West Chester BBYO

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Revision as of 20:51, 30 August 2011

West Chester Sondra Moore BBYO #5206 is a BBYO (co-ed) chapter in Central Region East #34. West Chester BBYO is the largest co-ed chapter in CRE, and the fifth largest chapter in the region overall (after Wilmington and Allentown AZA and BBG). West Chester is known for its spirit and strong leadership.

Advisors:

• Doreen Strauss
• Bonnie Krasner

Chapter History

West Chester BBYO was founded approximately 40 years ago. The chapter was named after a community member who died in childhood of cancer. Advised for many years by Maurice Linnette, the chapter grew to become one of the strongest in the nation, with members taking many regional positions and even helping to write Stand Together (former chapter Godol and regional Moreh, Larry Neil). As the chapter moved into the 21st century, major changes occurred. First of all, there was a massive growth in the Jewish population of Chester County, leading to the establishment of a new synagogue, the third in the area. Secondly, 2 synagogues, including Kesher Israel, started USY chapters. In addition, growth within the chapter caused its board to decide to create two boards, one AZA and one BBG, for the chapter to get it ready to split. This decision proved to be disastrous- many young members were forced into high board positions, leading to high levels of burn out; meanwhile, many of the chapter's best members were elected to regional and international boards, resulting in a leadership vacuum, and its only advisor quit. By the 2006-2007 year, the chapter (whose board had shrunken back to the traditional size) had fewer than 10 active members, including almost none of its executive board. Luckily, new advisors and new leadership have resulted in West Chester's reemergence as a force to be reckoned with within CRE and the international order- for example, the first event of the 2007-2008 year had 11 in attendance, while the first event of the 2010-11 year had 33. West Chester BBYO won International Chapter of the Year for 2010-2011.

Current Chapter Board (11-12)

• Godol: Brett Krasner (2013)
• S'gan: Ben Levin (2012)
• S'ganit: Melissa Chesnick (2014)
• Moreh: Hunter King (2014)
• Morah: Jessica Meyer (2014)
• Mazkirah/Gizborit: Genevieve Pomeroy (2014)
• Sh'licha: Emily Strauss (2012)
• Madricha: Rebecca Zimmerman (2012)

Awards and Recognition (incomplete)

• 2011 Maurice Bisgyer Chapter Excellence Award
• 2011 Star of Deborah, Briana Krasner
• 2011 Tree of Life Recruitment Award, Brett Krasner
• 2011 Tree of Life Recruitment Award, Billy Whalen
• 2010 Tournies Spirit Stick, Division 1
• 2009-2010 BBG Chapter of the Year
• 2009-2010 BBG Senior of the Year, Melissa Amilani
• 2009 Tournies (November) Spirit Stick, Division 2
• 2009 Tournies (November) 2nd Place, Division 2
• 2009 Tournies (January) 1st Place, Division 2
• 2009 Tree of Life, Harris Engelmann
• 2008 Tournies 1st Place, Division 2
• 2007 Tournies 1st Place, Division 2

Regional & International Board Members (incomplete)

• 32nd Regional Mazkirah, Anna Gautier (11-12)
• 83rd Grand Aleph Mazkir, Joel Rosen (07-08)
• 28th Regional Mazkir, Joel Rosen (06-07)
• 26th Regional S'ganit, Thea Ivins (05-06)
• 26th Regional Morah, Liz Bentley (05-06)
• 23rd Regional S'ganit, Bonnie Weintraub (02-03)
• 22nd Regional Mazkirah, Jen Goldstein (01-02)
• 20th Regional S'ganit, Alyssa Lee (99-00)
• 19th Regional Godol, David Hulnick (97-98)
• 18th Regional N'siah, Aliza Paskow (97-98)
• 1st Regional Shaliach, David Hulnick (96-97)

Previous Chapters Boards

2010-2011

• N'siah: Rebecca Zimmerman
• S'ganit: Briana Krasner
• Moreh: Brett Krasner
• Morah: Anna Gautier
• Mazkir: Nick Proko
• Gizbor: Sam Barnett
• Sh'licha: Melissa Chesnick

2009-2010

• N'siah: Gillie Strauss
• S'ganit: Nicki Ivins
• Moreh: Billy Whalen
• Morah: Rebecca Zimmerman
• Mazkir: Josh Robertson
• Gizbor: Sam Barnett

2008-2009

• Godol: Harris Englemann
• S'gan: Matt Sokoloff
• S'ganit: Kassi Bugg
• Moreh: CJ Nolt
• Morah: Nicki Ivins
• Mazkir: Greg Faber
• Gizbor: Josh Robertson
• Sh'licha: Melissa Amilani

2007-2008

• N'siah: Claire Steiner
• S'ganit: Kassi Bugg
• Moreh: Harris Englemann
• Morah: Nicki Ivins
• Mazkir: Greg Faber
• Gizborit: Jill Steiner
• Sh'licha: Melissa Amilani

2006-2007

• N'siah: Mia Robb
• S'ganit: Ariel Kramer
• Moreh: Brian DeMarco
• Morah: Claire Steiner
• Mazkir: Greg Faber
• Sh'licha: Heather Shoolman
• Gizbor: Gary Brown

2005-2006

• Godol: Alex Faber
• N'siah: Emily Feinman
• S'gan: Gary Brown
• S'ganit: Heather Shoolman
• Moreh: Joel Rosen
• Morah: Mia Robb
• Mazkir: Alex Sitkoff
• Mazkirah: Rebecca Feinman
• Shaliach:
• Sh'licha: Ellie Brown
• Gizbor: Dan Rosen
• Gizborit:

2004-2005

• Godol: Dan Rosen
• N'siah: Thea Ivins
• S'gan:
• S'ganit:
• Moreh:
• Morah: Emily Feinman
• Mazkir: Alex Faber
• Shaliach:
• Sh'licha:
• Gizbor:
• Gizborit:

2001-2002

• N'siah: Bonnie Weintraub
• S'ganit:Devin Winter
• Morah: Becky Bordo
• Mazkirah: Jillian Godfrey

2000-2001

• N'siah: Deborah Davidoff
• S'ganit: Bonnie Weintraub
• Morah: Jenn Doran
• Mazkirah: Joanna Spikol
• Sh'licha:Devin Winter
• Gizborit: Jen Goldstein

1999-2000

• N'siah: Jennifer Hulnick
• S'ganit: Zoe Maltby
• Morah: Deborah Davidoff
• Mazkirah: Jen Goldstein
• Sh'licha: Jessie Sitkoff
• Gizbor: Adam Paskow

1998-1999

• N'siah: Alyssa Lee
• S'ganit: Jackie Woinsky
• Moreh: Anton Pribysh
• Morah: Zoe Maltby
• Mazkir: Ryan Weber
• Sh'licha: Jennifer Hulnick
• Gizbor: Adam Paskow

1997-1998

• N'siah: Lisa Kodish
• S'ganit: Jennifer Hulnick
• Moreh: Mike Rawl
• Morah: Alyssa Lee
• Mazkirah: Jackie Woinsky
• Shaliach: Noam Oz

1996-1997

• Godol: Dan Feinberg

1995-1996

• Godol: David Hulnick