Updates from Naples and Fort Myers BBYO

By Cayla Schreier, BBYO Southwest Coordinator

We hope everyone enjoyed a cool and refreshing summer.

Our Naples and Fort Myers teens spent their summers in different ways. Some went to summer camp, some worked summer jobs, some took classes and some enjoyed vacations. With summer winding down, and with the teens going back to school, the BBYO Chapter board has been taking their positions very seriously. The board members have started planning their upcoming fall 2024 events and promoting them through emails, texts and our Instagram accounts.

We hosted two Italian ice events during the summer for those who remained in the Southwest Florida area. Our Fort Myers teens were able to meet up on Wednesday, June 26 at Jeremiah’s Italian Ice and Custard in Fort Myers. Our Naples teens were able to meet up on Wednesday, July 24 at Rita’s Italian Ice in Naples. It was great to see the teens catch up, socialize, and cool off from the hot summer heat.

Naples BBYO’s first event, an iceskating event, was on Sunday, Aug. 25 at Hertz Arena. Teens skated, played games and hung out with their Naples and Fort Myers BBYO friends.

We have some exciting events coming up in September. On Sunday, Sept. 8, teens will have the opportunity to attend the North Florida Region’s Fall Kickoff in Sarasota. The teens will travel to the beach resort, Island Grand at TradeWinds, for lunch and access to the beach with lifeguards, swimming pools, hammocks, mini golf and so much more fun! The teens are excited to spend time with their other BBYO friends from across the region. Transportation for this event will be provided via charter buses. Details on pricing will follow.

Naples BBYO plans to hold a Shabbat dinner later in the month. The date and time are TBD. We will also host International Convention Launch Night on Wednesday, Oct. 9. The time and location are TBD. 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. BBYO currently reaches over 70,000 teens worldwide, with participants in over 60 countries and hundreds of chapters across the United States.

Supporting our teenage Jewish community

It is crucial to engage teens post-B’nai Mitzvah age in Jewish activities. Having teens get involved in BBYO and be eager to create and confidently continue their own Jewish community within their greater Jewish communities is critical to our future.

The BBYO chapter of Naples has entered its 11th year of partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, Temple Shalom, Chabad of Naples and Beth Tikvah. Each organization provides financial support, volunteers, and community involvement opportunities for the BBYO teens. 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 the Southwest Coordinator, Cayla Schreier, at cschreier@bbyo.org. You can also follow us on Instagram at Mishpacha_BBG and Negevaza.

Scholarships to attend BBYO conventions and summer programs are available through both the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples and the Temple Shalom Men’s Club. 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.