When I think back to who I was when I walked into my first BBYO event, I barely recognize that person. I didn’t really understand what BBYO was or the kind of impact it could have on my life. Now, with a year and a half left in this organization, I’ve had time to reflect on how much it’s shaped me. It feels like I’m starting to close one door while slowly opening another.

‍

So, in true BBYO fashion, here’s a top ten list of lessons I’ve learned along the way.

‍

10) You can do whatever you set your mind to.

If you want to be involved, you will. If you want to run for a board position, you will. If you want to go on a summer program, you will. The only limits are the ones you place on yourself. Sometimes the hardest part is believing you can, but once you do, everything else starts to fall into place.

‍

9) People won’t always remember what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.

We’re all teens trying to figure life out, and we won’t always get along. Still, we all have the responsibility to treat each other with kindness. That’s not just a general value; it’s a Jewish one. It’s part of Tikkun Olam, the act of repairing the world. How you make others feel matters, and it leaves a mark long after the words are forgotten.

‍

8) The only person you can control is yourself.

People will say or do things you don’t agree with, and you can’t control that. What you can control is how you respond. The way you handle those moments says a lot about who you are and who you are becoming. Learning to pause, think, and respond intentionally is one of the most important parts of growing as a person and a leader.

‍

7) Take a leap of faith.

BBYO is full of opportunities and unknowns, and that can be scary. But that is also what makes it so special. This is a safe space to take chances, try new things, and learn from the outcomes, good or bad. Some of my best memories came from moments that felt risky at first. You’ll never know what could happen unless you try.

‍

6) The future of Judaism is in our hands.

After BBYO, you can choose to find or build a Jewish community that feels like home. The friendships you form, the programs you take part in, and the values you carry forward all contribute to keeping our tradition alive. The work we do now helps create a path for those who come after us.

‍

5) It’s okay to take a step back.

As important as the work you’re doing for your chapter, region, or the international order may feel, remember, there are over 70,000 teens in BBYO. Missing a deadline or taking a break does not make you any less committed. This is a youth group, not a presidential election. Caring for yourself makes you a stronger leader in the long run.

‍

4) People pay attention to how you show up.

Not to scare you, but people notice how you treat others, how you lead, and how you show up. That attention can be a positive force if you are proud of who you are and what you stand for. When you lead with kindness and authenticity, good things follow naturally, and others are inspired by the example you set.

‍

Okay, if you’ve been skimming this far and only kind of paying attention, all I ask is that you actually lock in for these last three.

‍

3) Leadership titles aren’t everything.

General members are the heart of BBYO, and without them, this organization wouldn’t exist. Titles are nice, and I’m proud of the ones I’ve held, but leadership is really about showing up and making others feel seen. Some of the most inspiring people I’ve met in BBYO are general members who make this space better simply by being themselves.

‍

2) Everything happens for a reason.

The arguments, the lost elections, the hard tests, the random conversations; all of it happens for a reason. I can’t tell you exactly what that reason is, but even the hardest moments have something to teach you. Looking back, the toughest experiences I’ve had, both in and out of BBYO, have helped me grow. Even at your lowest points, it’s not the end. It’s just another step forward in your journey.

‍

1) Roadblocks aren’t failures; they are moments that test your leadership and your strength.

In the past three years, I’ve faced countless challenges: disagreements, burnout, and times when I didn’t know what to do next. But every single situation taught me something. I could have given up, but I didn’t. BBYO has taught me that it’s okay to struggle, but it’s not okay to stop trying. Every challenge is a chance to grow.

Now that you’ve read through my top ten list, I hope you take a moment to think about what BBYO has taught you. Maybe you agree with me, maybe you don’t, but either way, you’ve learned something along the way. You are not the same person you were a month ago, six months ago, or a year ago. None of us are. And that is the beauty of this journey. BBYO doesn’t just change who we are now, it helps us become who we’re meant to be. So if you are going to lock in, do it now.

‍