B'nai B'rith Girls
From Wikibbyo
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B'nai B'rith Girls or BBG is the women's order of BBYO, an international youth-led high school sorority for Jewish youth. BBG as it is known today has thousands of members in chapters worldwide, including chapters in the United States, Bulgaria, United Kingdom, Israel, and Canada.
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Objectives
BBYO members participate in democratically functioning small groups, called chapters, under the guidance of adult volunteer advisors and professional staff. Specifically, the objectives of BBYO are:
- To help Jewish youth enhance their knowledge and appreciation of Jewish religion and culture by discovering those aspects which are meaningful to them.
- To provide Jewish youth with the opportuniites to learn leadership skills and develop their leadershp potential to their fullest capabilities.
- To help Jewish youth recognize opportuniites for service and encourage involvement in the Jewish and general communities.
- To develop in Jewish youth an appreciation for the meaning and practice of tzedakah both in the Jewish and general communities.
- To help Jewish youth develop a commitment to the State of Israel and K'lal Yisrael.
- To help Jewish youth develop a positive self-image.
- To encourage the development of friednships between Jewish youth.
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Programming
While the opportunity to socialize with other Jewish youth is a large component of BBG, the diversity of the programming is what makes the experience so unique. Activities at all levels are built around six programming areas, called folds.
The Six Folds of Programming
These Six Folds are often combined to create more dynamic programming. The B'nai B'rith Girls use the following folds when planning programs and incorporate as many of them as possible in each event:
Conventions and Programs
- MIT/AIT (New Member Convention) - New Member weekends provide an opportunity for Members-In-Training to experience BBG on a broader level. They learn the basics of the organization and meet new members from other chapters.
- Kallah/Judaism Institute - Kallah and Judaism Institute programs focus on Jewish religion and culture. The program often revolves around a Shabbat experience and provides an opportunity for BBGs to explore their own Jewish identities.
- Leadership Training Institute - Leadership Training Institutes provide leadership development opportunities for all participants. These programs train BBGs to become leaders in their chapters, councils, and regions.
- Council or Regional Conventions - Council or Regional conventions serve different purposes in different areas. In some locations, conventions serve solely to bring the membership of the organization together for fun weekends. In other places, convention bodies address the major business for the year and elect officers to the council or regional board.
- The International Service Fund - The International Service Fund (ISF) is the financial means through which every member of BBYO can contribute to the building of a more effective organization and a better world. On a yearly basis, the youth leaders of BBYO allocate the money to scholarships for international leadership programs, tzedakah, and BBYO overseas. Each chapter's ISF donation- no less than $4.00 per member- is crucial for sustaining the organization.
Calendar Overview
Certain dates on the calendar hold special significance for the B'nai B'rith Girls. Chapters and regions are encouraged to hold programs incorporating these themes.
BBG Shabbat Chapters throughout the world hold special celebrations the second weekend in November, to remember that it is our religious heritage that unites us.
October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month This nationally recognized month was adopted as a thrust by the B'nai B'rith Girls in the mid-1990s to raise awareness and consciousness of the prevalence of breast cancer.
October - Political Activism Month Through involvement in AIPAC, the Center for Public Policy, local Jewish Federations, lobbying, and learning about parliamentary procedure, BBG better educates and involves members in world affairs, politics, and law.
November - Senior Appreciation Month Chapters, councils, and regions honor their devoted seniors (members in their final year) for their years of dedication to the B'nai B'rith Girls.
December - International Simultaneous Drug and Alcohol Awareness Month Drug and alcohol abuse is an issue that plagues our world and affects our members directly and indirectly. December was chosen to raise awareness of the negative effects of drug and alcohol use.
January - OutREACH Month OutREACH is an acronym for "Our Responsibility Everywhere to Aid and Care for the Homeless". In January, we remember that BBG shares in this responisbility, and we plan community service and social action programs that relate to this important cause.
March - Advisor Appreciation Month Chapters, councils, and regions honor their dedicated advisors, who have volunteered their time and commitment for the betterment of the organization.
March - Money Madness Chapters and regions focus their programming efforts on planning fundraisers to raise money for the International Service Fund.
April - Holocaust Remembrance Month To correspond with Yom Ha Shoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), April was chosen as Holocaust Remembrance Month in order to remember the tragedies of the Holocaust in our programming.
April 22 - BBG Founder's Day April 22 marks the BBG Founders Day. This was the date the B'nai B'rith Girls convened for the very first time. Chapters, councils, and regions throw BBG Birthday Parties or hold alumni programs to celebrate our history.
May - Israel Appreciation Month To correspond with Yom Ha Atzmaut (Israeli Independence Day), May was chosen as Israel Appreciation Month in order to recognize the progress of the State of Israel and her achievements.
Traditions and Rituals
There are additional specialized ceremonies used in BBG that are not included on this site.
The Menorah Pledge Principles
The B'nai B'rith Girls cooperate under these ideals and goals. These principles are very important to all BBG's.
- Citizenship - We pledge our devotion to our beloved country, whose blessing we shall never take for granted. We shall guard zealously our democratic rights and shall fulfill our duties as citizens.
- Jewish Heritage - We have a magnificent Jewish heritage, which has enriched the civilization of every land. We shall aim to become imbued with an understanding and a love of our Jewish culture so that we may be a conscious part of the people from whom we stem. We shall always strive to live up to the ideals, which are the essence of Jewish religious faith.
- Community Service - We recognize our responsibility to render selfless service as citizens of the community in which we live.
- Philanthropy - We shall always be concerned with the underprivileged and distressed. We shall offer our help to those in need, recognizing that the ability to help others is a blessing and a responsibility.
- Inter-faith Relations - We represent one of the faiths that make up the diverse patterns of the religious world. We shall learn to understand and respect our neighbor. We shall so live as individuals and groups that we may reflect credit upon the Jewish people.
- Tradition - We shall try to exemplify in our home the finest of Jewish family traditions.
- Good Sisterhood - We make possible the warmth and joy of good sisterhood through our association in Chapters. We shall respect the rights of each member. We shall make our Chapter a true example of democratic living so that companionship and friendship may endure.
- Prayer for World Jewry - Ligthing the candles is a privilege we engage in that displays the freedom we, as B'nai B'rith Girls, and as Jews are able to exhibit. However, there are Jews in our world who are not allowed to observe Judaism freely. Oppressed Jewry is a major concern in our society. The light that is burning so brightly is the light of hope. We hope that one day all oppressed Jews will be able to practice Judaism as freely as we are doing here today.
BBG Chapter Constitution
All chapters have constitutions that outline their operations. While they may vary somewhat, they are all based on the International Constitution of the B'nai B'rith Girls. Chapter constitutions cannot conflict in any way with the international or regional constitution, nor with any policies made by the local or international staff.
Parliamentary Procedure
All BBG meetings are run using parliamentary procedure, as outlined in Robert's Rules of Order. Parliamentary procedure allows every opinin to be heard while moving the meeting along at a steady pace. Though it might at times seem to cause confusion or frustration, parliamentary procedure helps facilitate an efficient business meeting.
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