T h e N e w s pa p e r o f A z a & B B G
Making Change in the Big Easy By Daniel Fanaroff, Northern Region East – DC Council Last November, hundreds of BBYO teens gathered in New Orleans to participate in the Panim el Panim BIG EASY Summit. While there, the teens were able to participate in hands-on activities throughout the city, as well as attend the Jewish Federation of North America’s General Assembly. Jewish teens were joined by 4,000 of their peers from around the country at the opening plenary, where keynote speaker Vice President Joe Biden discussed the importance of environmental advocacy and applauded the Jewish community for its consistent activism over the past decade. Another speaker at the conference, Simon Greer of the Jewish Funds for Justice, who discussed the work his organization has done throughout the New Orleans area. Attendants experienced the struggle of reconstructing New Orleans first hand, by pulling weeds in local fields and barren housing lots in the Ninth Ward as well as witnessing the damage the BP oil spill took on the Gulf of Mexico.
One of the attendants, International Shlicha Samantha Levinson, felt a great impact from her experience in the ninth ward. “Cleaning the lower Ninth Ward was definitely a highlight of the trip because we actually saw how big an impact we were making and residents of the area came to thank us for what we were doing,’ said Levinson. “They told us that many people forget about Katrina and that they are still dealing with the aftermath and it reassured them to see the Jewish community coming and helping out.” The Big EASY Jewish Teen Summit on the Environment was the first-ever teen summit in conjunction with the Jewish Federations’ of North America’s General Assembly. It provided a substantial opportunity for teens to improve our environment, gain hands-on experience and practice Tikkun Olam. To learn more about upcoming Panim el Panim issue summits, please visit www.bbyo.org/pep.
StandUP By Nate Strauss, Michigan Region When you finish reading this sentence, please stand up! You might think you’ll look out of place, but just do it. Not only will your friends stand up with you, all of BBYO will StandUP too! Now I’m not talking about getting up off your chair, I’m talking about taking a stand for something you believe in. Engage your friends, your chapters, your regions, and even International BBYO. Advocate for your cause, do community service for your issue, and even raise money and donate it. All across North America, thousands of teens are standing up for their causes and speaking out for what they believe in. Created to involve teens in their local communities, StandUP has encouraged and pushed teens to realize that they have a voice and that they can change the world. This idea was
first promoted at IC 2009 in New Jersey where it quickly took off. Regions began voting on causes in which to engage. Community service was completed, and the word spread.
for people with special needs. Michigan Region is standing up for Kids With Cancer. CLTC 5 2010 Stood Up for Dystonia Research.
Now in its second year of existence, StandUP has been brought to new heights. Four teens from across the Order were selected to be the first ever StandUP Recording Chairs as a “All across North America, thousands of part of the International This initiative has added a teens are standing up for their causes Chair Network. These more meaningful aspect teens work with the to AZA’s and BBG’s Social and speaking out for what they believe International Office, the Action programming in. Created to involve teens in their local International Mazkirim, folds. Before StandUP, each other to help communities, Stand Up has been an and teens had a harder time strengthen Regional planning social action encouragement and that extra push for StandUP causes. programs because there International StandUP teens to realize that they have a voice Recording Chairman was very little direction to the concept. and that they can change the world.” Josh Morof, of Michigan Region, can’t believe StandUP is not only being how StandUP has taken celebrated regionally; international Gold Coast stands up for poverty. off. As a Regional Shaliach, Josh efforts are shining through North Carolina Council Eastern was incredibly instrumental in everyday. Regions are hosting Region supports children in need. choosing his region’s cause. “After events all over the country. Multiple states and regions are seeing other regions’ passions Houston Teens in Lonestar Region hosting successful efforts. and desires to change the world, it BBYO are standing up for inclusion makes me excited to see where our
social action endeavors will go on the international level!” said Morof. Last year at IC, there was a spirit day for regions to show off their causes. Who knows how BBYO will celebrate StandUP this year, but make sure you are a part of it!