Global Shabbat honors local women leaders making a difference

BBYO BLOCK


Planning the Global Shabbat were (from left), Jordyn Malmud, SJR regional sh’licha (vice president of Judaism/Service/Advocacy/Israel); Joshua Boro and Sophie Ravitz, regional presidents.

Planning the Global Shabbat were (from left), Jordyn Malmud, SJR regional sh’licha (vice president of Judaism/Service/Advocacy/Israel); Joshua Boro and Sophie Ravitz, regional presidents.

As 2020 quickly approached, there were only a few Shabbats left in 2019. And on December 13, South Jersey Region (SJR) BBYO planned and hosted a community Shabbat event at Cong. Beth El in Voorhees. One of BBYO’s movement initiatives is Global Shabbat, which offers a platform for teens and guests to unite in Jewish tradition in hundreds of communities across the globe. This year, the overarching theme for Global Shabbat was “With All Our Might.” With this theme in mind, SJR chose to honor six influential Jewish women who have made an impact on our community at the service. These women were: Melinda Kane, Hilary Platt, Campbell Schwarz, Sara Sideman, Ruth Scott, and Jennifer Dubrow Weiss.

One of the teens at the forefront of planning this amazing event was Jordyn Malmud, SJR’s regional sh’licha (vice president of Judaism/Service/Advocacy/Israel). Jordyn said that “it was such a great experience having the opportunity to plan and execute a community Shabbat service. It was also very rewarding to see how all of the hard work and time put in by myself and the other teens paid off.” She, alongside Joshua Boro and Sophie Ravitz, our regional presidents, ran the event beautifully.

The Friday night service was also led by SJR’s wonderful teen song leaders Evelin Cloth, Hannah Borenstein, Dylan Lever, and Luke Stander. Additionally, the night was enhanced with guest song leaders Brittney Kahn and Happie Hoffman.

This marvelous night was for all ages to enjoy, as teens, parents, community members, stakeholders, and so many more gathered for this program. Charlie Rosin, a junior from Chapel AZA, was very inspired by the night. He said, “Global Shabbat gave me the opportunity to experience a meaningful Shabbat service with all of my BBYO peers, their families, and I loved the Shabbat atmosphere. It was very special.”

Throughout the night, each of the honorees was asked to lead a different prayer in the service after their work was introduced to the community. At the end of the service, each one of these inspiring women were inducted into the Order of the B’nai B’rith Girls.

Among these honorees was Jennifer Dubrow Weiss, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. She was very touched by the honor. She said that the “service was beautiful, so warm and loving,” and she “felt so proud of what BBYO stands for today and what it means for the future of the Jewish community and the young leaders who will shape our future. We are so fortunate to have such a vibrant group of teens in our community and I am grateful for all they have accomplished and will continue to accomplish.”

The service was engaging and beautiful. It showcased how strong and important BBYO’s movement is to the future of Jewish life, and it brought all kinds community members together through the simple power of a Friday night service.

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