Those that have played a part in running for a leadership role within BBYO could agree that we often get caught up in the politics  and forget why we do it. This past year, I served as NFR’s 22nd Regional Aleph S’gan. Being a Junior on Regional Board is no easy task. Being surrounded by seniors can feel intimidating, but ultimately I worked harder than I could have imagined. I pushed myself, coordinated conventions, steered IC Havdalah for 5,000 Jewish teens, and led a team of counterparts. Ultimately, with every step I took this year, I knew what I wanted above all else was Regional Aleph Godol. Throughout my term, I wanted to be that person who welcomed every new Aleph to our region.

Watching the International Election Board packet drop in December, I was conflicted. I did not know what I wanted. I knew I could ultimately run for either position, but in the end I knew Regional Godol was what I wanted. I wanted to make an impact on NFR and help build the region that gave me everything.

The plane ride home from IC made me realize how much this election meant to me, and by the time I landed, I already had a rough draft of my platform and speech. The next day, the packet dropped, and it all felt so real this time. I could not believe it was now my turn to caucus for Godol, and so that night, I caucused.

Throughout the election process, the anxiety was real. The stress was real. But every time I felt overwhelmed, I had to ground myself in why I do BBYO. In reality, we do not join this organization because of elections or the positions. We do it because of the people we meet along the way.  I was able to remind myself of that and convention weekend came. Throughout the weekend it felt shocking that this moment was finally here.

Sunday morning, I woke up, put on my suit and pins, and walked into elections with confidence, pride, and strength. I answered my questions, presented my speech, and waited.

“Is there a question in the house?”

“Do we have a Godol in the house?”

“Yes, we have been successful in electing North Florida Region’s 23rd Regional Aleph Godol, and his name is Aleph Leo Gotlib, no emotion.”

I remember that moment feeling like a weight had been lifted off my chest. While we cannot make BBYO all about an election, because that is never the reason why we do it, that moment felt amazing. Knowing you worked for something for three years and finally achieved it is a feeling unlike any other.

Some tips I want to give:

• Whatever you put into this organization, you get out of it.
• Never let the stress of an election make you forget why you fell in love with BBYO in the first place.
• Be yourself. The people voting do not want a perfect speech or perfect answers; they want someone real.
• No matter what happens, every speech, every caucus, every late-night conversation, and every moment you spend putting yourself out there will shape you into a better leader.
• At the end of the day, titles come and go, but the people, memories, and impact you make will stay with you forever.

Because while being elected North Florida Region’s 23rd Regional Aleph Godol is one of the proudest moments of my life, the true reason I love this movement is, and always will be, the people who helped me get there.