At BBYO International Convention 2020 in Dallas, Texas, more than 3,000 teen leaders from 45 countries joined together for five days of leadership development, community building, and celebration. From incredible learning and service opportunities to spectacular speakers and performances, IC 2020 brought teens together from every corner of the globe to declare “Tomorrow Happens Here.”
Thirteen Tidewater BBYO teens were part of this experience.
At the convention, BBYO teen leadership unanimously passed legislation affirming that mental health and wellness are priorities. Leveraging BBYO’s unique global platform, teens will work together to foster inclusion, raise awareness, and combat stigmas at chapter and regional programs while building partnerships with trained health professionals in their regions.
Following a plenary attended by global leaders, industry pioneers, community advocates, and exemplars of Jewish life, delegates dispersed to more than 50 service sites across the Dallas Metroplex for the M.B. and Edna Zale Family Foundation LEADS Day. Alephs and BBGs explored issues such as civic engagement, anti-Semitism, and immigration.
Teen leaders honored three World War II liberators in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. As hundreds of teens who are the grandchildren or great-grandchildren of Holocaust survivors raised the flashlights on their cell phones, the reaction of the veterans moved the entire room.
Throughout IC, delegates participated in dozens of different worship experiences and learning opportunities. On Saturday night, teens wrapped arm in arm for Havdalah as graphics illuminated seven massive screens and beautiful prayer melodies were sung by thousands.