4 years. 49 months. 213 weeks. 1,496 days. 35,912 hours. 2,155,200 minutes. 129,282,200 seconds.
That’s how long it’s been since my very first BBYO event: Osher BBG’s second semester Galentines kickoff. I only went because my mom signed me up and my camp friends were going. But my BBYO journey actually started way before that.

For those of you who don’t know, I definitely come from a BBYO family. My mom served on Atlanta Council’s board twice, as S’ganit and MIT mom, my dad was very involved in his region and served multiple terms as chapter Godol, and I have an aunt and three cousins who served on regional board. Eventually it was finally my turn. At the time, little 8th grade me was not too fond of listening to my mom and doing things she told me to do, so I very reluctantly went to that first event. But I am genuinely so grateful that I did.

My first NMC was actually here at High Harbor, and it was basically me, my five camp friends, and queen Emily E from Osher. I don’t remember much other than Chef Bae and Emily almost forcing me to run for regional MIT rep while I practically had a panic attack. Then SRC. The things I really remember are Gracie Sikora leading a shoe scavenger hunt where I had to take a picture with Aidan Kramer in a Grinch onesie, another activity where we made waffles, sitting across the table from Phoebe Kay, SRC being SkiRC for Osher, which might honestly be one of the greatest themes of all time, and of course Osher sweeping the convention. First ASC, I mostly remember feeling so special that I got Osher’s delegate vote at elections. That was also when Sophie Hershkowitz and my friendship really started to blossom, and I was so proud of her when she won regional N’siah.

Then came DiscoCon at the end of freshman year. After going to every event and convention possible, I jumped at the chance to run for chapter board. I caucused for S’ganit… but let’s just say I had absolutely no idea how election materials worked. My speech and platform were genuinely awful. So as expected, except not by me at the time, I lost. And I was crushed. But I got nominated for Sh’licha, accepted, and won… and if I’m being honest I was still pretty angry. At that point I barely went to synagogue, only liked the High Holidays because they meant skipping school, and I had basically zero connection to my Jewish identity.

But that changed pretty quickly. About a month later I left for CLTC, the experience that truly changed my life. I met some of my best friends: Zach, Alex, and Brandon. The people I stayed up late on the phone with and flew across the country to see. My first real “international” friends. But CLTC wasn’t just great because of that. It was where I found myself. I found my Jewish identity and the person I wanted to become. So when I came home, I decided I was going to crush being Sh’licha.

Osher was in a weird spot that year, and being one of only three sophomores on board was extremely intimidating. But we got through it. I steered FallCon and SRC that year before almost wanting to start a fire when ASC steering was made upperclassmen only.

Then came ASC 2024, when I ran for Regional Sh’licha for the first time. I felt like I had truly crushed my position and that I was the best candidate. But that election didn’t exactly go in my favor. I sobbed. Like actually sobbed. I didn’t know what I was going to do because I still wanted to make an impact, but I also knew one of my closest friends, Phoebe, who was Regional Mek at the time, wanted to come back and run for Osher N’siah. Right after ASC the election packet dropped, and I genuinely didn’t know what to do. About 48 hours before caucuses were due, Phoebe texted me: “I dropped my caucus btw lol.” I remember this so vividly because I was sitting in yearbook and literally gasped out loud, but our current chapter N’siah was in the room so I had to try to act normal. Two hours later my caucus email was sent.

We cast our votes at Chap Con, and I just sat there waiting. When Gracie Sikora and Lofro walked back into the room I genuinely thought I might throw up. “Is there a question in the house?” “Do we have a N’siah in the house?” “Yes, we have been successful in electing our 12th Executive N’siah… and her name is Hannah Lipman.” That moment meant everything to me. Then I went to ILTC. What a summer. Our bigger friend group, freaks, formed, and I found my three best friends in the region. The fish. Asher, Jemma, and Eden who I love so much. I don't know how I would've survived the past 2 years without them.

Being chapter N’siah was one of the most amazing, and honestly one of the hardest, things I’ve ever done. Osher came out in a much stronger place after countless hours on Google Drive, late night calls with Lofro, and a lot of time spent at BBYO events. I steered every convention that year, shoutout to Jonah Brown and my FallCon AdAss relay race, which I truly believe will go down as one of the best GAR programs ever. Through all of this I started to realize just how big BBYO really is. Standing on the plenary stage at International Convention leading Havdalah in front of 3,500 teens from 63 countries was something I will never forget. Looking out into that crowd made me realize the impact of the global Jewish community and what BBYO really represents.

Fast forward to ASC 2025. I ran for regional N’siah, a position I had dreamed about since 8th grade when I watched Shoshana Katz welcome every member with open arms. When the results were announced and I heard “her name is Jemma Schiffer,” my heart and stomach sank. For those of you who don’t know, Jemma is my best friend. Running against her was one of the hardest choices I’ve ever made, and I am so proud of everything she’s done for this region. But in that moment. It sucked. It really sucked. I'm going to be so honest. Still, BBYO teaches you how to roll with the punches. I slid to regional Sh’licha, and this year, with my incredible counterparts and my amazing co Josh, has been one of the best years of my life. From Kallah, where Alex, Jordan, and Nikki became my soul sisters was such an amazing experience to my final IC as Talent Admin where we created one of the best lineups I've seen in my BBYO career, BBYO has given me friendships and experiences I will carry with me forever.

So before my candle lighters, I want to leave you with, in true BBYO fashion, a top ten list.

10. Say yes to every opportunity.
9. Talk to new people.
8. Make friends from other chapters.
7. Respect staff. Lindsey, Tami, Abe, and Abby, thank you for everything.
6. Talk to your advisor. Lofro, I truly could not put into words everything you’ve done for me.

5. Steer convention.
4. Make friends outside your age group.
3. Go on BBYO summer.
2. Don’t take everything so seriously.

1. And most importantly: everything happens for a reason.

Now for my candle lighters... 

Jonah Charlie Brown: A friendship that genuinely started from Lindsey telling me, “Hannah please get him out of his shell”. Safe to say that worked. I’m so proud of everything you’ve done in BBYO, and I know you will continue to do absolutely incredible things in the future.

Joshua Harrison Cooper: The best co I could ask for. Thank you for every late night FaceTime, every Shabbat service, and every minute working together. I know I always seem to be in a bit of a mood, but truly thank you for everything.

Hailey Rose Shaffer: My little baby. Watching you fall in love with BBYO the way I did has been so special. I know you are going to love Perlman this upcoming summer and I know you will continue to thrive.

Zara Brooke Livits: Being elected to I-Board is incredible, and I am so proud of the confident leader you’ve become. Please don't let your ego get too big and try to stop losing your voice. I love you so much.

Dori: We didn’t really talk until Kallah, but I’m forever grateful that we did. You care about everyone around you so deeply, and I am so incredibly proud of everything you have done and will do. I know you have amazing things ahead of you.

Lexi Pearson: My mini me and two-time successor. Between school, yearbook, and BBYO, we’ve gotten so close and I love you so much. Forever grateful for every moment with you.

Ethan Feldman: Although you have a very unserious personality, you care so much about this region and this order. My new best friend is someone I am so so grateful for and you never fail to amaze me.

Samantha: I’ve never seen someone handle stress the way you do. You put 120% into everything you do and I love watching you succeed. You have a very bright future ahead of you, I just know it.

To my best buddies, 97 and 77, thank you for the most incredible year on Regional Board. Every board meeting, every dinner, every laugh.

To all my amazing counterparts this year, thank you for being amazing. I truly could not have asked for a better group. I see so much love and passion for the position of Shli in all of you and I cannot wait to see what you all do.

And one more shout out to Lindsey, Abe, Tami, and Abby. You all have supported me every step of the way from when I thought I wanted to run for I-Board to every weird idea I've wanted to come to life. I am eternally grateful.

To Lofro. I genuinely cannot put into words how much I appreciate you. Through very late night call or text and every program, you have been my rock. And even though I am not getting an invite to your wedding, I still hope that we stay in touch and maybe one day I can meet Jayson. Once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

And to everyone here: please don’t be a stranger. If you’re ever in Tuscaloosa…come visit.

Roll Tide.

One last time, respectfully submitted with undying love, I forever remain, Hannah Gayle Lipman, a DAMN proud BBG.

And with that I dedicate my life.