SCC is also a time to handle Eastern Region BBYO business. The six elected regional presidents (one BBG and one AZA from each council) give a state of the region (“States”) where they review the successes and challenges of the past year. The new regional board is also elected.

Simcha BBG’s Skylar Caplan was elected as the fourth regional mazkirah (secretary) of Eastern Region. Mazkirah is responsible for managing Instagram posts, social media storytelling, designing flyers, and creating digital materials, as well as taking meeting notes, tracking member information, and keeping records of gatherings. Skylar will do this and more while leading and supporting her chapter counterparts in the region (all the mazkirahs in each BBG/BBYO chapter).

Conventions bring members together for a fun and meaningful weekend of programming, activities, Shabbat moments, and hanging out with friends. More than a few tears were shed upon departure.

Members are already looking forward to L’dor V’dor Convention (LVC) taking place November 13-15 outside Charlotte, North Carolina.

 BBYO advisors serve as positive role models, working in partnership with staff members to supervise and guide AZA and BBG chapters. Advisors empower each BBYO member to do their best, develop new leadership skills, and grow into dynamic and engaged young Jewish leaders.

 A native of Charlotte, N.C., Dippold was an active and dedicated member of Ohavim BBG in Eastern Region’s North Carolina Council throughout high school. During her time in BBYO, she served her chapter as Gizborit (treasurer), Morah (vice president of membership and recruitment), and ultimately as N’siah (president). BBYO, she says, played a significant role in shaping her leadership skills, confidence, and some of her closest friendships.

 Dippold attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she studied psychology and advertising/public relations. While at UNC, she discovered her passion for working in sports and later interned in public relations with the Carolina Hurricanes. She currently serves as the manager of Sponsorship Fulfillment for the Norfolk Admirals Professional Hockey Club, where she oversees corporate partnerships and community activations.

 Now living in Norfolk, Dippold says she is excited to return to BBYO in a new role as Simcha BBG advisor. She looks forward to mentoring teens, building meaningful programming, and helping members create the same lasting memories and leadership experiences that meant so much to her.

Courtney Krutoy is Tidewater BBYO’s city director.

 To learn about more programming, contact Courtney Krutoy, city director – Tidewater Eastern Region BBYO, at ckrutoy@bbyo.org. 

BBYO advisors serve as role models working in partnership with staff members to supervise and guide AZA and BBG chapters. Advisors empower each BBYO member to do their best, develop new leadership skills, and grow into dynamic and engaged young Jewish leaders.

A Tidewater native, Eric Miller was an active member of BBYO during his teen years. In fact, during his senior year at Cape Henry Collegiate, Miller served as the Godol (president) of Dr. Israel Brown AZA. In 2012, Miller graduated from Virginia Wesleyan College, now University, with a bachelor’s degree in business management. He currently serves as the account manager at Fairwinds Terminal Services in Norfolk. When not at work, Miller says he enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing golf, and during football season, watching the New York Giants, “even if they lose just about every game.”

Not long after graduating from VWC, Miller advised Dr. Israel Brown for about five years. He says it was a great experience, and that he enjoyed being affiliated with BBYO again, as it reminded him “of the good times in high school and the many friendships” that were formed by it. 

Dr. Benjamin Rubinstein was born in Michigan but grew up in Northern Virginia. He was an active member of AZA throughout high school, serving as Godol of Nova Council his senior year. Rubinstein is a graduate of Harvard College and Columbia Medical School. He completed his residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School and a fellowship at Mount Sinai in New York. An Ear, Nose, and Throat physician in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Rubinstein is also an associate professor at Old Dominion University. 

When not at work, Rubinstein says he enjoys salsa dancing, hiking at First Landing State Park, going to the beach, and playing guitar. Rubinstein and his wife, Rebecca, have two small boys, Ezra and Nathan, and an adopted dog, Hippo. A member of Nadiv, Rubinstein says he joined the AZA advisory committee because he “enjoys mentoring students.” He says he “had a great advisor” during his time in BBYO and wants to give teens in Tidewater a similar experience to what he had. 

Simcha BBG is seeking advisors for its advisory committee. 

If interested in becoming an advisor for BBG or AZA, contact Courtney Krutoy, Tidewater city director, at ckrutoy@bbyo.org.

Courtney Krutoy is Eastern Region BBYO’s Tidewater city director.