Mexico City:

Mexico City was an amazing trip for three very special reasons. The first reason was to onboard Mercedes and Logan as the incoming International Presidents. We had an amazing two days of profound conversations about the intricacies of the role and the direction the movement is going in. The second reason, and part of onboarding Mercedes and Logan, was the Board of Directors meeting. As the International Presidents sit on and present to the Board of Directors, it was a very fun part of the onboarding process. Joelle and I had the opportunity to present our final updates, thoughts, and recommendations from our year and speak to the other topics being discussed by BBYO’s leadership. The last reason, however, was to spend time with the teens. We spent an amazing Shabbat and Havdalah at a beautiful synagogue and a fun chapter program. This was also the weekend of AZA Founder’s Day, and we got to celebrate 101 at a huge BBYO Mexico celebration. Finally, while in Mexico, we gathered the Executive Body for one final business meeting where we ratified BBYO’s constitution. This week was filled with wins across the board and really felt like the beginning of the end as we hit the four-week countdown to the end of the term.

North Texas Oklahoma:

I moved just up north to NTO. This week was filled with seeing the incoming 41st Regional Board. Coming off of their 18-month term, it was amazing to see the excitement for the anticipated next year. We had a great roundtable with the AZA board and an exciting playbook session with the regional presidents. We spent Havdalah at a fun chapter program and, in true NTO fashion, headed to PNF for some extended hangout time. Lastly, I got to run an AZA Legacy Night and had a great time meeting some of the younger guys in the region.

Michigan:

For another trip further up north, I landed in Detroit to hang out with the amazing Alephs of Michigan. They, too, had just elected a new board with their 101st AZA and 81st BBG, and we were excited to hit the ground running. I first met a lot of the incoming board members at the final President Network meeting of the year. I loved getting to see their reflections on the year and how excited they all were for the next. We also got to do a 100/80 regional board dinner where I heard all of their stories and wins from the year. After some senior assassin surprises, we got off to the next day where we went with the incoming regional board for some ice cream. After another AZA Legacy Night, we ended the week with the annual Michigan end-of-year event, where we honored some amazing community members, celebrated the success of the region, and got excited about an amazing next year.

Evergreen:

Home sweet home in the Evergreen Region, but instead of sleeping in my bed, I flew straight to Portland to catch the bus down to BB Camp for L’dor V’dor Convention. This weekend was especially exciting for me, seeing not just the younger kids on regional board and my chapter step into higher leadership roles, but I got to see my youngest brother Avi steer the convention and my other brother Levi get elected as Regional Aleph Godol. It was amazing to see old friends coming back to staff and support the region and the year below me give life and step into their time as alumni. I saw some amazing programs and got to attend a Shabbat led by Drag Queen Laura Menorah. It was so special for me to be back in my home region for one last hurrah, especially seeing my brothers have such amazing milestones at the convention.

‍Vancouver:

After a night in my own bed, it was time to hit the road again for a road trip to Vancouver. Shoutout to Mom for driving me up and coming with me to see our family in Vancouver. This was a special week because my grandma grew up in BBYO Vancouver and met my grandfather at a regional convention between Vancouver and Seattle. I arrived on Victoria Day, and so while the teens were off school, we held a chapter leadership training for the boards of the new and thriving chapters. They were programming pros and made some fun calendars for heading into next year. We also got to have a regional board dinner where most of the teens would be returning in the next year. We had some amazing conversations, and even more amazing chocolate courtesy of our amazing director, Michelle. After one final AZA Legacy Night, it was time to head to the airport and head west on my Canada tour.

Northwest Canada:

After a night in Calgary, it was time to take the bus to BB Camp Pinelake for Northwest Canada’s convention. This three-night convention was jam-packed with amazing programs, lots of sports, and some amazing lives. We got to celebrate not just a special Shabbat but also Lag BaOmer at this convention with a great bonfire. We also had a scavenger hunt all across camp with an amazing amount of detail and complexity. While we spent every chofesh playing soccer and volleyball, we also got to have the first annual American Football Tournament. I played for Saskatoon, and the Landa underdogs made an unprecedented deep run into the playoffs, but First International were crowned champions, winning the Century Cup in honor of NWC’s 100th year. Most importantly, the end of each night ended with amazing lives from all of the seniors. The time spent writing these detailed lives all paid off, and so many young Alephs and BBGs were recognized with shoutouts and life handouts. With an election and spirit circle to end off the weekend, NWC was prepped for an amazing 100th year, and everyone headed back across the region.

Lake Ontario Region:

For my final community visit staying at a counterpart’s house, it was so fitting I was with the incoming Regional Aleph Godol of LOR, Elliot. We got to have a fun dinner with the incoming and outgoing regional boards and start the transfer of knowledge and power from 45 to 46. After a Moo-off and extended lore drop of LOR, we headed back after our five hours spent at Montana's BBQ. We also got to see some chapter programs, and considering it was the final week of chapter events, there were some amazing States and installations of chapter leaders. I loved seeing the teens continue to innovate with programming, especially Achim and Ahava’s Yoga States, where each section of the State had a special yoga pose that corresponded to the meaning of the ritual. We ended off the week with my final AZA Legacy Night of the year and a Rising Leader Dinner with some teens excited to take on chapter and regional leadership.

Red River Region:

Back to Red River for the last convention of the year. After staying in touch with the boys from my last trip in December, it was great to reunite with them and experience their last weekend in BBYO. I got to hear some amazing lives and get a glimpse into their BBYO journey outside of what I already knew. I also got to be there for States and hear all of the amazing successes and wins of the term. We had an amazing time playing sports during chofesh, watching the prepared videos, stories, and songs from the chapters, and a lit silent disco. As 101/81 start their terms, right here in Red River, their counterparts are being elected and beginning their journeys of leading this organization.

Goodbye:

I had the most amazing time serving this year as the 100th Grand Aleph Godol. Thank you to my peers for giving me this opportunity, and I hope you enjoyed following along with my travels throughout the Movement. A huge thank you to Michelle, Moe, and Joelle for putting together an amazing 180° tour, and to Andrea for being the best support in sharing that with all of you. Finally, I am so excited for Logan and Mercedes to take over and run the Movement, and you can continue to follow along with their travels as International Presidents right here on The Shofar!