Elevate Your Programs With These Quick Tips

December 18, 2025
Naomi Drazin

Dallas, Texas, United States

Class of 2027

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Planning a program can be a tough task. If you are struggling to get your program to the next level, here are some tips to elevate your event.

1. Remember Your Why

Your program’s goal should guide how you plan it. If you want people to sign up for summer or convention, the type of program you plan will be different from one that is supposed to help teens develop their own Jewish Identity. Don’t forget your goal while planning, and keep the program centered around the why.

2. Use the Folds

The folds for programming should be used as a tool. Although you don’t need to use all of them in one event, utilizing these folds can make your programs more focused. Additionally, the programming folds allow BBYO events to be truly unique and experiences that can’t be found anywhere else.

3. Food, Fun, Jewish

This was a phrase used at ILTC to describe program planning, and I have found it extremely helpful. Giving teens Jewish experiences that they can’t get anywhere else is what BBYO prides itself on. Teens are also typically pretty happy to get free food while having fun. 

4. Environment 

Set up the environment to fit the program. An event with a light and energetic mood needs a different setup than one with a serious tone. Use the program space to your advantage and set the vibe you want for the event.

5. Hosting 

You need to host everyone at your event. Maintaining a welcoming environment will allow everyone to enjoy the event, and people will want to come back to a fun place that makes them feel welcomed. By actively hosting your guest, you can create an environment that people want to return to. 

Naomi is a BBG living in Dallas and loves to travel.

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.

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