Great Midwest Region

From Wikibbyo

Great Midwest Region #61 (also known simply as GMR) a BBYO (BBYO no longer stands for B'nai B'rith Youth Organization) Region located in Illinois, spanning Chicago and its suburbs. Its regional mascot is the Ostrich, and its regional color is Chartreuse.

Contents 1 Chapters 1.1 AZA 1.2 BBG 1.3 Non-Chartered Chapters of BBYO 1.4 BBYO Connect 2 Leadership 2.1 AZA Regional Board 2.2 BBG Regional Board 2.3 Advisors 2.4 Regional Professional Staff 3 History

Chapters

GMR currently has ten chapters in and around Chicago. Some chapters have both a meeting and event every week. Other chapters meet less often.

AZA

• Armand Hammer AZA
• Barney Ross AZA
• Haganah AZA
• Shabak AZA
• Ometz AZA
• Palmach AZA

BBG

• Ahavah BBG
• Aviva BBG
• Chaverim BBG
• Korczak BBG
• Ruach BBG
• Chai Tov BBG

Non-Chartered Chapters of BBYO

• Elgin BBYO
• Chicago BBYO
• Highland Park BBYO

BBYO Connect

GMR is also home of several Teen Connection Events planned by its BBYO members and largely run by BBYO Connect and Membership Outreach Associate, Samantha Isenstein. Most participants come from the North Shore area, but GMR is open to any and all areas.

Leadership

AZA Regional Board

• Godol - Joseph Sitzmann
• S'gan - Idan Rafalovitz
• Moreh - Ross Drucker
• Ozer - Sam G. Miller
• Shalicha - David Dworkin
• Mazkir - Sam Adler
• Gizbor - Noah Perkins

BBG Regional Board

• N'siah - Jennifer Pollack
• S'ganit - Rachel Tenenbaum
• Mit Mom - Sydney Oliff
• Sh'licha - Jenna Shaw
• Mazkirah - Jessie Gordan
• Gizborit - Kyle Hoffenberg
• Ozeret - Beth Brownfeild

Advisors

GMR has 26 advisors working with its chapters and the region as a whole. They are volunteers who give of their time to interpret BBYO policy as well as work with the elected leadership to guide the chapters and region. Advisors attend all chapter and regional events and are available as resources and mentors to regional members. You can find out who is an advisor by going to each chapters information page via WikiBBYO!

Regional Professional Staff

• Senior Program Director & International Coordinator for Advisor Leadership - Stacy Heller
• Program Director - Ben Kozberg
• BBYO Connect and Membership Outreach Associate - Samantha Isenstein

History

BBYO in Chicago used to be known as the Illinois Council and Chicago Council, which made up the Great Midwest Region. In 2001, the councils merged into what is now known as the Great Midwest Region and continue to carry on the Region's unique traditions.

2012 Full Update by Advisor K.F.