The ONR BBYO
Alphabet Book
A complete A-Z guide for the Girls of…
Star of David BBG #673
Made with love by Samantha Michelle Broad
2009/2010Fall/Winter Mit Mom of Star of David BBG
A is for…
AZA- AZAs are the boys in BBYO.In 1923 in OmahaNebraska, a group of fifteen 16 year-old boys organized a club they called the “Aleph Zadik Aleph”. They used these Hebrew letters instead of borrowing from the Greek Alphabet. The three Hebrew letters later came to represent the motto of the AZA.
Aleph: Ahavah—Brotherly Love
Zadik: T’zedakah-Benevolence
Aleph: Achdoos-Harmony
Aym-Ha Chaverot-(also knows as Mit Mom.)Orients new members, chapter members, and parents on the principles, history, traditions, rituals, folds, and policies of BBYO, coordinates the chapter’s recruitment efforts, responsible for keeping all of the members active, comfortable, and educated.
Advisor- responsible adults over 21 who are still dedicated to BBYO and volunteer their time to be a “parent-like figure” to a particular chapter. They come to all the chapter’s events and make sure things are “kosher” and running smoothly.
AIT- stands for “Aleph in Training”. These are the AZAs who are new to BBYO.
AIT/MIT New Member’s Weekend (AKA Josh Mendelsohn New Member Weekend) - This is a convention specifically made for new BBYO members. Here, new members are inducted into their region and have their first chance to meet other BBYOers from other chapters in their region.
Anita Perlman- A woman who played a vital role in the formation of BBG as a national organization.
B is for…
BBYO-The B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO) is an independent Jewish youth group for teenagers in high school. BBYO is the world's only independent, international, pluralistic Jewish youth group for high school teenagers. BBYO is unique amongst its peers in its organization into local fraternity- and sorority-like chapters. Male chapters are known as AZA chapters, and female chapters as BBG chapters; AZA and BBG began independently before being united as brother and sister organizations under B'nai B'rith. Membership to BBYO is open to any high schooler in high school who identifies as a Jew. BBYO's mission is, "More Jewish teens, more meaningful Jewish experiences." The organization's uniqueness stems from its youth leadership model, in which teen leaders are elected by their peers on a local, regional and international level, and are given the opportunity to make their own programmatic decisions. BBYO is now known as BBYO Inc., and as a Youth Movement.
BBG- stands for “B’nai B’rith Girls”: BBGs are the girls in BBYO.
Business Meeting- Chapters have bi-weekly business meetings on Sunday nights usually held at the JCC. At business meetings, chapters talk about upcoming events and what is going on in their chapter and region. Business meetings are run by the N’siah (president) and under Parliamentary Procedure using Robert’s Rules or Order.
Board- Each chapter has an executive board. The board does all of the backstage work to help their chapter succeed. Board members are chosen at elections, which are held twice a year.Each board member serves a 6 month term. They can re-run as many times as they would like.
These are the positions on aboard:
N’siah (president)
S’ganit (programming)
Mit Mom (membership)
Sh’licha (Judaism)
Gizborit (Treasurer)
Mazkirah (communication)
Katvanit (secretary)
Orechet (newspaper)
Safranit (spirit)
Madricha (past president)
Blue Book- a “Blue Book” is a nickname for the B’nai Brith Girl’s Member’s Manual. The manual contains BBYO and BBG history, Programming, Rituals and Procedures, and other information. If you would like a copy you can get one from the BBYO office.
B-linked- is your connection to the largest online network exclusively for Jewish teens. You can make an account and a personal page. You go go on this website to pay for conventions and other BBYO events. You can look anything you want to know about BBYO such as its history, to information about summer programs on this website!
Beresheit BBG- a chapter in Cleveland.
B'not Shalom BBG- a chapter in Toledo.
Brown Smullin Neufeld AZA- a chapter in Toledo.
Beau- Some chapters elect their favorite AZAs as their Beaus. Their beau bakes the chapter special treats and is allowed to come to some of their programs.
C is for…
Caucus- If a member wants to run for a board position, she will have to “caucus” for it in advanced, which means she will have to tell the leader of the chapter that she wants to run for a board position. In BBYO we have “closed caucusing” which means that the candidates can not openly discuss what they are running for, details about elections, and they can not politic.
Code of Conduct- the BBYO member Code of Conduct can be found online or in the Members’ Manual (Blue Book.)
Constitution- All chapters have constitutions that outline their operations. While they may vary somewhat, they are all based on the International Constitution of the B’nai B’rith Girls. Chapter constitutions cannot conflict in any way with the international or regional constitution, or with any policies made by the local or international staff.
Convention-weekend getaways with other chapters from the Region. Our region is ONR: Ohio Northern Region and includes chapters from Cleveland, Canton, Akron, Youngstown, and Toledo.
ONR has 5 Conventions a year.
- Fall Kickoff: this convention is held in the Fall and kicks off the year
- Leadership Training Institute (LTI): this convention is to teach the members of the chapter boards leadership
- Kallah: this is held in the winter and is a Judaism based convention
4. Regional Convention (RC): this is the largest convention held in the spring and is when the Regional Board is elected
5. New Member Weekend (AIT-MIT): this convention is held is the early summer and is for new members to be inducted into the Region
Color- each chapter has a color(s). Star’s colors are purple and gray! ONR’s colors are red and white.
Chapter- Chapters are fraternity- and sorority-like. Depending on where you live and what chapter you choose, chapters are anywhere from 10-50+ members. Chapters are safe havens where a teen finds their “brothers or sisters”. Chapters regularly meet and have meetings and programs.
CLTC- Chapter Leadership Training Camp- CLTC is a dynamic 12 day BBYO camp. There are 7 CLTC sessions held each summer, some housed at CampBeber in WI, others at the AmericanHebrewAcademy in NC. At CLTC you will learn leadership skills that you will not only use in BBYO, but outside of it too. At CLTC you will meet 100 other teens just like you from around the country. They will become best friends that will last a lifetime!
Council- Some states are not big enough to make a “Region” so they are called councils.
Chairwoman- a chapter member that is not on board but helps a board member with specific tasks.
Chaia BBG- a chapter in Cleveland.
Cat in the Hat- The mascot of our region.
Cheers-There are international BBG and AZA cheers, as well as chapter cheers. Cheers are sung at conventions and at programs. The most popular international BBG cheers are, “We Pledge To Thee”, “Identity”, and the “BBG Pep Song”. If you would like the lyrics, they can be found in the Blue Book or online.
Candle- Not only do we use candles on Shabbat and for Havdallah, but the candle is a symbol in BBYO. When inducted into the region, international order, chapter, or chapter board, one is given a candle to cherish and keep their BBYO “flame” burning.
D is for…
Dates:
1927-The first permanent Chapter of what is now B’nai B’rith Girls was organized in December, 1927 in San Francisco.
1944-November 10, 1944 saw the newly recognized national organization became of part of the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization.
1945- On February 23, 1945, the first national Convention was held in Chicago, Illinois by Anita Perlman. The menorah pledge was adopted along with the menorah as our symbol and the opening rituals were prepared.
Dashboard- a website for chapter board members. It is a one-stop-shop for data, reports, communications,counterpart resources, AZA & BBG business informationand much more.
David Ben Gurion AZA- a chapter in Toledo.
David Berger AZA- a chapter in Cleveland.
Dodi Li BBG- a chapter in Youngstown.
Dossier- chapter members who want to run for a board poison have to fill out a dossier. It is a place where the candidate can list qualifications, ideas, etc, that pertains to the board position for which she desires. The dossier is read before the member reads her speech.
E is for…
Elections- On the chapter level, elections are held twice a year, once in the fall, and once in the summer. Girls can run for board position at elections. Elections are run under parliamentary procedure using Robert’s Rules of Order. Elections are held at RC (Regional Convention) in March to elect the Regional Board, which serves a full year term. Any chapter member that goes to chapter elections can vote. Only board members can vote at regional elections.
Exodus AZA- a chapter in Cleveland
F is for…
Folds- The six folds are objectives that we base our programs and activities around. They help keep our programs diverse and focused.
The six folds are:
Jewish Heritage: This fold deals with the past, present, and future of Judaism and Judaic experiences. It also deals with holidays, culture,the State of Israel, and traditions we follow.
Recreation: The recreation fold gives the chance to get to your feet and having fun! This foldgives members the opportunity have fun with their sister BBGs.
Community Service: BBG stresses the importance of tikun olam, repairing the world. You can perform community service directly (being a volunteer at a nursing home) or indirect (raising money for a cause or holding a canned food drive). Either way, you're doing your part to help the world.
Social Action: This fold teaches members about society and what's happening in the world. We, as B'nai B'rith Girls, "recognize our obligation to society." Social Action helps us to bring a positive change to our world, and to make a difference.
Creativity: This fold allows BBGs to expand their horizons, as well as widen their talents and abilities. Creativity programs allow members to express themselves.
Sisterhood: Sisterhood is more than a fold. It's what binds us together as BBGs. This fold secures the bonds of enthusiasm we have for this organization and for each other. It can also deal with issues we might face as women.
Fall Kickoff- This convention is held in the fall and “kicks off” the year.
Flame-A member’s “BBYO Flame” is the person that a member looks up to as a mentor, friend, and leader.
Frieda Tischler- The first national president of BBG.
Fun/Friendship- The most important aspects of BBYO.
Friendship Circle-At the end of a function, everyone forms a circle. At conventions, coordinators are given the opportunity to talk about the convention. Friendship Circles are usually followed by a cheering session. This creates sisterhood and friendship.
G is for…
Gizborit- in charge of chapter finances, responsible for auditing the checking account, collects chapter dues, coordinates chapter fundraisers, and educates the chapter members on donating money to good causes.
Gavel- a tool the N’siah uses to call order in meetings
Good-and- Welfare- a special time where chapter members sit in a circle around a candle and each person gets to express anything that is on their mind.
Genesis AZA- a chapter in Cleveland.
Gideon AZA- a chapter in Cleveland.
H is for…
Hatikvah BBG- a chapter in Cleveland.
Hillel BBG- a chapter in Akron.
I is for…
IC- International Convention. IC is a convention open to every teen in BBYO. IC is held in a different city in the USA every year and it takes place every year during presidents day weekend. AT IC you will meet teens all over the international order in BBYO and will have the chance to see elections on the international level.
ILTC- International Leadership Training Conference. This summer program is designed for upcoming 11th and 12th graders who are or aspire to be council, regional and international leaders. Teens participate from North America, Bulgaria, Europe and Israel.
ILSI-International Leadership Seminar Israel. ILSI is BBYO Passport'sleadership and enrichment program in Israel designed for BBYO members. Unlike traditional Israel tours, ILSI is about connecting to Israel on a deeper level. Participants interact with a variety of different speakers, artists, religious figures, and people who have shaped – and continue to shape – Israel’s future. One of the most special aspects of the ILSI experience is that teens from North America are paired up with Jewish teens from Bulgaria as well as from Israel.
International Board- Just like every chapter and a region has a board, a board is elected at IC (International Convention) every February to elect board members who represent BBYO on the international level.
International BBYO-In addition to the United States, BBYO has affiliates in Bulgaria, Canada, England, France, Ireland and Israel.
Inductions-This ceremony is used to officially bring MITs into the Chapter of Region. It signifies that MITs have successfully completed their training and are
ready to assume the responsibilities of a chapter member, such as
wearing a pin and voting.
Installations- After the election of new officers, this ceremony is planned to officially install the officer into her position as well as to discharge the old officer.
J is for…
Jewish- BBYO brings together Jewish teens. BBYO is pluralistic, meaning that it honors all sects of Judaism from reserved-orthodox.
Junior Senior Weekend- a convention for Juniors and Seniors in BBYO.
Josh Mendlsohn- Josh was an active member of Exodus AZA..While in BBYO, he died of cancer. AIT/MIT was named after Josh to honor him.
K is for…
Kallah (regional)- A convention in the winter time based around Judaism.
Kallah (international)- A summer program which offersa deep Judaic experience in which participants are given the opportunity to explore their own Jewish identity and engage with spirituality, culture and religion.
Katvanit-Responsible for taking minutes (notes) at meetings; must send minutes into the regional office, makes creative minutes to display chapter meeting notes.
L is for…
Leadership- Every teen in BBYO has the opportunity to become a leader. Members can plan programs, events, conventions, run for board, be a chairwoman, be on a committee, and so much more!
Life- Life membership is given to a graduating senior who has given her time and energy to BBG. Life is given on all levels of BBYO (Chaper/Region/International). The member receiving life usually has a set time to discuss her life in BBG and what is important to her. She passes down her old pins, shirts, and other BBYO memorabilia.
LTI- Leadership Training Institute. This convention is for the Fall/Winter board members. At this convention the board members will learn how to fulfill their position and help their chapter prosper for the new programming year.
M is for…
Mascot- each chapter has a mascot. Star’s is Betty Boop!
Menorah Pledge Principals-these are said at every meeting:
Citizenship—We pledge our devotion to our beloved country, who blessing we shall never take for granted. We shall guard zealously our democratic rights and shall fulfill our duties as citizens.
Jewish Heritage—We have a magnificent Jewish Heritage which has enriched the civilization of every land. We shall aim to become imbued with an understanding and a love of our Jewish culture so that we may be a conscious part of the people from whom we stem. We shall always strive to live up to the ideals which are the essence of Jewish religious faith.
Community Service—We recognize our responsibility to render selfless service as citizens of the community in which we live.
Philanthropy— We shall always be concerned with the underprivileged and the distressed. We shall offer our help to those in need, recognizing that the ability to help others is a blessing and a responsibility.
Inter-Faith Relations—We represent one of the faiths that make up the diverse pattern of the religious world. We shall learn to understand and respect our neighbors. We shall live as individuals and groups that we may reflect credit upon the Jewish people.
Tradition—We shall try to exemplify in our home the finest of Jewish family traditions.
Good Sisterhood - We make possible the warmth and the joy of good sisterhood through our association in chapters. We shall respect the rights of each member. We shall make our chapter a true example of democratic living so that companionship and friendship may endure.