Dear BBYO Parents, 

At BBYO, we believe some of the most meaningful growth happens when teens step beyond what is familiar, encounter new perspectives, and deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them. Summer experiences have always been one of the most powerful ways we bring that mission to life. 

Over the past year, the BBYO Passport team, together with teen leaders from across our Movement, has reimagined what those experiences can look like for today's Jewish teens. The result is our most expansive collection of programs yet, creating more pathways for teens to explore the world, connect with global Jewish communities, build lasting friendships, and strengthen their sense of identity and belonging. 

Whether traveling through Israel, exploring Jewish life across Europe, engaging with communities in Asia or Latin America, or participating in multi-country journeys, each program is designed with a purpose that extends far beyond sightseeing. These experiences challenge teens to grow in independence, engage deeply with Jewish values, and better understand their place within the global Jewish story. 

This spring also marks the return of the March of the Living to BBYO Passport. For many families, this experience represents one of the most profound educational journeys available to Jewish teens. Through learning about the Holocaust in Poland and joining thousands of Jewish teens and travelers from around the world on Yom HaShoah for the March from Auschwitz to Birkenau, participants gain a powerful understanding of Jewish history, memory, responsibility, and peoplehood. 

We're also grateful for the continued partnership of RootOne, whose funding helps make Israel experiences more accessible to families. Eligible teens can receive significant support toward a BBYO Israel program, helping more young people build a meaningful connection to Israel and the Jewish people. 

No matter which experience a teen chooses, what remains constant is the caring community that surrounds them. Guided by experienced BBYO professionals and educators, teens are challenged, supported, and inspired as they grow in confidence, form lifelong friendships, and create memories that last well beyond the summer. 

We look forward to helping your teen create a summer filled with growth, connection, and discovery. 

Warmly, 

Marni Heller 
Associate Vice President, BBYO Passport 

Convention Season is Here | Regional Convention season is officially underway! Across the Order, thousands of BBYO members will come together for weekends of Jewish pride, friendship, engaging programming, and the traditions that make each region unique. For many teens, convention weekends are the highlight of their BBYO year and a powerful reminder of what makes BBYO so special. Keep an eye out for updates from your regional staff about upcoming conventions and other ways your teens can get involved, or visit our  BBYO Near You page!

Upcoming: Global Shabbat 2026 | This December 11–12, BBYO communities around the world will come together to celebrate our annual Global Shabbat initiative. Whether at a chapter gathering or a regional experience, teens will join thousands of their Jewish peers in celebrating Shabbat as one global Jewish community. This year’s theme, “Passing the Light” ("מעבירים את האור/Ma’avirim Et Ha’Or”), highlights the power of sharing Jewish connection and tradition across the globe. Global Shabbat is one of the many opportunities for teens to deepen their connection to Judaism while engaging with our broader global Movement. Check out the Global Shabbat page to learn more.

College Readiness With BBYO | What makes a BBYO member stand out in the college admissions process? Every year, BBYO CEO Matthew Grossman sends a letter to admissions officers at more than 150 colleges and universities nationwide, highlighting the experience, values, and skills that members develop through BBYO. This year’s letter focuses on an important aspect of the BBYO experience: how BBYO teens learn to strengthen communities and leave them better than they found them for future generations. We encourage your families to read this year’s college letter as they begin discussing college and beyond.

In recent months, BBYO teens have strengthened their leadership and civic engagement skills through Voice Your Vote, BBYO's nonpartisan initiative designed to help young people explore how Jewish values can inspire meaningful participation in public life.

Rooted in values like Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof ("Justice, justice shall you pursue"), Tikkun Olam ("Repairing the world"), and Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh La'Zeh ("All Jews are responsible for one another"), the initiative empowered teens to take an active role in their communities while learning about the responsibilities and opportunities of civic engagement.

Throughout the election season, teens participated in voter registration efforts, served as poll workers, engaged with elected officials, and facilitated thoughtful conversations about the issues affecting their communities. Through these experiences, they developed leadership skills, practiced respectful dialogue, and discovered new ways to create positive change.

Families played an important role as well. By staying informed, volunteering, voting, and discussing current events at home, parents and caregivers helped model the importance of civic responsibility and community involvement.

Together, BBYO families demonstrated that Jewish pride is not only about preserving our traditions, but also about bringing our values to life through service, leadership, and active engagement in the world around us.

Learn more about Voice Your Vote.

Drew Fidler, LCSW-C, is the Executive Director of the BBYO Center for Adolescent Wellness, where she helps ensure that BBYO and other youth-serving organizations are places where teens can thrive through best practices in health and wellness. Email your burning questions to Drew and she’ll select questions to answer in future Parent Pulse issues.

Dear Drew: My parent friends and I worry a lot about the decisions our teens will make when we’re not around. Weigh in for my book club: How can we help them to make good choices, stand up for themselves and what they believe in, and support their peers and friends? In short, how can we raise upstanders? —Lea B.

Dear Lea: Oftentimes, teens think standing up for someone means making a large statement or standing out in some way. So instead of acting, they freeze. The reality is that intervening and standing up for someone can look many different ways. It doesn’t always have to be loud. Here are a few different strategies to help your teens feel more comfortable intervening:

1. Upstanding doesn’t have to equal confrontation. Help them know that quieter options count too: checking in privately, changing the subject, walking away together.
2. Don’t just join in. Laughing along or smiling gives tacit approval, whether teens mean it or not. Not laughing goes a long way in helping to stop the moment.
3. Interrupt. A simple phrase like “that’s not cool,” or “I don’t like that,” or “stop,” goes a long way in helping to socially correct the situation.
4. Distract. Move the group or the individual away from the topic at hand. 

Safety always comes first. If a situation ever feels unsafe, getting help from an adult is being an upstander.

Talk to your teen about the risks and rewards of standing up for others. Tell them that you are here to help and that you will be a partner in problem solving and figuring out what to do next. If your teen doesn’t make the right choice, ask questions, learn about what happened, stay calm, and decide on next steps together. Help them realize it’s never too late to stand up for others. And when they do speak up, praise their courage, even if things don't go perfectly.

This issue's In Their Words column comes to us from Luke Jaffee and Rafaela Rimoch, BBYO's 9th Grand and International Gizborim (teen treasurers).

Make an Impact This #givingBBYOday!

In the weeks leading up to Giving Tuesday (December 1, 2026), teens around the world will be participating in something unusual: a teen-led grassroots fundraiser involving hundreds of chapters from over 60 countries.

As a BBYO parent, you see firsthand what your teens take away from BBYO, whether it's finding their best friends at a chapter event or stepping into a leadership role on a summer program. #givingBBYOday is an opportunity to make those moments possible for even more families. Donations support BBYO regions’ program scholarships, dedicated staff, and engaging experiences that keep meaningful Jewish experiences accessible for as many teens as possible.

This day is a meaningful way to model generosity for our teens and show them how collective action strengthens Jewish life.

We’d love for you to be involved in this effort! Share your family’s BBYO story on social media, encourage your teen’s fundraising efforts, or ask your employer whether they match charitable gifts. Every conversation helps introduce more people to BBYO.

Whether you give, fundraise, or spread the word, you can make a difference. Mark December 1 on your calendar, invite your network to participate, and help us show what our community can accomplish when we come together. Learn more and get involved at bbyo.org/givingbbyoday.

This issue's Grab Bag comes to us from Lev Shulman, one of our teen journalists from the Great Midwest Region.

Are you wondering what to get the teen in your life for Hannukah? Scrambling for a last-minute gift? Well, we’ve got you covered—look no further than 2026’s Official BBYO Holiday Giving List. 

5. Make a Donation to BBYO In Their Honor
A great way to show your appreciation for your loved one is to make a donation to BBYO in their honor. #givingBBYOday donations are directed towards the region in which they are made, allowing teens of all socioeconomic statuses to enjoy our events. Every donation counts and each dollar can make a difference. Learn more and donate today! 

4. Buy A Piece of BBYO Merchandise
What’s a better way to immortalize your loved one’s connection with AZA or BBG than a piece of merchandise? Whether it’s one of our signature pieces, or a shirt unique to your teen’s chapter, you can’t go wrong with anything. For something specific to your area, reach out to teen leadership in your community—they’ll help you out! Otherwise, you can visit the Official BBYO Shop.

3. Sign Your Teen Up for BBYO Summer 
Is your loved one looking for more in their Jewish leadership experience? Look no further than BBYO Summer 2027! Whether they’re well into their leadership journey or just starting out, there is a program for everyone! And if they’re looking to travel, we have that covered, too! BBYO Passport runs programs to popular destinations around the world, and paves the way for memories that last a lifetime. Explore all your options here.

2. Purchase a Ticket to Their Next Regional Convention 
Chances are that your community has a regional convention coming up—if your teen hasn’t signed up already, now’s your chance to show them some love! Regional conventions are an incredible opportunity to make new connections, and deepen your teen’s leadership skills alongside local friends. Explore events near you here.

1. The Gift That Keeps On Giving: A BBYO Lifetime Membership
The crème de la crème: a lifetime membership to BBYO! This one-time purchase secures a teen’s place in AZA or BBG for life. For many teens, receiving their membership is a milestone they’ll never forget, marking the beginning of a journey that shapes their Jewish identity, friendships, and future long after their time in BBYO ends. If a teen in your life is not yet a member, explore the many benefits and sign up here.