By Jessica Davis, JTNews Correspondent
More than 130 of the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization’s members, representing Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, Eugene and Anchorage, attended the Evergreen regional conference, May 7-9 in Lincoln City, Ore. Attendance increased by 25 percent from last year.
The weekend conference included youth-led Shabbat services, teamwork and Double Dare programs, state-of-the-union addresses and an election for new regional board members.
Aaron Norr was elected the new regional boys’ president, while Liz Rickles was elected the new regional girls’ president. Seniors also passed on their legacies to individual members.
Two members from Portland earned international recognition at an awards banquet. Jessica Schlesinger received the Silver Star of Deborah, and Anna Labadie received the Gold Star of Deborah. The conference concluded with a dance.
“The teens just raved about it. They had a great time,” said Evergreen Regional Director Matt Lemchen.
BBYO is open to youth in grades 9-12. In the spring, 8th-graders are invited to join. The Evergreen Region includes Washington, Oregon, Alaska and British Columbia. Idaho and Montana are a part of the region, but currently no members come from those states.
Membership is growing steadily, according to Lemchen, who said there were about 220 members in June 2003 and now there are 300 members.
“It’s very wholesome,” Lemchen said of BBYO. “Those who take advantage of it get so much out of the program.”
About 25 percent of the members take a leadership role within BBYO, he added. Lemchen was a member of BBYO as well as United Synagogue Youth when he was in high school. He grew up attending Conservative Congregation Herzl-Ner Tamid.
Lemchen gave members constant updates on who was registering for the conference, up to two months in advance.
“I want them to feel they own every aspect of this program to make it successful,” said Lemchen. This was his first convention since he started working with BBYO in January.
“It’s a very valid position in this community and it’s a very important role that I’m playing,” he said.
Members also collaborated in sharing ideas for the next convention, he added.
“I was blown away with their spirit and enthusiasm,” said Lemchen. “There was such a sense of connection.”
BBYO’s next conference is the Jewish Education Conference Oct. 15-17 at Camp Solomon Schechter in Tumwater. Members will talk more about leadership and programming on such topics as Israel awareness and Judaism.
For more information about BBYO, contact Matt Lemchen at 206-232-7115, ext. 241 or [email protected]