Updates from Naples and Fort Myers BBYO

By Cayla Schreier, BBYO Southwest Coordinator

Our teens officially kicked off their spring term on Saturday, Feb. 8, by attending a hockey game. That night, the 16 teens watched the Florida Everblades take on the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at Hertz arena. The BBG’s bonded with their prospects while sitting together and talking about school and other hobbies. The AZA’s bonded over the three ensuing fights between the hockey players.

Hosted by Jonah Miller, the AZA’s watched the Super Bowl game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 9. They enjoyed watching the game together, eating delicious snacks, and welcoming the Philadelphia Eagles as the new 2025 Super Bowl champions.

The BBGs hosted a Galentine’s Day party at the BBYO Lounge on Sunday, Feb. 16. The girls made DIY sugar scrubs while watching a rom-com and eating delicious sweets.

Two of our teens, Adam Berman and Kendal Massie, attended BBYO’s International Convention Feb. 13-17 in Denver, Colorado. They were able to connect with other BBYO teens from across the country and world while learning leadership skills and celebrating Shabbat.

We hope you all have a nice, easy Passover holiday with your friends and family.

Upcoming events

More details on all upcoming events to follow. Please keep an eye out for emails regarding all upcoming Naples and Fort Myers BBYO events.

What is BBYO?

BBYO is a diverse and inclusive Jewish youth group to encourage Jewish teens to become more immersed and interested in meaningful Jewish activities and programs. This organization accepts Jewish teens attending eighth through twelfth grades of all backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender, race, denominational affiliation or socioeconomic status. BBYO currently reaches over 70,000 teens worldwide, with participants in over 60 countries and hundreds of chapters across the United States.

Supporting our teenage Jewish community

It is crucial to engage teens post-B’nai Mitzvah age in Jewish activities. Having teens get involved in BBYO and be eager to create and confidently continue their own Jewish community within their greater Jewish communities is critical to our future.

The BBYO chapter of Naples has entered its 11th year of partnership with Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, Temple Shalom, Chabad of Naples and Beth Tikvah. Each organization provides financial support, volunteers and community involvement opportunities for the BBYO teens. We thank each and every one of our BBYO Alum, friends and other supporters for making this a safe and positive environment for the teens of BBYO Naples and Fort Myers.

If you know of someone with a teen who might like to join BBYO Naples or Fort Myers or know of someone who may want to be an advisor to our chapters, please email me at cschreier@bbyo.org. You can also follow us on Instagram @ Mishpacha_BBG and @Negevaza.

Scholarships to attend BBYO conventions and summer programs are available through both Jewish Federation of Greater Naples and the Temple Shalom Men’s Club. Please contact me for more information on scholarships. If you are a BBYO Alum and would like to be included in our Friends and Alumni of BBYO mailing list, please email us at mjs0821@aol.com.