Across BBYO, one catchphrase we use constantly is “for every Jewish teen”. Recently, I’ve taken more time to think about what that statement actually means, and whether it accurately represents BBYO in its current state. We pride ourselves on being a pluralistic organization, and while we are tremendously diverse in how teens across the Order practice their Judaism, there are still times when programs or opportunities make it impossible for everyone to participate.

I’ve walked into Shabbat programs in my chapter that are awesome and engaging, yet a teen may have been unable to attend because we spent the night playing a game online, something that isn’t an option for Shomer Shabbat Jews. I’ve also seen a new member scared off by the prospect of attending a regional convention, because the activities planned for us, such as scrapbooking and journaling, aren’t possible when you don’t write or cut paper on Shabbat.

On the other side of things, there are still Jewish teens who are in many ways no different from you or me, except they don’t get the immense privilege we have of practicing our Judaism freely. Though it's no fault of BBYO, can we truly say we are for every Jewish teen when we simply can’t reach teens in so many countries and communities because of the threat it poses to their safety? I don’t take it lightly when I think about what BBYO means to me and what it has given me since I became a member, because it simultaneously serves as a reminder of how lucky I am, how lucky we are, to have access to opportunities like this. 

Additionally, BBYO is expensive! Scholarships and funding are a huge part of our Order and make tremendous differences for teens so that they can access events on all levels, yet they don’t give everyone access all the time. Once again, this isn’t necessarily the fault of BBYO. We only have so much money available, and it takes a constant amount of work and outreach to allocate it. Even so, that doesn’t take away from how a teen feels when a regional convention is impossible to attend because it costs too much, or when a teen finally gets into IC after three years of being waitlisted, but the financial aid doesn’t cover enough for them to go, and so instead they watch their friends have fun without them.

The conversation can go on, as these issues are only some of the many barriers that leave Jewish teens unable to become involved in BBYO, even when they might want nothing more. So it remains the great privilege and responsibility of all the teens in this organization to work towards a future where at least some of these barriers can be diminished, and it will take all of us to get there. I know that I will keep trying to make programs more accessible and to advocate for the teens who can’t advocate for themselves, because all that separates us from them is a divide, whether visible or not. 

But all of this begs the question: can we truly say with confidence that we are for every Jewish teen, when not every Jewish teen can say with confidence that we are for them?