Updates from Naples and Fort Myers BBYO

By Cayla Schreier, BBYO Southwest Coordinator

The Fall 2024 term has come to an end, providing fond memories for our teens, who are excited to see what the spring 2025 term has in store.

Naples BBYO participated in BBYO’s annual Giving Tuesday in December. While BBYO Giving Tuesday has already taken place, we always welcome continuous donations and support for the Naples BBYO chapter to ensure that there will always be a place in the local Naples community for Jewish teens to connect and feel supported.

Naples BBYO held elections in December for the spring 2025 Naples BBYO Board, electing the following BBYO Naples members to carry out these roles for their spring 2025 Chapter Board: N’siah (President) –Mimi Goldberg; S’ganit (Programming) – Emily Schaab; Sh’licha (Jewish Enrichment) – Brooke Glick; Mazkirah (Secretary) – MJ Solomon; and Moreh (Membership) – Noah Tsipursky.

Our chapters hosted their local Shabbat dinner during BBYO’s Global Shabbat, which included an awards ceremony for two BBYO alumni and a member of the Naples BBYO Board of Directors. Attendees saw the Naples BBYO chapter Board lead the candle lighting, hamotzi and blessing over the grape juice. All those who attended enjoyed a delicious pasta dinner.

These individuals’ names were engraved in the Naples BBYO Hall of Fame plaque and were given personalized pen sets to recognize their outstanding service to Naples BBYO:

• Kylie Bell – previous N’siah of North Florida Region BBYO and Naples BBYO

• Bella Schaab – previous N’siah of Naples BBYO

• Michael Feldman – long-time supporter of Naples BBYO and current member of Naples BBYO Board of Directors. Our chapter had a table at this year’s community-wide Chanukah Celebration at Mercato on the Lawn in Naples. We were excited to get involved with the Greater Naples Jewish community for such a fun event.

Upcoming events

Please keep an eye out for emails regarding all upcoming Naples and Fort Myers BBYO events.

What is BBYO?

BBYO is a diverse and inclusive Jewish youth group to encourage Jewish teens to become more immersed and interested in meaningful Jewish activities and programs. This organization accepts Jewish teens attending 8th through 12th grades of all backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender, race, denominational affiliation or socioeconomic status.

Supporting our teenage Jewish community

Having teens get involved in BBYO and be eager to create and confidently continue their own Jewish community is critical to our future.

The BBYO chapter of Naples has entered its 11th year of partnership with Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, Temple Shalom, Chabad of Naples and Beth Tikvah. Each organization provides financial support, volunteers and community involvement opportunities. We thank each and every one of our BBYO Alum, friends and other supporters for making this a safe and positive environment for the teens of BBYO Naples and Fort Myers.

If you know of someone who has a teen who might like to join BBYO Naples or Fort Myers or know of someone who may want to be an advisor to our chapters, please email me at cschreier@bbyo.org. You can also follow us on Instagram: @ Mishpacha_BBG and @Negevaza.

Scholarships to attend BBYO conventions and summer programs are available. Please contact me for more information on scholarships. If you are a BBYO Alum and would like to be included in our Friends and Alumni of BBYO mailing list, please email us at mjs0821@aol.com.