All good things must come to an end, and the same is true for this year's International Convention. From an Andy Grammer performance, to star studded Limmud sessions, to lifelong memories created, IC 2025 was a huge hit, and will be remembered by all who attended for years to come. Olympic and paralympic medalists Tara and Hunter Woodhall, along with BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff, and award winning actor Gianacarlo Esposito were some of the many guests that made an appearance at this year’s convention.
International elections saw the formation of the 101st Grand Board of the Aleph Zadik Alephs and the 81st International Board of the B’nai Brith Girls. As many leaders from across the order gathered to elect the new Grand and International boards, others embarked on engaging and interesting LEADS Day Tracks. Scattered throughout the city of Denver, LEADS Day was another opportunity for teens to improve their leadership skills.
Awesome Limmuds throughout the day on Saturday, inspired all who attended. Inspirational speakers, famous Jewish athletes and social media influencers shared their messages with attendees, sparking ambition in a new wave of Jewish leaders. From a Q&A with Israeli UFC fighter Natan Levy, to an up close concert with Jewish singer and songwriter Westside Gravy, opportunities ranged and provided teens with various different options.
Attendees were able to travel throughout Denver, visiting the home of the Denver Broncos, while also skiing and snow tubing down the area’s famous slopes. Denver, Colorado provided all attendees with the perfect mix of wintery-fun, and indoor adventures that were taken advantage of by all.
IC 2025 was capped off with a concert and block party for all to enjoy, where rapper Swae Lee and EDM act Galantis took the stage to perform. This concert lineup paired with a plethora of activities in the block party was the perfect end to IC, and left attendees with one final ‘wow’ moment.
Despite the sad reality that IC has come to a close, the wait for IC 2026 has kicked off.
From the Rocky Mountains to the City of Brotherly Love, BBYO will be heading to Philadelphia next year, where countless more memories will be created! Known for their killer cheesesteaks, Super Bowl-winning football team and Rocky Balboa, Philadelphia will offer all attendees an experience like never before.
With each new host city of the International Convention, fresh opportunities and experiences that are exclusive to BBYO arise. What these opportunities are, we will have to wait and see, but one thing we know for certain is that they will leave life long impacts on the lives of attendees. Next year at this time, thousands of Jewish teens will gather in the Birthplace of America to uphold an 102-year history that calls BBYO its home.
So yes, while you may feel sad and upset that this year’s convention is over, remember that next year is right around the corner.
Jonah Leske is from Scotch Plains, New Jersey, who has taken a selfie with Aaron Judge
All views expressed on content written for The Shofar represent the opinions and thoughts of the individual authors. The author biography represents the author at the time in which they were in BBYO.