AZA, and soon after BBG, were founded with a vision of engaging and supporting Jewish life in communities around the world. Since 1927, we've been international in our reach, and today we count chapters in 60 countries. Strengthening Jewish communities of all sizes and kinds is an AZA and BBG priority and a Jewish value. It is our obligation to uphold Jewish life and tradition, and our honor to share the AZA and BBG platform around the world to ensure the continuity of our people.
Since our founding in Omaha, Nebraska in May 1924, AZA and BBG have expanded into hundreds of chapters divided over 40 regions across the United States and Canada. The first chapter in Canada was founded in Calgary, Alberta on December 1926.
BBYO’s first chapters in Latin America started in the early 1950s with the founding of AZA in Mexico City. BBYO Argentina, founded in 2012, is home to our largest membership in Latin America. Today, BBYO has a presence in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Uruguay.
Since the founding of the first AZA chapter in Leeds in March 1940, the love of AZA and BBG across Western Europe has only continued to grow. After expanding to cover most of the United Kingdom, BBYO established its first AZA chapter in Paris, France in January 1945. Today, BBYO has a presence in Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and The United Kingdom.
BBYO has had a presence in Eastern Europe since 1936, when the first chapter outside of North America was established in Sofia, Bulgaria. While the size of the Jewish communities are smaller in Eastern Europe, our chapters thrive and continue to grow across the region. Today, BBYO has a presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Turkey.
BBYO's community in the Former Soviet Union (FSU) is known as JDC's Active Jewish Teens (AJT) with clubs spanning from Kiev to Bishkek. JDC's AJT was founded in 2013 through a joint effort with BBYO and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). AJT reaches thousands of teens across the FSU led by their governing body, the AJT Parliament. JDC's Active Jewish Teens is present in Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, and Ukraine.
BBYO is a proud partner of Maccabi World Union in Israel. AZA and BBG work hand-in-hand with Maccabi World Union's youth Movement, Maccabi Tzair. Maccabi Tzair has dozens of youth clubs across the country that are led by the Haganah. Teens from Israel are plugged into BBYO experiences year-round through our summer camps, trips to Israel, Movement initiatives, and more.
BBYO has a growing presence in the Middle East and recently launched in Morocco in 2021 and United Arab Emirates in 2024.
BBYO’s presence in Africa started in April 1941 with the 76 charter members of Maimonidies AZA in Cairo, Egypt. AZA and BBG continued to grow across Africa in 1961 with the founding of an AZA chapter in Johannesburg. Today, BBYO has a presence in Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa.
In June 1941, a group of Alephs were installed into the first chapter in Asia in Shanghai, China. BBYO has had a resurgence in the region after a few decades of dormancy. Today, BBYO has a presence in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.
Since 1948, BBYO has had a storied history in Australia stretching from Sydney to Melbourne. In recent years, chapters have flourished and brought a new renaissance of AZA and BBG to the region. Today, BBYO has a presence in Australia and New Zealand.
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cuba
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lithuania
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Netherlands
North Macedonia
Norway
Panama
Poland
Puerto Rico
Romania
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Albania
Brazil
Costa Rica
Curaçao
Malta
New Zealand
Peru
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Argentina
Asia Pacific
Australia
Austria
Balkans
Big Apple
Boarding Schools
Bulgaria
Canada Pacific
Central America
Central Region West
Chile
Connecticut Valley
Delta
Eastern: North Carolina
Eastern: Southeast
Eastern: Virginia
Estonia
Evergreen
France
Germany
Gold Coast
Great Midwest
Greater Atlanta
Greater Jersey: Central
Greater Jersey: Northern
Hawaii
Hudson Valley
Hungary
Ireland
Israel: Maccabi Tzair
Italy
JDC's Active Jewish Teens
Kentucky Indiana Ohio
Keystone Mountain
Lake Ontario
Latvia
Liberty
Lithuania
Lonestar
Manhattan
Mexico
Miami
Michigan
Mid-America: Kansas City
Mid-America: North Star
Mid-America: Omaha
Mid-America: St. Louis
Montreal
Morocco
Mountain
Nassau Suffolk
New England
Nordics
North Florida
North Texas Oklahoma
Northern Region East: Baltimore
Northern Region East: DC
Northern Region East: Northern Virginia
Northwest Canada
Ohio Northern
Pacific Western
Poland
Puerto Rico
Red River
Rocky Mountain
Romania
Slovakia
South Africa
South Jersey
Spain
Switzerland
The Netherlands
Turkey
Uganda & Kenya
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Wisconsin
In 2019, dedicated alumni Lewis and Sandy Schneider launched a visionary campaign to ensure that every Jewish teen has access to the friendships and leadership skills that BBYO offers. Called the For Every Jewish Teen (FEJT) Campaign, this campaign has a special focus on Jewish teens who live in small, medium, and rural communities, as well as unique locations like military bases and boarding schools.
Since the establishment of the For Every Jewish Teen Campaign, over 800 teens who may have not otherwise had opportunities to participate in Jewish life have become members of BBYO, and over 1,500 teens have participated in local BBYO programs supported by the campaign.
Albany, NY
Appleton, WI
Ashland, OR
Aspen, CO
Athens, GA
Augusta, GA
Aventura, FL
Binghamton, NY
Birmingham, AL
Boise, ID
Boulder, CO
Charleston, SC
Colorado Springs, CO
Columbia, SC
Corvallis, OR
El Paso, TX
Eugene, OR
Fort Collins, CO
Fort Worth, TX
Gainesville, FL
Greenville, SC
Maui, HI
New Orleans, LA
Oklahoma City, OK
Park City, UT
Portland, ME
Princeton, NJ
Reno, NV
Rochester, NY
Sacramento, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
San Juan, PR
Savannah, GA
Sioux City, SD
Spokane, WA
St. Paul, MN
Steamboat Springs, CO
Sun Valley, ID
Syracuse, NY
Tacoma, WA
Tahoe, CA
Tampa, FL
Virtual Boarding School
Wilmington, NC
Alburquerque, NM
Columbia Gorge, OR
BBYO as an independent organization, has rebuilt and reestablished itself in many of our communities outside of North America. We are grateful to our global partners for joining our efforts to ensure Jewish teen life is vibrant and sustained for generations to come.
There are important dates to keep in mind when prioritizing global connectivity. These dates include special Ambassadors missions, special exchanges, and signature global convening moments.
Explore the Calendar
Global Ambassadors Week
February 5/8-16, 2026
Global Ambassadors Week is the pre-conference for all International Delegates attending BBYO International Convention.
Learn MoreBy infusing Israel into your community's programming, you may be eligible for the highly esteemed AZA and BBG International Award listed below.
Share your chapter's ISF fundraisers, how much you've raised, and apply for ISF Clubs via this form.
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Resource
After October 7th, we were reminded of the crucial role and profound significance of community for Jewish teens. BBYO can serve as the place for teens to have conversations, process information and ask questions without judgment. Our aim is to create an environment where every teen feels confident to participate, learn, and grow.
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Use these slides to get educated or educate others about the Aleph Zadik Aleph and B'nai B'rith Girls.
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Share your chapter's ISF fundraisers, how much you've raised, and apply for ISF Clubs via this form.
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Utilize these design templates to elevate your Global Shabbat promotion and hype.
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Learn the basics about the Aleph Zadik Aleph and B'nai B'rith Girls.
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Request a video from a member of the Grand or International Boards to celebrate, surprise, or energize your community.
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Understand why we run Movement Initiatives and how it ties to our year-round MRIHA strategy.
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Utilize these design templates to elevate your #givingBBYOday fundraising promotion and hype.
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