As the year comes to an end and the 71st year of Mountain Region is about to close out, Mountain ended it on a high note at this year’s Conclave Convention. Conclave is the longest and one of the best conventions of the year- it is my personal favorite! Along with amazing programming and awesome experience, Conclave is also when Mountain elects our new AZA and BBG regional board.

Before we get into the 72nd regional board, let’s look at the amazing weekend Mountain in early April. Thursday started off with reunions of best friends, super fun icebreakers, and regional life, and with that the convention was off to great start. Friday kicked off with elections, then some exciting AZAA and BBGG, and ended with Shabbat services and senior songs. Ultimately, Friday was full of team building, singing, and celebrating our seniors that would soon graduate. On Saturday, Mountain Region had our first Torah service at a regional convention in many years, which was amazing! This was followed by some top notch programming, states, separates, a meaningful Havdallah service, and a fun social. Sunday was full of goodbyes and tears, and after the business meetings and song circles were over, everyone was sad to say goodbye to their best friends. The weekend was an overall success, everyone had an amazing time.

‍Now… Meet Mountain Region #47’s 72nd term regional AZA and BBG board!

Mountain Region's 72nd Term Godol and N'siah

Mountain Region AZA’s Godol:

Name: Noah Kaplan

Grade: Rising Senior

Chapter: Jonas Salk AZA

What are you most excited for in this upcoming term?

I am most excited to grow Mountain Region to be the best it can be!

What new ideas do you have for mountain region?

One idea I have for next term is to have monthly AIT meetings in each city.

What is a random fact about yourself?‍

I have a twin brother named Josh!‍

Mountain Region BBG’s N’siah:

Name: Katie Kort

Grade: Rising Senior

Chapter: Joyce Eva Kiviat BBG

What are you most excited for in this upcoming term?

I am most excited for the August international Executive Conference!!

What new ideas do you have for mountain region?

This year Mountain Region is going to expand by starting new chapters in cities we have not yet engaged.

What is a random fact about yourself?

I play tennis!

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Mountain Region’s 72nd Term S’gan and S’ganit

‍Mountain Region AZA’s S’gan:

Name: Asher Sudit

Grade: Rising Junior

Chapter: Salt Lake City AZA

What are you most excited for in this upcoming term?

To work with my counterparts on making awesome programs, being a leader in my community, and coordinating an awesome convention.

What new ideas do you have for mountain region?

A new idea I am working on implementing is a website containing programs for people to use.

What is a random fact about yourself?

A random fact is that I was a model for Target and Paul Frank.

Mountain Region BBG’s S’ganit:

Name: Shelby Miller

Grade: Rising Senior

Chapter: Tovah BBG

What are you most excited for in this upcoming term?

I am excited to work with girls from all over our region!

What new ideas do you have for mountain region?

My ideas include elevating regional programming and have events that we have never seen!

What is a random fact about yourself?

I can’t sleep without socks on.

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‍Mountain Region’s 72nd Term Moreh and Morah‍

Mountain Region AZA’s Moreh:

Name: AJ Owen

Grade: Rising Senior

Chapter: Rabbi Meir Reznikoff AZA

What are you most excited for in this upcoming term?

I am so excited to work with this fantastic board!!

What new ideas do you have for mountain region?

I have many! One I really want to stress is having AIT meetings that are themed.

What is a random fact about yourself?

I can’t juggle but I can do a cartwheel!

Mountain Region BBG’s Morah:

Name: Ellie Sims

Grade: Rising Junior

Chapter: Tovah BBG

What are you most excited for in this upcoming term?

I’m super excited to be working with the newly elected regional board and my chapter counterparts- there are a lot of strong rising leaders in mountain region!

What new ideas do you have for mountain region?

I would like to charter a new chapter in our West Valley, Arizona, and reinvent the ways our chapters organize recruitment, retention, and education!

What is a random fact about yourself?

A random fact about me is I LOVE hot Cheetos.

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‍Mountain Region's 72nd Term Shaliach

Mountain Region AZA’s Shaliach

Name: Gabe Friedman

Grade: Rising Junior

Chapter: Abba Godol AZA

What are you most excited for in this upcoming term?

I am ecstatic to have the opportunity to help build a stronger Jewish community in mountain region this upcoming term. My hope is that I will allow teens to discover the Jewish identity that is true to themselves, and allow them to make connections to their faith and to each other, in ways that are only possible here in BBYO.

What new ideas do you have for mountain region?

It is important that we realize Judaic identity does not exist only at the regional or international level, it starts with our chapters and members. We just remain true to our pluralistic Jewish identity, as this is what sets us apart from all other teen organizations. This term I want to make Judaic programming more applicable, whether it be through a shared google drive, or even a programming bank; it is critical that we provide this programming to allow our members to experience and grow in their connection to Judaism.

What is a random fact about yourself?

This year I have broken three pairs of glasses, and I also play guitar (pretty well according to most Jewish girls).

Mountain Region BBG’s Sh’licha:

Name: Reann Bressler

Grade: Rising Senior

Chapter: Joyce Eva Kiviat

What are you most excited for in this upcoming term?

I’m most excited to work with my counterparts and encourage them to bring new ideas and experiences to their chapters.

What new ideas do you have for mountain region?

I was so inspired by the Holocaust survivors that visited Kallah 2018 for A Shabbat To Remember that I want to bring the idea back to Mountain Region for Global Shabbat by gathering local Holocaust survivors to share their story as we are the last generation who will be able to hear their stories.

What is a random fact about yourself?

I went on CLTC 2 2017 and Kallah 2018!‍‍‍

‍Mountain Region’s 72nd Term Mazkir and Mazkirah‍‍

Mountain Region AZA’s Mazkir:

Name: Jackson Schutter

Grade: Rising Junior

Chapter: Felix Frankfurter AZA

What are you most excited for in this upcoming term?

I am looking forward to being able to make some changes in the region to get everyone more involved. I am also so excited to work with my CO, and Counterparts to help them be the best mazkirim they can be!

What new ideas do you have for mountain region?

I want to install something called the gold book which would be similar to the red/ blue books. But it would be dedicated to our region, so it would include the history of our region, all of the chapters, cheers, and some other special things.

What is a random fact about yourself?

I play ukulele and can solve a rubiks cube.

Mountain Region BBG’s Mazkirah:

Name: Heather Saxe

Grade: Rising Junior

Chapter: Helene Gorbena BBG

What are you most excited for in this upcoming term?

I am so excited to really expand and update the way Mountain Region handles communication and social media. I’m already working with my co on ways we can use social media to our advantage when it comes to recruitment, globalization, and more! I am also so excited to be on regional board!

What new ideas do you have for mountain region?

I plan on creating a chapter branding crash course with my co to help educate chapters on how branding can really change a chapter’s presence in and out of social media. My co and I have already started instagram story takeovers by each of the chapter’s mazkirah/mazkir!

What is a random fact about yourself?

My grandma, my mom, and my dad were both in BBYO as well! My mom and my grandma were in Mid-America Region and my dad was in Mountain Region.

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‍Mountain Region’s 72nd Term Gizbor and Gizborit ‍

Mountain Region AZA’s Gizbor:

Name: Sol Lerner

Grade: Rising Senior

Chapter: Jonas Salk AZA

What are you most excited for in this upcoming term?

I am so excited to be going to IC for the first time.

What new ideas do you have for mountain region?

A fundraiser that combines two different community service actions.

What is a random fact about yourself?

A car was driven into my pool when I was 3.

Mountain Region BBG’s Gizborit:

Name: Amari Lampert

Grade: Rising Senior

Chapter: Kadimah BBG

What are you most excited for in this upcoming term?

I am super excited to work with my counterparts and help them develop new and creative ways to raise funds for their chapters!

What new ideas do you have for mountain region?

I want to implement a website for Shuk items. This way I can post all of the different items from each chapter which will help with advertisement. I would also like to make it so that people are able to preorder the items making it so that it increases the chapter’s profits.

What is a random fact about yourself?

I have a Leopard Gecko named Leo Gigi Pancake.

‍The future of mountain region has never looked so bright! There are so many amazing things the Regional Boards have in the works. Stay tuned to hear all about this term!