BBYO | |
---|---|
Founded | 1924 Omaha, Nebraska, US |
Type | Jewish |
Affiliation |
|
Status | Active |
Emphasis | Jewish youth |
Scope | International |
Pillars | Inclusivity, Jewish Identity, Active Leadership, and Tradition |
Chapters | 700+ |
Members | 70,000 high school active 350,000 lifetime |
Nickname | Alephs, BBGs |
Headquarters | 529 14th Street NW, Suite 705 Washington, DC 20045 United States |
Website | www |
BBYO (B'nai B'rith Youth Organization Inc.[1] formerly part of B'nai B'rith International) is a Jewish teen movement, organized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and headquartered in Washington, D.C. The organization is intended to build the identity of Jewish teens and offer leadership development programs.[2]
On June 19, 2001, the movement split from B'nai B'rith International, which had been its parent organization, to become incorporated as B'nai B'rith Youth Organization Inc.[1]
BBYO is organized into local fraternity- and sorority-like chapters. Male chapters are known as AZA chapters and their members are known as Alephs and female chapters as BBG chapters, and their members are known as BBGs. AZA and BBG were independent organizations (beginning in 1924 and 1944 respectively) before becoming brother and sister organizations under B'nai B'rith. In some communities, there are co-ed BBYO chapters that borrow traditions from both organizations.