Columbus BBYO Shines at Regional Convention

KIO BBYO's Regional Convention 2007 entitled "At the Beginning" enabled Columbus to once again shine on the national BBYO and regional Kentucky-Indiana-Ohio teen scenes.

Coordinated by Bexley High School junior Josh Klaben-Finegold and Cincinnati junior Kyle Goldhoff, this retreat marked a major culture change for BBYO– "regular" members having the new opportunity to plan regional programming in lieu of elected regional officers.

"It was a nice change for BBYO to ask the everyman to take part in regional events," said Justin Sadle, Louisville former city director. "Some of my teens got involved; I'm proud of Josh and Kyle for making that effort, and of my city's younger teens who worked hard and were shown positive accomplishment by their peers."

The retreat also marked the end of the 2007 leadership year, led by Columbus' Andrew Igdaloff and Dayton's Megan DuBro. Now regional teen "advisors," their role is to guide the new officers in 2008, "the Year of the Chapter" to strengthen chapter membership, programming, morale and achievement. "I'm excited to be able to step back as a second-semester senior," said DuBro. "This region has come so far and so quickly; it will be wonderful to keep up that momentum, especially in cities like Columbus who have such strong enthusiasm for the ideals Sam Beber and Anita Perlman set forth so long ago." The list of those newly elected officers is below.

Under Columbus' chapter leadership of (Aliah BBG) Ariel Wasserstrom, (Ziv BBG) Marika Bresler, (Heart of Ohio AZA) Josh Klaben-Finegold and (Pops Dworkin/Saul Kauffman AZA) Daniel Bush, Columbus BBYO walked away with some high honors at the annual awards banquet, held Sunday evening of the weekend. Awards include:

• (International): Aliah BBG and Pops DSK AZA, 2006-07 Recruitment honors
• (Regional): Aleph of the Year– Josh Klaben-Finegold of Heart of Ohio, Columbus; S'ganit of the Year– Molly Igdaloff of Aliah BBG, Columbus; Best Jewish Committee Member– Molly Igdaloff of Aliah BBG, Columbus.

Of special mention is a high honor awarded to the non-officer member, entitled the "KIO Legacy Award." This new, annually-presented honor goes to those who dedicate their time to their chapters to help ensure positive chapter futures. Regardless of personal efforts and time given to the regional or international levels, this honor is an adult-nominated recognition and is accompanied by a "chai" lapel pin upon which "legacy" is inscribed. This will become KIO's highest individual honor and is solely based on chapter experience.

We wish a hearty "Mazel Tov" to Ziv BBG's Marika Bresler of Columbus, Indy Brae Sheath AZA's Ben-Ari Boukai of Indianapolis, IN and Hatikvah BBG's Jordan Tuss in Dayton, as the first year's recipients.

City and Regional Director Amy Dicker says, "I am so proud of the efforts the Columbus teens have put into their chapters this past year. The growth of effort and enthusiasm is just as important as the growth in participation numbers; while those are on the upswing as well, these teens really dedicate heart and passion into making BBYO the ultimate high school experience... it really shows me we're accomplishing the international BBYO mission of: 'more meaningful Jewish experiences for more Jewish teens.' Columbus' officers as well as members have shown true commitment and should be congratulated on their accomplishments. I'm pleased the region's teens saw those efforts and awarded them for their work. With all of this naches, who knows where we'll be next year!"

Congratulations to the following teens now serving on the 2008 K-I-O Executive Board:

• Presidents– AZA Godol, Jeremy Klaben of Weprin Kadima AZA in Dayton; BBG N'siah, Rochelle Leeman of Aliah BBG in Columbus.
• Programming Vice Presidents– AZA S'gan, Daniel Ensign of Drew Corson AZA in Louisville, Ky.; BBG S'ganit: Samantha Pavlofsky of Hatikvah BBG in Dayton.
• Membership Vice Presidents– AZA Moreh, Eric Langer of Heart of Ohio AZA in Columbus; BBG Morah, Lauren Cohen of Ner Tamid BBG in Cincinnati.
• Communication Vice Presidents– AZA Mazkir, Daniel Bush of Pops Dworkin/Saul Kauffman AZA in Columbus; BBG Mazkirah, Hanna Good of Aliah BBG in Columbus.
• Jewish Heritage/Social Action/Community Service Vice Presidents– AZA Shaliach, Jason Feldman of Weprin Kadima AZA in Dayton; BBG Sh'licha, Ariel Wasserstrom of Aliah BBG in Columbus.
• (BBG) Treasurer– Gizbarit, Emily Smith of Aliah BBG in Columbus.

In addition to assisting each of the region's chapters in their programming and mission, these leaders will be promoting BBYO, Inc's own teen-chosen initiatives such as "GO GREEN: LEAD GREEN," fund-raising for the Joint Distribution Committee among other wonderful causes and local functions such as Columbus' spring recruitment drives which will begin soon. BBYO membership dues have decreased while summer domestic and abroad opportunities have increased this year. Dues are now $75 for an extended membership and $149 for all four years of high school, a significant drop from prior years. Those dues are nationally standardized.

They will also be assisting the Columbus Adult Board with the ongoing fundraisers of our Kroger cards (still available) and tribute card stationery for use in honoring someone for an accomplishment or in memoriam. For more information on either of the cards, contact Linda Schottenstein at (614) 235-2522 or leks3@aol.com.

For information about summer program opportunities, which vary from a trip to Spain and a Costa Rica EcoQuest to Project NYC, check out www.b-linked.org and www.passport2israel.org. Local scholarships are available until March 1, and to participate one does not have to be a member or at all active in BBYO.

SAVE THE DATES:

• Feb. 1-3– Regional KIO executive meetings in Columbus (Sat. night social to involve local teens)
• Feb. 13-18– International Convention and Chapter Executive meetings, BBYO, Inc. in Chicago, IL
• Feb. 19– BBYO open house at JCC (ALL parents invited!)
• Feb. 23– BBYO city-wide social– all Jewish teens welcome. See B-Linked.org for more information, register
• March through May– BBYO's partnership with the Kaplan SAT/ACT prep class. Sign up!
• March 2– JET/Federation sponsored all-community Joel Chasnoff/"Think Israel" program 5-7p
• March 7-9 – KIO Kallah, annual Jewish Heritage retreat at Swoneky in Oregonia, OH
• March 22– JET sponsored all-community Purim Party at Gameworks with Chabad's Friendship Circle (annual)
• April 5– BBYO city-wide social– all Jewish teens welcome!
• April 13– J-SERV!
• April 27 through May 11– March of the Living
• May 3– AZA Founder's Day and AZA Brotherhood Week with AZA Shabbat
• May 16 through 18 KIO New Member Weekend retreat at Swoneky in Oregonia, OH
• May 21– JET sponsored annual mtg/Teen Awards Night

If you are interested in taking part in summer programs or Israel trips, contact Dicker at (614) 231-2731, ext. 378.