As a regional president of B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO), senior Emily Harmon connects with teen Jewish community members across the world.
Harmon wasn’t connected to the Jewish organization until eighth grade when a friend on Harmon’s dance team suggested she go to an event held by B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO), an international organization with the goal of connecting Jewish teens. The organization has over 700 teen-led chapters in 60 countries around the world and continues to grow.
Now, Harmon is a regional president of BBYO; however she wasn’t always as connected to the Jewish community.
“I grew up going to Hebrew School every Sunday and taking classes,” Harmon said. “I didn’t really have any Jewish friends at school because most people in the area aren’t Jewish.”
Once Harmon went to a BBYO event she found the experience with other Jewish teens eye opening.
“There were other people there that also didn’t have that Jewish community outlet,” Harmon said. “I wasn’t looking for a place to be more Jewish. I wasn’t really interested in my religion, but it wasn’t anything super intense or religious. It was just a bunch of Jewish girls hanging out. I didn’t realize it could be like that.”
In spring 2024, Harmon became co-president of the New England Region, which includes 12 chapters and roughly 500 members. Her job as president includes connecting with other regional presidents, making sure operations and events run smoothly and planning regional events, which can be overnight or weekend gatherings where all the chapters come together.
“I don’t have many tangible tasks; it’s generally making sure everyone else on the leadership board is staying on task,” Harmon said. “It’s a lot of delegation and making sure everyone is doing their jobs and feels supported if they need help with anything.”
A unique opportunity provided by BBYO is an international convention, which takes place once a year in the United States. Harmon has gone to the convention for three years. This year the convention was held in Denver, Colorado and included about 4,000 Jewish teens from across the world.
“I was paired with roommates from Panama,” Harmon said. “It was so cool; I got to learn about their culture and it really showed the power of the organization. There were all these people I wouldn’t have known if it wasn’t for BBYO.”
One of those people is Harmon’s co-president, Noah Friedman, a senior at Acton High. The two first met during leadership training four years ago.
“I remember seeing [Harmon] and thinking she seems so bubbly and nice,” Friedman said.
Over the past year, Harmon and Friedman have worked hard to create a greater sense of community across New England chapters.
“The energy this year has been so much more,” Friedman said. “[Harmon] will just approach any of the girls and strike up a conversation with them. All of the girls look up to her and want to be more like her. We both worked hard for it to be like that.”
Jewish teens can get involved by going to events, contacting Harmon or visiting the BBYO website.
“It’s super easy to get involved,” Harmon said. “People should join BBYO.”
