UK and Ireland BBYO

BBYO UK & Ireland
Purpose Educational
Headquarters London
Region served
UK and Ireland
Official language
English
Staff
3
Volunteers
40
Website BBYO UK & Ireland

BBYO UK & Ireland is a part of BBYO, a peer-led, Zionist and pluralist youth movement. It is open to Jewish youth between the ages of 13–18 who want to take part in its activities. The members form local chapters, of which some 10 are situated in BBYO District 15, meaning UK and Ireland. The members are encouraged to play an active role in both the Jewish and general community.

History

Further information: BBYO History

In 1924, a group of boys formed a fraternity in Omaha, Nebraska. The society was named the Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA, standing for Ahava Tzadakah Achdu't, meaning brotherhood, charity and unity). The B'nai B'rith Youth Organisation (BBYO) formed from the AZA, incorporating the B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG) in 1924.

The first BBYO chapter established in UK and Ireland (District 15) was Leeds, in 1940. There are some 10 chapters in District 15. Globally BBYO has some 40 000 members.[1][2]

Operation

The whole district of UK & Ireland is led by the National Executive (team of six) which is elected by the members at an annual event called National Veida. The National Executive is made up of people usually aged 15–17. The National Executive supports the chapters as well as runs national events for the members.

BBYO also has a Youth Direction, Education and Development co-ordinator and an Admin who work in the office to support the National Exec. BBYO "elders" (bogrim) make up the Youth Commission and they support the chapters and the National Exec in an advisory role.

BBYO runs a number of events through the year. They are themed and combine social, educational and leadership activities. BBYO runs winter and summer camps, a 'new members' weekend, national weekends, and Israel and International Programmes too.[3]

Chapters

The chapters typically hold their meetings weekly. The chapters have their own individual identity; the activities and programmes vary between chapters.

The UK and Ireland chapters are (as of 2017): Barnet (Masada, inactive in 2017), Birmingham (inactive), Bournemouth (inactive), Dublin (the only one in Ireland), Edgware (Deganya), London (Mercaz), Manchester, Nottingham (Yoni, inactive in 2017), Bushey ("Sababa" formerly "Pinner") and Borehamwood (Kehilah).

Executive Positions

In the UK and Ireland each chapter has up to six or seven executive members. These are the members that are in charge of running the programmes and looking after all the other members in that chapter. As BBYO is peer-led the executive positions are taken up by the older members of the group, usually aged between 15–17. There are six positions with different roles and jobs to do,[4] as follows:

Position Job National Executive
President The President has an overall view over everything. Ensures each chapter runs smoothly on a weekly basis by delegating different responsibilities within the chapter exec. Ensures their exec operate efficiently. May also check for consistency with programmes and activities.

Matthew Buchalter

Vice-President The Vice-President's main focus is on membership. This includes recruitment of new members, reaching out to chapter Vice-Presidents, retaining current members and keeping a good relationship up with members. Responsibilities also include co-roshing the New Members Weekend.

Oli Sultan

Administrator The Admin's role is focused around organisation. They strengthen the branding of BBYO through merchandising and advertising, while organising events to attract members. The Admin makes sure security is organised throughout the year, collects fees at chapter meetings, creates budgets and is in charge of overall treasury.

Ollie Morley

Programmer The Programmer is in charge of making sure a programme is ready for chapter meeting. Helps others in preparing programmes.

Jasper Federman

JZA The Judaism and Zionism Awareness Officer's job is to keep the chapter members informed about current affairs in Israel as well as historical aspects within the Jewish people's history. The JZA will also focus on educating people about global Jewry and the different opinions on Zionism.

Leann Yfrah

SACO Social Action and Causes Officer's role is to keep the movement connected and involved in charity causes and the ideology of activism. The SACO educates about important issues and inspiring projects.

Sophie Cohn

Events

Event Name Date
Chapter Leadership Training Course October
National Fireworks November
Machane Choref (Winter camp) December
Beginnings and Belong (New Members Weekend) February
District Chapters' Ball (DCB) February
Back 2 BBYO (Sixth form Shabbaton) November
2nd Chapter Leadership Training Course March/April
Israel Tour (for Year 11s post-GCSE) July–August
Me'ir Israel (Second timers visit to Israel) August
Shorashim (Summer camp) August
District Leadership Training Course (DLTC) August
National Veida August

Israel Tour videos/images

Israel Tour happens every year and travellers come back with lots of photos and videos. On YouTube there is a page dedicated to these videos and slideshows.[5]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.bbyo.org.uk/ BBYO UK & Ireland
  2. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20090426181437/http://www.jfind.co.uk/articles/BBYO.aspx JFind.co.uk (Archived link)
  3. ↑ The Official BBYO Group for UK and Ireland Facebook
  4. ↑ "National Executive Election Pack" (PDF). BBYO UK & Ireland. pp. 5–6. Archived from the original (pdf) on 27 January 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  5. ↑ BBYO Israel Tour YouTube
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