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Memphis BBYO Teens:
A New Generation of
International Leadership
By Avery Budman
February 15 was a historic day for the Memphis Jewish
community as three local teens were elected to serve at the helm of B'nai
B'rith Youth Organization's (BBYO) young men and women's divisions, Aleph Zadik
Aleph (AZA) and B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG). Emily Trotz, Happie Hoffman and Evan
Kline were elected to the executive board of the leading worldwide pluralistic Jewish
teen movement in front of more than 750 teen leaders at BBYO's largestever International
Convention, held in Long Branch, NJ. Having three teens elected from one city
is unprecedented.
Trotz, who will graduate from Ridgeway High School this spring, will defer her first year of college to serve as BBG's International President assisting Jewish high school students in creating strong, dynamic programming; modeling leadership; representing teens at major communal gatherings; and encouraging involvement in the broad spectrum of Jewish life and activities.
"My top priorities as International N'siah are to continue involving as many members as possible, to strengthen programming across BBYO and to actively engage ourselves in tikkun olam: repairing the world," said Trotz, daughter of Blair and Eric Trotz. "I plan on working closely with the International Boards, reaching out to members across the world and working to make the Jewish future stronger."
This commitment to the Jewish future is becoming more and more prevalent in Memphis as BBYO here continues to become stronger. Last year, Memphis BBYO sent more teens than ever before to Israel on BBYO summer trips, raised over $21,000 in philanthropic funds for a variety of causes, participated in J-Serve (a national day of Jewish teen community service), and is currently partnering with MeFTY to build a Habitat for Humanity home. The three teens on the International Board will certainly help to raise the commitment and dedication of Memphis BBYO teens, and it is an honor to have a Memphis teen playing the lead role on the national stage.
"Emily is among the top teen leaders I have observed first-hand during my professional tenure with the organization," said BBYO Southeast Area Executive Director Judith Rosenberg. "She is incredibly organized and hard-working, mature, genuine, caring and articulate. She is passionate about Judaism, Israel and social activism, and inspires this type of Jewish involvement and passion in others."
Happie Hoffman, daughter of Ron and Stephanie Hoffman, and Evan Kline, son of Pam Kline and Alan Kline, echo Trotz's sentiment on the role of tikkun olam in BBYO, recognizing that as a Jewish youth movement of more than 26,000 people they can make a difference.
"BBYO has made me realize that my voice matters, and I have the power to make a difference in the world," stated Kline.
"BBYO has given me the ability to share Judaism and its values of service, something so special to me," agreed Hoffman. "Did you know that we donated $115,000 teen-raised dollars to the JDC in the past two years? How can we share that with the world?"
The three teens are stepping into their roles as BBYO leaders at just the right time. The organization has more than doubled its number of participants in just the last five years. It has revamped its alumni efforts launching Friends & Alumni Network across North America, expanded its Jewish teen travel program to five continents, launched programs to help teens with the college admissions process and created dozens of online initiatives to engage Jewish teens where they are already spending much of their time.
"BBYO is the most important thing a young teen can be involved in," said Trotz. "Being involved in this organization has not only made me a stronger individual, but a woman with high goals, distinct values and strong opinions."
In addition to Trotz and Hoffman, the other international BBG leaders include: VP Programming, Jeni Willenzik (Charlotte, NC); VP Membership, Ilana Avergun (Potomac, MD); and Secretary & Treasurer, Mara Hahn (Knoxville, TN).
In addition to Kline, the new international AZA leaders include: International President, Adam Bloom (Wilmington, DE); VP Membership, Jason Steinberg (Oceanside, NY); V.P. Israel Education and Social Action, Saul Brodsky of Norfolk, VA); and Secretary & Treasurer, Josh Harendorf (Toronto, Ontario).
"Emily, Evan and Happie have all raised the bar when it comes to teen leadership and inspiring and motivating their peers," remarked Debra Olswing, Memphis BBYO Program Director. "The Memphis Jewish community should all share in this honor."
Visit bbyo.org or contact the Memphis BBYO office at 901.767.7440.
Avery Budman is the Marketing and Communications Manager of BBYO, Inc.
