekend of December 13th and 14th. The theme this year, "Strength to Strength," was a strong reminder of the resilience of the Jewish people. Across the world, Shabbat programs focused on hosting speakers and song leaders while celebrating Jewish joy and strength over the past year. Reaching 38 countries, this Global Shabbat was truly global.

The growth and promotion of these initiatives can largely be attributed to the growth of ILN roles that we work with. At the beginning of the year, we set out to restructure the ILN team, bringing just over 20 people from across the movement into the core planning teams for these initiatives. The Stand UP Coordinator team was restructured to represent more regions and to ensure we bring as much hype into the spring term as possible. With J-Serve and a renewed push for service, this spring will be a monumental term for Stand UP and J-Serve. We also restructured the Explore Israel team, which now has members focused on the experience at IC, around October 7th, and Israel National Days. This structure will maximize the impact and promotion of these initiatives. Additionally, we rekindled our partnership with the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) to ensure we remain at the forefront of combating antisemitism in all its forms. In March, BBYO will send a delegation to the Never Is Now conference in NYC. If you want to apply to join the delegation, click this link. As part of this partnership, the Rise UP Taskforce will also lead our charge in the fight against antisemitism across the movement.

We have some exciting things lined up for the second half of the year. Firstly, with the help of our Stand UP Coordinators, we are rolling out an entirely new system for Stand UP that will culminate in our largest J-Serve to date! Across the movement, Stand UP currently functions in many different ways: some regions may fundraise for a cause, some may engage in occasional hands-on volunteering, and some may not engage with this initiative at all. We know that, as Jewish teen leaders, we must participate in Tikkun Olam, working to repair our world for the better. That is why this semester, we are creating a centralized system all regions can implement to make Stand UP the best it can be.

Our Stand UP campaign strategy is simple: just as a region's color, number, or mascot is part of its identity, so is its Stand UP cause. This initiative can be carried out by passing legislation at the beginning of the year to officially name a regional cause. We are encouraging chapters and regions to think BIG with their causes. We will no longer be tied to a specific organization but to a broader cause. (For example, instead of ASPCA, the cause would be animal welfare, and they could partner with the ASPCA for specific programs.) This will allow Stand UP to grow into a more extensive campaign rather than being limited to one program. Throughout the year, regions and chapters can host programs related to this idea—bringing in speakers, posting updates on social media, or organizing hands-on service projects. No matter how we get involved, it is crucial that we all Stand UP for the causes we support. This year-long effort will culminate in the largest J-Serve yet on April 6. Watch out at IC for some VERY exciting announcements about this year's J-Serve!

Shortly after JServe comes Israel National Days. This year, we are prioritizing balanced programming across three key days: Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), Yom HaZikaron (Israel's Memorial Day), and Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israel's Independence Day). Each of these three days will feature unique programming created by our incredible Israel National Days team, who will work to elevate visibility and success across the movement. Our goal is for each region to hold a program for at least one of these days. By working with counterparts on atmosphere, scripting, and inviting impactful speakers, we aim to create open spaces for reflection, sharing, and growth.

Our grand finale as the 36th International Sh'lichim comes with coordinating International Kallah. We could not be more excited and honored to lead this program that truly changed both our lives and helped us get to where we are now. Over the past few months, we have been working on putting together an incredible program for all participants. We have finalized a theme, which will be announced at Kallah, and are currently working on programming and inviting special guests. Much of our time has been spent on recruitment. This year, we WILL sell out Kallah, so if you are interested, sign up to secure your spot. Our current focus is reaching out to rising leaders and engaging Kallah alumni to hold information sessions. If you or anyone you know is interested in hosting a session or has questions about Kallah, contact us at shaliach@bbyo.org or shlicha@bbyo.org. We cannot wait to see you at Perlman this summer for the best Kallah yet!

‍