26 | MARCH 21 • 2024
J
N
A
lec Cohen, a BBYO
Michigan Region
volunteer adviser,
is this year’s recipient of the
David Bittker Unsung Hero
Award for Adviser of the
Year. Alec was nominated by
local teens and staff and was
chosen out of all the volunteer
advisers serving BBYO
chapters across America.
The David Bittker Unsung
Hero Award is presented
annually by BBYO to an
outstanding adviser who
demonstrates David’s
qualities: integrity, humility,
dedication and hard work.
The late David Bittker
selflessly invested his time,
passion and resources
to strengthen the Jewish
community. BBYO seeks
to share David’s model of
leadership with generations of
young people.
It is incredibly special
to see a Michigan adviser
receive this award given that
David Bittker was a Metro
Detroit native and was deeply
committed to the local
community.
Alec Cohen was recognized
at BBYO’s International
Convention in Orlando,
Florida, where he was
presented with the award in
front of almost 4,000 Jewish
teenagers from all over the
world. As the adviser of Max
Fisher AZA #337, Cohen
has provided mentorship and
support to Metro Detroit
teens and helped drive
BBYO’s mission to create
more meaningful Jewish
experiences for more Jewish
teens.
“Alec is more than an
adviser — he is a friend and
inspiration,” said Matthew
Devaney, chapter president of
Fisher AZA and a junior at
Walled Lake Northern High
School. “He uses his morals
to guide us through thick and
thin and, as our adviser, he
has really helped our chapter
thrive.”
“Alec knows how to give
the teens total responsibility
and allows them to make
decisions yet can guide
them to making appropriate
choices that are best for
the chapter,” adds Shayna
Pearlman, associate regional
director of BBYO Michigan
Region. “There are so many
great things I can say about
Alec, and we are so grateful
and lucky to have him in
Michigan Region.”
Cohen, who currently lives
in Royal Oak, is a BBYO
Michigan Region alumni
and was a member of Fisher
AZA, the chapter he currently
advises. He works for Bally
Sports Detroit as a photogra-
pher and also runs his own
photography company, AC
Productions.
BBYO Michigan Region
and Fisher AZA will be host-
ing a celebration in honor of
Alec’s award later this year.
Alec Cohen Receives David Bittker Unsung Hero
Award at BBYO’s International Convention.
OUR COMMUNITY
Unsung Hero
Alec
Cohen
Alec Cohen
with teens.