Judaism teaches and obligates us to support those amongst us in need. Rooted in Jewish values and BBYO tradition, Stand UP is how we practice tikkun olam — the act of repairing of the world — by giving back to our communities. This initiative empowers you to identify a cause that you're passionate about and develop your own campaigns, partnerships, and ongoing programs. Let's be a generation of self-aware, motivated change agents and make our local community and the world better places for all.
Stand UP is a priority because of Alephs and BBGs just like you, who cared deeply about building a better world and using AZA and BBG as a platform to do so. Launched during the 2009-2010 programming year, Stand UP encourages members, chapters, and regions to personalize their service efforts to reflect the causes and issues that matter most to them.
Stand UP is more than just direct service. We look at Stand UP through the lens of SPACE, which stands for Service, Philanthropy, Advocacy, Community Organizing, and Entrepreneurship. When you select a Stand UP cause, we want you to consider all of the ways you can make an impact.
Service is about volunteering our time to benefit a cause in a direct or "hands-on" way. Common examples of direct service include cleaning up a park, working at a food bank, or visiting a children's hospital.
Find an organization for your chapter to partner with and see what ongoing support they need. Build an army of volunteers in your community to participate in direct service with the organization on a regular basis.
By giving, we can make a huge difference to the people and organizations we support. While we all come from different socio-economic backgrounds, we all are able to give something. As Anne Frank once wrote, "no one ever became poor from giving."
Incorporate philanthropy into your Stand UP effort by hosting fundraisers like bake sales, ticketed dances, or restaurant profit-shares. Capitalize on your major convening moments throughout the semester for collection drives, and work with your Stand UP cause organization to truly fulfill their needs.
We are empowered to use our voices to make the change we hope to see in the world. Advocacy is about using information to achieve an action or influence change.
Advocate for your Stand UP cause by calling, meeting with, or writing (through letters, emails, and direct messages on social media) to elected officials; pushing businesses to change practices; and enlightening the general public to adopt new behaviors.
Community organizing is an inherent skill of any Aleph or BBG. This pillar focuses on bringing people together to take action in the pursuit of your shared Stand UP cause.
Implement community organizing efforts for your Stand UP cause by hosting rallies at your school, collecting signatures for petitions, planning community marches, or bringing people together for debate and discourse.
Just as entrepreneurs change the face of business, social entrepreneurs act as the change agents for society, seizing opportunities others miss. They improve systems, invent new approaches, and create solutions to change society for the better. This is all about finding ways to fix problems and taking the initiative to implement it on a large scale.
Bring entrepreneurship to your Stand UP cause by hosting a hack-a-thon or bringing in speakers to educate your community about the problem. With great education comes great ideas.
Stand UP causes can be selected for chapters, councils, regions, or countries every year, or for multiple years for a greater impact. This is an opportunity to choose a cause that truly reflects the interests of your members to ensure their ongoing interest and participation. In many ways, selecting and supporting a cause for your community will be like running a nonprofit with efforts throughout the year. The possibilities of what you can do with your Stand UP cause are endless.
P.S. Selecting a Stand UP cause is a great example of a piece of legislation you can bring to a business meeting.
There are important dates to keep in mind when prioritizing Stand UP. These dates include hands-on training opportunities, Movement mobilization moments, registration dates, and relevant programs that tie to service. Check back as new campaigns launch and calls, rallies, and event pop up.
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J-Serve: April 6, 2025
J-Serve is the International Day of Jewish Youth Service where Jewish teens worldwide amplify year-round efforts to make the world a better place.
By serving our communities, you may be eligible for the highly esteemed AZA and BBG International Awards listed below.
The Anita M. Perlman Stand UP Award honors individuals who have worked to Stand UP and better their community through consistent and quality service. Every member of AZA and BBG who actively participates in their chapter’s Stand UP campaign, excels in independent service work, and is regularly immersed in any efforts of service around the Five Models of SPACE (Service, Philanthropy, Advocacy, Community Organizing, or Social Entrepreneurship) is eligible to apply for this award.
ApplyThe BBYO Stand UP Gemilut Chasidim Chapter Award recognizes AZA, BBG, and BBYO chapters around the world that work to better their community through civic action. To ensure that our endeavors are well rounded, we utilize direct service, philanthropy, advocacy, community organizing, and social entrepreneurship (these 5 areas make up the SPACE model of service).
ApplyWant to keep learning? Explore more in the Toolbox!
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We hope this guide will power organic, teen-led activism and learning around racial justice. Here, you’ll find a curated set of service projects, fundraising opportunities, advocacy actions, and educational tools to help you take action against systemic racism.
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Since 2005, J-Serve has provided teens with a unique opportunity to band together through service as a united global network committed to fulfilling the Jewish values of gemilut chasidim, acts of loving kindness, tzedakah, just and charitable giving, and tikkun olam, the responsibility to repair the world. Use this resource to navigate the 5 steps to build a meaningful and memorable J-Serve.
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Understand why we run Movement Initiatives and how it ties to our year-round MRIHA strategy.
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The Anita M. Perlman Stand UP Award honors individuals who have worked to Stand UP and better their community through consistent and quality service. Every member of AZA and BBG who actively participates in their chapter’s Stand UP campaign, excels in independent service work, and is regularly immersed in any efforts of service around the Five Models of SPACE (Service, Philanthropy, Advocacy, Community Organizing, or Social Entrepreneurship) is eligible to apply for this award.
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This resource is a one stop shop for all things Jewish Enrichment resources, grants, and programs for this calendar year: 2024-2025.
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Utilize this outreach language to learn best practices in reaching out to any organization you want to work with.
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See how roles and responsibilities for J-Serve can be divided between board members, chairs, and general members.
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Find an organization that connects to your Stand UP cause.
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