points of view
Commentary
BBYU Helps Pay It Forward
G
.11
Huge Savings on Ink and Toner Supplies
For all of your Printers, Copiers, and Fax Machines
$7.00
off the purchase of one inkjet cartridge
$11.00 off the purchase of one toner cartridge
Printer Model #
Printer Cartridge(s) #
Offer expires November 30, 2013
RAPID REFILLTM
PRINTING. SMARTER.
27601 Southfield Road, Lathru• Villa•e, MI 48076
When you need it now
Servicing all of Metro Detroit Area
Free Delivery on all orders over $50
27601 Southfield Road
Lathrup Village
248-423-1231
www.rapidrefill128.com
email:
128@rapidrefillink.net
Ivl F 8am 7pm
Sat 9am-5pm
Sun 10am-3pm
Follow us on Facebook
-
-
f Rapid Refill-Lathrup-Village
/61
BernardWealthManagement
Retirement Planning
Investment
Management
Financial Counseling
Kenneth M.Bernard,CFA, President
Your trusted partner for all financial issues.
28411 Northwestern Highway • Suite 200 • Southfield, Ml 48034
Office: 248-556-2900 • www.bernard-wealth.com
54390
I ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 248.351.5107
Keep your company top of mind with our readers.
Visit theJEWISHNEWS.com
56
November 7 • 2013
rowing up, I had always
been involved in many
extracurricular activi-
ties. The one I was most pas-
sionate about was BBYO. It
helped me with many aspects
of my life, gave me direction
and shaped me into a leader.
I developed strong leadership
skills, deepened my
Jewish connection
and made lifelong
:-
friends.
Fast forward five
years and I found
myself as an adviser
to the very chapter
that I was a founding
member of (Kulanu
BBG 14419). It has
been an incredible
journey to pay it for-
ward. It is one of the
best experiences I've
had as an adult.
One of the great attributes
of BBYO is the role that an
adviser takes. We empower
teens to reach their own poten-
tial. We support and advise; but
the strength of the BBYO mis-
sion is to allow young leaders
an opportunity to make smart
decisions that will help them
grow and succeed.
As advisers, we work in part-
nership with professional staff
to guide and provide insight
and perspective.
Being an adviser is such a
fun job, but it does have its
responsibilities. The coolest part
about BBYO is that it is a teen-
led organization; meaning as an
adviser, I am there to oversee
their programs, not plan them.
As a volunteer, I do what fits my
schedule. There is no set time
commitment, and my involve-
ment is flexible and varied.
I have taken an active role
with my chapter, planning and
participating in social, cultural
and religious events, commu-
nity service, social action, con-
ventions and weekend retreats.
I have been the "go to" person
when someone is overwhelmed
or a member simply needs
someone to talk to or bounce
ideas off of.
I feel I have taught these
teens a lot about what it takes
to be an effective leader. I have
witnessed young members build
character and confidence as
they become more active in
leadership roles. It is rewarding
to see them mature into com-
mitted strong individuals and
know that I played a role in this.
I believe many will look back at
their time in BBYO and attri-
bute a part of their success to
being active in BBG or AZA.
Blazing A Trail
Advising has opened
doors and led to other
opportunities for me.
I have staffed the
Jewish Community
Alternative Spring
Break program in
Belize and a two-week
BBYO summer expe-
rience in Wisconsin.
Another added perk
has been connecting
with other adult advis-
ers who want to help shape the
next generation of young Jewish
leaders. We get together every
few months both socially and
work related.
I also get to enjoy the com-
pany of other advisers at the
programs and events I attend
outside of our region. Just as
teens bounce ideas off of me, I
am able to bounce ideas off of
other advisers and use them as
a resource for myself and my
chapter.
I set out to give back to this
great organization that gave me
so much, but somewhere along
the way, I was amazed by how
much I have received in return.
As Winston Churchill said, "We
make a living by what we get.
We make a life by what we give."
I have loved being part of the
lives of such extraordinary teens
and being active in our Detroit
Jewish community. ❑
Blair Schwartz, 25, teaches in the
Waterford School District. She lives
in Royal Oak and has been a BBYO
adviser for four years.
BBYO adviser opportunities
are available for Jewish
individuals 21 and older.
Contact Lindsey Rosenberg,
program director at BBYO
Michigan Region: (248)
432-5680 or LRosenberg@
bbyo.org .