Saluting Jay Bassin, My Advisor

by Gabe Craig, Aleph Godol, Greenberg AZA

The first time I met Jason Todd Bassin, he was standing in a corner in a
suit that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe. "Hey," I asked,
"who's that guy over there in the corner?" "Oh him?" the guy next to
me replied, "That's Jay, our chapter advisor."
Jay works at Great Lakes Health Plan, the second largest
Medicare/Medicaid provider in Michigan, as manager of operations. He
holds a job with stature and is well-respected by his employees and
throughout the community. Despite all of his commitments, Jay
makes time in his busy schedule for me and 38 other teenage boys as
the advisor to our chapter, Hank Greenberg AZA, and as he puts it, "If
you're going to be an advisor, you do it all-out!"
At the ripe old age
of 28, Jay looks as
though he is in his
early 40's and has the
wisdom and foresight
of most people twice
his age. I've had the
privilege of knowing
Jay for just over four
years, and in that
time he has become
my mentor, friend,
and brother.
In my past I've had some tough times in my family life. These
experiences have affected me deeply. Jay has dealt with his own
family problems as well. Instead of crumbling when his mom was
diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, Jay took an active role on the
planning board of the MS Walk in our community. Jay tackles
problems head-on. He has taught me how to deal with problems in
life by facing them and not running from them.

"Not a politician, not a
parent, not a teacher, not
a rabbi, just an average
guy being a role model."

A long time ago Jay posed a question to me. "Can you really teach
someone to be a better person or do they have to do that on their
own?" This changed me forever. Jay has helped me to become an
independent thinker and a doer as opposed to a talker. Jay has
inspired me to achieve my goals, not because I want to live up to his
expectations, or because I want to impress him, but because he is
probably the only person in my life that truly believes in me and my
capabilities. I have achieved my goals for myself with Jay's support
and wisdom.
A long time ago my parents instilled in me the morals and values that
I have carried with me every day since. It is uplifting to meet
someone who upholds those values and is on the same level as me.
Not a politician, not a parent, not a teacher, not a rabbi, just an
average guy being a role model.
Each day I wake up a better person for having known Jay Bassin, and
the best lesson of all that he has taught me is that we are all on this
earth a short time so make the most of each day that you are alive.
Thank you, Jay, for making an impact on each and every person in Hank
Greenberg AZA. As long as you keep advising, you will continue to change
people's lives the same way that you have changed mine.

13131'0 Honors Its Volunteers

This year's Advisor Recognition Night was held March 26 at
Congregation Beth Ahm. The program was sponsored by the
BBYO Board, B'nai B'rith Great Lakes Region, and Zeiger Lodge.

Steve Rotenberg (L) and Ilene
Lubin (R), BBYO Board
members, present an advisor
gift to Andy Gutman, Advisor to
Evan Shapiro AZA in West
Bloomfield, along with chapter
president Eric Hoffman.

Gold Medal
Advisors were
honored at the
ceremony, which
was attended by
130 BBYOers,
Board members,
and staff: Front L
to R: Eva Soltan,
Debbie Ornstein.
Second Row: Jill
Rosenfeld, Robyn
Berlin. Third Row:
Sara Weingarden,
Heidi Hes, Carin
Rockind. Rear:
David Kelman,
Josh Alpert, Jay
Bassin, Andy
Gutman, Steve
Lotzoff.

The Search for That Special Someone:
The AZA/BBG Chapter Advisor

"Advisors are the lifeblood of the chapter," says Micky Rosner, who
is chairing BBYO's Advisor Recruitment Committee. Micky, who
served 18 years as Rose AZA advisor, points out that the best chapters
are those with active advisors - volunteer adults who help plan and
supervise BBYO activities. "A very effective advisor is one who is
visible," he says.
An advisor is "someone who feels good working with teens, giving
of themselves. You need to be a great listener and have patience.
Advisors have a support system; they are not alone," Micky points
out. The BBYO staff offer supervision and the Advisor Association
offers support and social activities, providing a way to make new
friends. In fact, there have been several couples who met as BBYO
advisors and later married.
Chapter advisors often are BBYO alumni who were active as teens.
However, BBYO experience is not required. In fact, Micky notes, he was
not a particularly active AZA member, and his wife Jan, who was a BBG
advisor for 10 years, was not in BBG. Advisors need to be at least 22
years old (out of the program for four years) but there is no upper age
limit. Micky says that "empty nesters" could make good advisors. Interest
in working with teens, time and energy are the main requirements.
Efforts to re-connect with BBYO alumni are ongoing, since often
they are motivated to "give back" to BBYO. Chapter advisors agree
that their work with AZA/BBG is a "feel good" experience. If you or
someone you know is interested in being a volunteer advisor, please
contact Arnie Weiner at BBYO at 248-788-0700.

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