User:Bryschec
From Wikibbyo
Hi, my name is Aleph Bryan Grant Schecter, and I am an AZA alum. I was in Liberty Region, starting in Kehilah BBYO, founding Hatmadah AZA, and finishing in Yitzhak Rabin AZA. BBYO was the biggest thing in my life from ninth through twelfth grade, and I was active on WikiBBYO editing and adding pages for my chapter(s) and region. I graduated in June 2022, so don't expect future updates from me. Below is a recollection of my BBYO experience showing how its twists and turns defined my post-bar mitzvah life socially, as a person, and as a Jew.
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My BBYO Experience
My First Moments
I joined Kehilah BBYO #5405 at the beginning of eighth grade in September 2017 by the recommendation of a close family friend who was Regional Aleph Godol of South Jersey Region the following year. This was in addition to good words from my grandmother's boyfriend's grandson, who just happened to be Regional S'gan of my region at the time. I didn't get BBYO at the beginning as my chapter was in a moment of stagnation and a lack of other active Alephs. I didn't get seriously into BBYO until the beginning of ninth grade, when I learned that my chapter was in the process of splitting (as a result of those issues mentioned earlier, funnily enough). The founding of a new "Kehilah AZA" intrigued me, so I went to its first meeting with a grand total of four other Alephs. and quickly got excited about getting in an underdog initiative from the ground floor. I made friends with older members who rooted for me and showed me the ropes through chapter events and my first few regional conventions. If you look through the names of the Regional Aleph Boards in Liberty from 2018-2021, most of them are my close friends and role models within AZA and life as a whole.
Forging an Aleph
The split happened a few months later, in January 2019, and I helped found the new chapter of Hatmadah AZA #1943. I still remember so much about that crazy cold Wednesday night arguing over a name, mascot, and colors in a synagogue preschool classroom surrounded by idiots and tons of junk food. Let's just say the chapter has a monkey suit and a dildo. My ninth-grade year was great, but the next one wasn't so much. After its initial leaders left, there was a bit of a power vacuum. I felt other members were not treating others (and myself) fraternally, which was only exasperated with the onset of COVID in March 2020. I worked my ass off to keep the new chapter as great as I thought it was, but it only felt like the situation was deteriorating as time passed. After missing my final chance to take control of the problem, my friends and people who were aware across the region came to my side with messages of friendship and reminded me why I was in AZA in the first place. I leaned on the region a lot that year, regarding friends and opportunities to prove myself as a leader. Following that year, I moved on to greener pastures as I understood that my happiness meant more than trying to prop up something that would not return the same kindness.
Choosing What's Best for Me
I joined the strongest AZA chapter then, Yitzhak Rabin AZA #2562, and quickly became one of its most active members. Despite being the most difficult BBYO year due to COVID, I had the most incredible social experience. I was very close with chapter and regional friends and became highly active internationally. Brothers surrounded me, and I participated in international affairs such as virtual summer programs, the Aleph Engagement Task Force, and the Global Leadership Academy. The WikiBBYO software is outdated, but you can find the TED Talk I presented at the virtual IC 2021 by googling "TED-Ed Student Talk: Bryan Schecter." As the 2020-2021 year ended, most of the chapter was graduating, and many older members requested me to help lead the chapter through an inevitable rebuilding phase. I initially was eyeing Regional Board at the time. Still, I felt this was more worthy of my energy as I knew I was hoping to make a real difference versus participating in a region I became disappointed with throughout the pandemic. It was not an easy choice, but I went with my gut and took the option that would positively impact me and others. It was great to be on board after four years as an Aleph finally, and going straight to ILTC was the perfect way to culminate that year and the difficult moments I had within AZA.
One Last Ride
As a senior, I gave my all as Chapter S'gan to kickstart the chapter, and we did very well. We recruited ~16 new members, raised hundreds at multiple fundraisers, aimed for a monthly program and meeting, and won The Henry Monsky Chapter Excellence Award of the Aleph Zadik Aleph. I coordinated and led events I never experienced as a younger Aleph, like a pool party, a Sixers game, an escape room plus lunch at Shake Shack, and reuniting with brother alums at a midyear chapter meeting. I was finally the leader and role model I always wanted to be and helped impact newer members. I wanted to finish strong, and I graduated knowing I couldn't have done better.
My Message
My point is that while my AZA experience was in no way easy or what I wanted it to be, I made the most of what I was given and did whatever I could to give back to my brother Alephs. As a result, I am a better man and have people who support and care about me across the country and the world.
