MISSION STATEMENT OF THE B'NAI B'RITH YOUTH ORGANIZATION

The B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) is a youth led, worldwide organization which provides opportunities for Jewish youth to develop their leadership potential, a positive Jewish identity and commitment to their personal development. The youth participate in democratically functioning small groups under the guidance of adult advisors and professional staff.    

The objectives of the organization are as follows:   

To help Jewish youth enhance their knowledge and appreciation of Jewish religion and culture by discovering those aspects which are meaningful to them. 

To provide Jewish youth with the opportunities to learn leadership skills and develop their leadership potential to their fullest capabilities. 

To help Jewish youth recognize opportunities for service and encourage involvement in B'nai B'rith, B'nai B'rith Women and in the Jewish and the general community. 

To develop in Jewish youth an appreciation of the meaning and practice of T'zedakah both in the Jewish and the general community. 

To help Jewish youth develop a commitment to the State of Israel and K'lal Yisrael. 

To help Jewish youth develop a positive self-image. 

To encourage the development of friendships with other Jewish youth. 

The B'nai B'rith Youth Organization consists of three youth components designed to provide leisure-time programs of Jewish education, leadership, community service and recreation:   

• Aleph Zadik Aleph for ninth through twelfth grade boys 
• B'nai B'rith Girls for ninth through twelfth grade girls 
• B'nai B'rith Teen Connection for seventh and eighth grade boys and girls. 

BBYO provides Jewish living and learning experiences for Jewish teenagers. Programs include holiday celebrations, religious services, inter-faith activities, institutes and seminars, music and dramatics, speech contests and athletic contests. BBYO operates youth camps in Starlight, Pennsylvania and in Mukwonago, Wisconsin that are used for Judaism programs and youth leadership training. The camps, with separate annual budgets are self-sustained. A summer exchange program for members for study and work in Israel is sponsored, with Israeli teenagers sent to the United States for a similar experience.   

The International office of BBYO is responsible for personnel, budget, standard-setting, publication of "Shofar", "The Commish", an advisor newsletter, Judaism pamphlets and other program aids. Most programming takes place on the local level. Great reliance is placed upon 1,500 volunteer advisors to chapters with recruitment and training of volunteers conducted by professional staff.  BBYO conceives of itself as a community-wide, non-ideological service open to all Jewish youth, without regard to the possible affiliation of parents to B'nai B'rith. About one-third of the BBYO chapters meet in Jewish Community Centers. BBYO estimates that one-fourth of its chapters are in small communities without Center or Synagogue youth programs.