“BBYO is the leading pluralistic teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences. For over 95 years, BBYO has provided exceptional identity enrichment and leadership development experiences for hundreds of thousands of Jewish teens.” is the textbook definition for BBYO, but I would say it’s so much more. No definition in the world could define and encapsulate the true meaning of BBYO.

When I first heard of BBYO I was told it was an “organization for Jewish youth to connect and take on leadership roles.” Nothing could have been more incorrect. On many occasions, I have been asked to define BBYO whether it's to a prospect, parent, or a box to fill on an application. Each time I am faced with this question, I am placed into an impossible position. As chapter Morah (MIT-Mom), describing and defining BBYO is a huge part of my responsibility, yet I never have the answer. I could roll with the usual “BBYO is a youth organization where you get to bond with other Jewish teens and create life-long bonds.” This is a lie. No matter how many times I have tried to truly define what it is like to be a part of BBYO, I have never been successful.

One phrase has followed me through my time in BBYO: this is “my heart and home”. This phrase has been the closest thing to a definition that I’ve been able to find. BBYO is my heart and home. A place where I can go when I feel like there is nowhere else. No matter how close I am with a person, whether they like me or not, whether we've spoken or just exchanged glances, I know that one thing connects us: BBYO. No matter how stressful or aggravating life or BBYO can be, I end the day knowing that when it comes down to it, there is no place I would rather be. There is no place like home. My heart and home are Celeste Sobel BBG #1210 and Rocky Mountain Region #25, forevermore. That is how I would define BBYO.