feature

by Sam Gringlas

Jeremy

Sherman,

spreading the word

17, was

West Bloomfield's Jeremy Sherman elected AZA international president.

International

7 his year, elections at B'nai
B'rith Youth Organiza-
-, tion's International Con-
vention in Dallas held added im-
portance for Michigan Region.
Jeremy Sherman, 17, of West
Bloomfield was elected Grand Aleph
Godol, BBYO's male international
president. He is the third from Mich-
igan, following Richard Hideman
in 1964-65 and Jason Porth from
1991-92. Sherman is a senior at West
Bloomfield High School and the son
of Fanny and Jeffrey Sherman and
brother of Jonathan and Stefanie.
Twenty-two Michigan teens joined
more than 700 Jewish peers from
across the world at the Feb. 11-15
convention where they voted for the
incoming teen-led international board
— one for AZA boys and BBG girls.
Sherman will defer college for
a year to travel to BBYO regions
across the world, along with his new-
ly elected BBG counterpart Arielle

Braude of Cherry Hill, NJ., and lead
BBYO's 28,000 Jewish teen mem-
bers. Michigan Region has 20 chap-
ters, with 1,200 teens involved.
Eric Adelman, Michigan Region
BBYO director, said, "I am incred-
ibly proud of Jeremy, who will do a
remarkable job in this new position.
BBYO trains the Jewish leaders of to-
morrow and Jeremy is a shining ex-
ample of our success."
Sherman reflects on his new role:

What does this honor mean to you?

"Just four short years ago, my friends
and I started a chapter named Max
Fisher AZA. We worked hard to keep
the chapter afloat, and with the dedi-
cation and passion we had, we were
able to grow it into one of the largest
in Michigan Region.
"Being elected international presi-
dent and having the opportunity to
serve BBYO for another year means
more to me than anyone could ever

elected AZA

understand. When I look back, I am
shocked at just how far I have come.
"This next year will mean the
chance to inspire and motivate other
leaders throughout BBYO and to
connect with other young Jews and
experience something so few people
have the opportunity to experience."

What do think BBYO can achieve?

"First, I really want to see every
BBYO community continue to grow
and involve more teens in various
leadership experiences. As a move-
ment, we are already a powerful force
worldwide. Imagine an even larger
group of passionate Jewish leaders
impacting and making a difference
in communities across the globe.
"Secondly, I want to see BBYO
once again become a true global
organization. If we rekindle those
worldwide relationships and build
Jewish teenage leadership in places
outside North America, BBYO can

president. He

will visit BBYO

teens across

the world.

achieve much greater things and af-
fect so many more people."

What will be your message to teens?

"If there's one thing I've learned in
four years of BBYO, it's that I have
a voice. I've learned that no matter
how young someone is, they still
have a voice and they can still make
a true impact in the world. I hope to
bring this message as I travel across
the globe and meet Jewish teens.
I hope I can inspire them to get in-
volved, speak their minds and make
a difference in their community. The
possibilities are endless."

Why is BBYO so meaningful to you?

I would not be the leader, the teen
or the Jew I am today if not for this
continued on page TT4

teens in action

by Molly Goldmeier

defend your country

model U.N. allows Akiva students to explore social and political issues.

C

aucusing, motioning and de-
, bating. It was a busy week for
the 10 delegates from Akiva
Hebrew Day School in Southfield
at the Yeshiva University National
Model United Nations (YUNMUN)
in Stamford, Conn.
In celebration of the 20th anniver-
sary of this conference, YU organized
an exhilarating, educational program.
From Feb. 21-23, Akiva students rep-
resented Mexico and Zimbabwe as
part of this United Nations confer-
ence simulation. Delegates were di-
vided into various committees such
as World Food Organization (WFO),
World Health Organization (WHO),
Security Council and International
Labor Organization (ILO), among
many others.
Throughout five intense commit-
tee sessions, delegates debated cur-
rent political and social issues. In

addition to dealing with the topics
they had researched, delegates were
challenged by a "spontaneous" crisis
that arose and needed to be resolved
immediately. As in past years, this
spontaneous crisis was relevant to the
committees' work as well as to today's
world problems, but was a surprise to
the participating delegates.
Months of preparation with chap-
erone and Akiva high school assistant
principal for general studies Kathy
Sklar proved to be very rewarding.
Sophomore Elizabeth Kirshner, a
first-timer at the conference, won a
honorable mention in her committee.
She served as a delegate for Mexico
on the United Nations Committee on
Discrimination.
"Before the conference, I was ner-
vous and did not know what to ex-
pect," she said. "From the moment I
walked into the hotel, I realized that

the conference was
very well organized
and unlike anything
I've ever experi-
enced before. It was
really interesting
to meet other teens
passionate about Akiva delegation: front, senior Ruthle Lehmann; middle, junior
current world issues. Gabe Faber, freshman Hannah Korelltz, senior Eryn Fox, sophomore
It was so cool to be Elizabeth Kirshner, junior Dovi Nadel; top, freshman Joey Jubas,
exposed to different seniors Molly Goldmeler and Noa Jerusalem, freshman Elana
opinions and learn Greenbaum
how to think from a
different standpoint by defending my were beaming with pride.
Akiva certainly made an unforget-
country."
table
impression at Yeshiva Universi-
YUNMUN has been in operation
since 1990; this was Kathy Sklar's ty's 20th model United Nations con-
ference!
19th year in attendance. Richard Joel,
president of Yeshiva University, pre-
sented her with an award for being a
chaperone at this conference for the
Molly Goldmeler, 17, Is a
longest amount of time. Needless
senior at Akiva Hebrew
Day School in Southfield.
to say, all the Akiva representatives

teen2teen March 18.2010 TT3

