Thanksgiving is a time for us to sit back and reflect upon all that we are thankful for in life. To many Jewish teens across the world, BBYO is something to be grateful for. From chapter programs to International Convention, there is so much to love and learn from within this organization. I asked BBYO members from around the world why they were they were thankful for BBYO, and within their responses were common themes including Jewish identity, friendship, and self-discovery. Here are 15 of the best responses to make you feel some extra gratitude during this Thanksgiving season:
âIâm thankful for BBYO because it has helped me shape my Jewish Identity through immersive experiences, develop into a leader through the many different opportunities it provides, meet incredible people from amazing places, and itâs given me another place to call home.â âRebecca Barnholtz, Mid-America Region
âI am thankful for BBYO because this movement gives teens around the world a place to safely practice their Judaism. In many places, Jewish people cannot practice their religion openly, so BBYO creates a safe space to do exactly that. I come from a predominantly Catholic neighborhood with few Jewish families and BBYO has also given me the opportunity to connect with Jewish teens across the world.â âFarrah Fuld, Big Apple Region
âIâm thankful for BBYO because it made me proud to be Jewish, and it gave me friends from all around the world!â âAlison Stern, Great Midwest Region
âI am so thankful for BBYO because it has provided me with so much. From friends to memories to leadership opportunities, BBYO has made my life so much more exciting.â âHeather Saxe, Mountain Region
âIâm thankful for BBYO because of the people itâs introduced me to. The people that Iâve met and the bonds that Iâve made are truly unlike any other because theyâre founded upon a deeper connection that stems from the unity that BBYO and our Jewish faith creates. The friendships that come out of it are so strong and thatâs something that Iâll be thankful for years and years to come.â âBorana Somen, Big Apple Region
âI am thankful for BBYO because it has brought me happiness and everything I could ever ask for. I have learned to break out of my shell and learn leadership skills as well. Whenever I go to a regional, chapter, or international event I forget everything that worries me. I have made my best friends and I am happy to say that BBYO has made my life complete.â âDara Zeitz, South Jersey Region
âI am so thankful for BBYO because of the tremendous impact it has made on my life. BBYO has allowed me to expand my leadership skills, connect with my Judaism, and meet friends across the globe. Without all of these experiences, I wouldnât be who I am today.â âJulia Sisko, Pacific West Region
âI would like to say thank you to BBYO for helping me out in so many ways. Being involved in BBYO is the best thing that happened to me, and made these years so special. I got to learn so many new things, I met so many new people, I discovered new cultures and interests and I never stop exploring in BBYO.â âOgnjena RatkoviÄ, Balkans
âBBYO has introduced me to so many people and experiences that I could never have gotten anywhere else. It really shaped me into the person I am today and I am so thankful for that.â âEliza Faigin, Michigan Region
âBBYO introduced me to some of my very best friends who are the people who have helped me through my hardest times and always been there for me.â âMaya Siegmann, Michigan Region
âI am thankful for BBYO because it has allowed me to learn to be a leader. It has also allowed me to create friendships around the world.â âJenny Katz, North Texas Oklahoma Region
âBBYO has provided me with opportunities to grow and develop as a teen who is part of a relatively small local Jewish community. I now have so many people that I can talk to on a daily basis to ask for advice or just to catch up, in addition to the skills that I have learned, which are unique to BBYO.â âMatthew Buchalter, United Kingdom and Ireland Region
âIâm thankful for BBYO because of how it shaped me into a stronger, more confident person. BBYO has given me so much and I hope every Jewish teen is able to have as amazing an experience as I have had.â âAmi Lieberman, Great Midwest Region
âI'm thankful for BBYO because it has helped me to learn about myself both as a leader and as a person.â âAshler Faber, Cotton States Region
âBBYO gave me self-confidence and gave me a platform to make a change in the world.â âRoss Oginsky, Nassau Suffolk Region
Sarah Goldman is a BBG from Michigan Region.
All views expressed on content written for The Shofar represent the opinions and thoughts of the individual authors. The author biography represents the author at the time in which they were in BBYO.