Future Entrepreneurs
BBYO program guides women about business.
Alana Blumenstein | Teen2Teen Writer
The BBYO Michigan
Region delegation
shows its spirit prior
to the convention’s
opening ceremonies.
‘It Starts With Us!’
BBYO international conference
leaves its mark on local teens.
Zack Kirshner | Teen2Teen Writer
I
t starts with us!” These words of
encouragement and of hope were
repeated often to 2,400 young
Jewish leaders from around the world
during BBYO’s International Convention
(IC) in Baltimore Feb. 11-15.
The words were said in hope that these
teens will bring “it” back to their commu-
nities. In addition to this common goal,
these teens all shared the gift of BBYO.
For the 92nd consecutive year, BBYO
celebrated its international convention
with Alephs (boys) and BBG members
(girls) coming from as far as Uruguay to
celebrate a brotherhood and sisterhood
that has made an impact on thousands
of young Jewish lives just like theirs. The
life-changing experience of IC is one that
can’t be matched.
BBYO was built upon the mission of
“More Jewish Teens, More Meaningful
Jewish Experiences.” BBYO takes that
mission to heart by making IC available
to more and more Jewish teens each
year by picking bigger venues and also
through the gracious support of BBYO’s
donors and its Friends and Alumni net-
work. It also expands these teens’ expo-
sure to the world and the tools to change
it. IC brings meaningful Jewish experi-
ences through learning sessions special-
ized to certain interests, passions and the
Jewish future.
At this year’s IC, a Guinness World
Record was broken. IC hosted the larg-
est Shabbat dinner in the history of the
world. That night, there was a certain
intensity in the air as we raised our voices
to say the prayers before breaking bread
(literally) with friends.
IC gives young aspiring leaders like
myself the chance to hear from speakers
who were once in their position, as BBYO
frequently reminds us that “every great
leader was once a teen.”
Two of the many speakers that stood
out to me included Daniel Lubetzky, CEO
of KIND Bars, who focused on sharing
34 March 3 • 2016
how simple acts of “KINDness” can go a
long way. The second speaker that made
an impression was Casey Neistat, an
American film producer and YouTube
“vlogger,” who touched on his journey,
which he calls a “Zero-to-Hero story.”
We were able to explore Baltimore and
Washington, D.C., by selecting different
venues to visit including the Holocaust
Museum, the monuments, the zoo and
the Smithsonian. To wrap up a wonder-
ful convention on Sunday night, we were
treated to some special performances
by the Mowglis, Jason Derulo and Cash
Cash.
However, the most meaningful part
of IC, personally speaking, is reuniting
with friends from prior international
programs. For more than six months,
201 days, I was without some of my best
friends. Sure, there was Facebook and
other forms of social media keeping us in
contact, but there is nothing better than
getting that long-awaited hug or secret
handshake from the friends I’ve been
impatient to see.
More than that, we were also able to
meet new people — those who may live
hundreds of miles away, but who share
the same passions. Although parting is
hard, we accept we will see each other
again, whether it is at the next IC or on
personal visits because BBYO makes our
world a little smaller and the Jewish com-
munity a lot tighter.
For me, as a senior in BBYO, this was
my last IC. Throughout the last day and
all the goodbyes, I reflected on the great
times I’ve had in BBYO. It’s a bittersweet
feeling to know that in four short months
I’ll be leaving this organization I’ve called
home for the last four years. However, I
am more than confident in myself as a
leader, a person and, most importantly, as
a Jew.
*
Zack Kirshner, 17, of Farmington Hills is a senior at
North Farmington High School.
B
BYO’s Building Entrepreneurship
program educates high school
girls about how to start a busi-
ness. The program not only brings inspira-
tion, but also provides us with the confi-
dence and beginning knowledge to build a
bright future.
About 25 girls are accepted into this
eight-month program each year through
an application process. Katie Fried, region-
al BBYO director, runs the program.
Our group recently spent the weekend
in Detroit. Throughout our time, we visited
businesses, spoke with established entre-
preneurs, learned about the city and spent
quality time with each other. We stayed at
the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel and visited
landmarks such as the Guardian Building,
Campus Martius Park and the Detroit
Historical Museum, as well as women-
owned businesses including Drought, Bon
Bon Bon and Painting with a Twist.
We also went to hotspots like Detroit
Water Ice Factory and Astoria Bakery in
Greektown. Needless to say, our weekend
was completely packed with fun and inter-
esting educational experiences.
Coming into this program, I knew I
wanted to be an entrepreneur. What I
didn’t know was where to begin. These few
days have taught me to feel empowered
about my future and myself.
One of the priorities of our weekend was
bonding. To meet such an incredible group
of girls was a great opportunity in itself.
Being able to spend time with them over
ice skating at Campus Martius and Shabbat
services with Rabbi Jen Lader from Temple
Israel was so much fun. We even shared a
meaningful Havdalah at the Isaac Agree
Downtown Synagogue and felt like a
family.
Our time was very educational, and I
learned so much. We had the chance to
meet Ashley Goldberg, owner of Born
Yoga, and Terri Stearn, founder of Detroit
Fine Art Appraisals, who told us about
their experiences as female entrepreneurs.
We were given great advice and shown
how we are capable of following in their
footsteps.
Another stop was to the Detroit
Experience Factory Tour of Women in
Business. I especially enjoyed this tour
because we got to explore Detroit, and it
taught each of us about the city and some
of the current businesses in it. During our
tour, we visited Bon Bon Bon, a French-
style chocolate shop, and Drought, an
organic juice store. Just walking around the
city and seeing the potential Detroit has to
offer inspired us to be a part of its future.
Later, we were given time to think of
business plans of our own with the help of
Rachel Grey Ellis, BBYO senior regional
director. It was really interesting hearing
all the ideas the group had to offer. During
this time, we learned how to break down
our original ideas and turn them into suc-
cessful business plans.
There is so much I could say about
our time together. The weekend changed
my entire perspective of Detroit and of
my future. Our stops throughout the trip
taught us the basics of entrepreneurship
and about the bright future we can build
in Detroit. There was so much life in the
city. I can’t wait to see this city continue to
grow. We are excited to do our part in this
amazing city and to build our own bright
futures.
*
Alana Blumenstein, 15, of West Bloomfield is a
sophomore at Detroit Country Day School. Building
Entrepreneurship is supported by a grant from
the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Metropolitan
Detroit. For details, contact Katie Fried at (248) 432-
5685 or kfried@bbyo.org.
Alana Blumenstein, Brayden Hirsch, Dayna Katz,
Sydney Kalt, Jordyn Bertman, Kalie Fishman and Haley
Kaplansky pose in front of the Spirit of Detroit statue.
Rachel Pesick, Samantha
Mindell and Elana Weberman
enjoy Havdalah services at
the Isaac Agree Downtown
Synagogue.