Rekindling BBYO Ann Arbor youth group is restarted to provide opportunities for Jewish teens. YOUR r r LETS SOURCtFOR: Ahava Products Apparel Artwork Bar/Bat Mitzvah Items Books Chatchkes & Keepsakes Children's Products Computer Software Health Care Holiday Store Jewelry Jewish Newspapers Jewish Stitchery Jewish Themed Cards JNF Trees for Israel Judaica Kosher Gift Baskets Music Products from Israel Videos Wedding Gifts www.jewish.corn 1-800-875-6621 ,;:rm 8/15 2003 80 KAREN SCHWARTZ Special to the Jewish News was excited to see the enthusiasm and support the project was gaining. "I just want to see this thing take off," he said. Ann Arbor nn Arbor resident Barry Margolis remembers being involved in the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization dur- ing his high school years. Good Start News of the chapter spread by word of mouth, and 14 stu- dents registered in May, including the Margolis' daughter, Erin, 14, who will be a freshman at Pioneer this year. The members selected Echad BBYO as the chapter's name. They have nominated officers, and now they are looking for- He met people who are still his friends and he developed ward to programming for the fall, which starts with a kickoff leadership skills he said have helped him succeed in his busi- barbecue for prospective members Sept. 7. ness and in the community. David Zimet, 15, said he had good experiences with Teen Margolis fondly recalls the variety of opportunities available Connection, a Michigan BBYO and Jewish Community to him as a BBYO member — from attending conventions to Center program that organizes events for Jewish seventh- and leadership training to meeting other Jewish youth — opportu- eighth-graders, so he decided he would try out BBYO. nities he wants for his own three children. "We're having fun starting out and I think we're going to do So now he's reactivating an Ann Arbor BBYO chapter to great," he said. provide those opportunities. When the local BBYO group Although several other Jewish youth groups are available to folded because of low participation last year, his son, Benny, students from the area, he likes that BBYO welcomes Jewish 16 and a senior at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, joined students regardless of affiliation. Hank Greenberg AZA #151, which draws the majority of its "I think it's a great idea that it involves all members of membership from the West Bloomfield-Farmington Hills area. Judaism, not just Reform or Conservative or AZA (Aleph Zadik Aleph), the boys' component of whatever, and that was a plus for me," he BBYO, is complemented by the girls' element, said. BBG (B'nai B'rith Girls). Zimet added that he looks forward "I thought I'd see if there was some- to the chapter's growth and success thing we could do," said Margolis, and to the overall experience. who wants his ninth-grade daughter "It's about meeting new Jewish to have the chance to have the friends and doing social activi- BBYO experience as well. Benny ties and helping in the com- will remain with the Greenberg munity and just basically hav- chapter. ing fun with other Jewish Margolis and his wife, Elaine, teens," he said. began calling family friends to Amy Zimmerman, advisor discuss what a new chapter for Echad BBYO #5093, said could offer their teens. she believes in the impact Informational meetings for par- BBYO can have on partici- ents and students began in pants' lives. Having participated February. in BBYO for four years prior to It takes 12 students to start a taking on a role as an adviser, she chapter, and established chapters are said she recognizes the value of the expected to hold programs at least organization and how rewarding it once a month, meeting regularly and The Margolis family, seated: Elaine, Dana can be for individuals and youth. attending regional events, said Michigan and Barry; standing: Erin and Benny. "I hope that this group will be able BBYO Associate Director Tara to touch more youths' lives in Ann Kaufman. Arbor," she said. "It's very well known and very popu- Kaufman said successful chapters are, in large part, lar in the Detroit area, but I fed like in Ann Arbor there's a lot made up of strong leadership and dedicated members interest- ed in being involved as well as working to inspire others. As far of youth who have yet to experience all the opportunities that BBYO has to offer, and I've seen how it can change someone's as the new group is concerned, Kaufman said it looks promis- life — how it has changed my own life," she said. ing. "This chapter being located in Ann Arbor is a wonderful "We're really excited; they're just a really good group of lead- way for youth to meet other Jewish youth from the area as ership kids," she said. well as the Detroit area. It allows you to have lifetime friends Margolis, who worked with Michigan BBYO regional direc- across the state and across the nation," she said. I I tors to plan and organize the chapter's development, said he Interested in joining BBYO or attending the kickoff picnic? Call Barry Margolis at (734) 482-0676. 248-304-6704 "v,„ \ • •