Updates from Naples and Fort Myers BBYO

By Cayla Schreier, BBYO Southwest Coordinator

Although March was a quieter month for Naples BBYO due to SAT testing and spring break, the teens were able to meet with one another several times to socialize and practice Tikkun Olam with their peers and other members of the local Jewish community.

On Tuesday, March 11, the teens participated in Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties’ Purim celebration by delivering Purim Shalach Manot to elderly Jewish residents at an assisted living facility in Bonita Springs. The teens were able to bring Purim joy as they connected with the Jewish residents they met. The Shalach Manot goodie bags contained handwritten cards from young Jewish children in our local community, juice, trail mix, and of course, the best part, delicious hamantaschen. Thank you for including Naples BBYO in such a wonderful Tikkun Olam event.

On Sunday, March 16, the teens went to Cone 06 Pottery Painting Studio to express their creativity by designing and painting pottery pieces. The teens each chose a specific pottery item to paint and put their artistic skills and imagination to work. Each teen painted unique pieces and is excited to retrieve their pottery soon.

Naples BBYO attended the North Florida Region’s Spring Regional Convention between March 28 and March 30, connecting with BBYO friends from across the North Florida Region while celebrating Shabbat, Havdalah and participating in regional elections.

The NFR teens had the opportunity to hear from Lior Shitrit, a 21-year-old survivor of the Oct. 7, 2023. attack at the Nova Festival. Shitrit shared his personal story, recounting his escape from the festival and subsequent drive to a nearby Kibbutz, where he and many others were attacked by Hamas terrorists. In a small, confined safe room, Shitrit hid with more than two dozen others while under attack, offering aid to a fellow Israeli who had been injured by the terrorists. Despite the immense personal tragedy of losing his best friend, Guy, in the attacks, Shitrit has dedicated himself to educating audiences across the United States about the horrors of Oct. 7, 2023, ensuring that the stories of those impacted are heard and remembered. We were grateful for the opportunity to hear his story and remain committed to spreading the truth about what happened on that fateful day.

We hope you all have a wonderful summer. Stay safe and see you in the fall!

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 8th through 12th 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 who has 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 at @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.