The 2011/5771 International August Executives Conference of the Aleph Zadik Aleph and B’nai B’rith Girls

7. 
   Announcements
   

8. 
   BBG Closing Rituals
   

67^th International Board of the B’nai B’rith Girls

Resolution to Support U.S. Congressional Legislation to Provide Services to Holocaust Survivors
Maker: 87^th Grand Board of the Aleph Zadik Aleph & 67^th International Board of the B’nai B’rith Girls

Second: Nathan Weinbaum (Gold Coast), Sami Kopinsky (Great Midwest), Ben Sanders (Rocky Mountain), Sarah Sloan (Nassau Suffolk)
Background: New Legislation Provides Improved Services for Holocaust Survivors (August 3, 2011)

WASHINGTON — Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) introduced a bill last night that would bolster agencies that work to provide support services to Holocaust survivors in the U.S., from improved home care services to transportation options.

 
The bipartisan bill introduced by Wasserman Schultz along with original co-sponsor Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) would add Holocaust survivors to a priority list for social services that are provided as part of the Older Americans Act, including nutrition services, mental health counseling, and home modifications.

The bill would also designate someone within the Administration on Aging to oversee the implementation of all the services to survivors to ensure the full intent of the bill is carried out. Because transportation is one of the greatest needs of these seniors, another integral part of the bill is a grant program that would improve transportation services.

With an estimated 127,000 Holocaust survivors living in the United States today, three-quarters are over the age of 75 and more than 86,000 live alone. Many rely on local agencies to help them afford basic necessities such as food and health care.

“As a nation that upholds the values of freedom, liberty, and justice, we have a moral obligation to acknowledge the plight and uphold the dignity of Holocaust survivors to ensure their well-being,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “Our children’s generation will be the last to know Holocaust survivors and hear their stories first hand. We must do all we can to honor their struggles and their lives by improving their access to transportation to get them where they need to go, and improve their home-care options so that they can have peace of mind. This bill does just that, and it’s time to make it happen.”

Last December, Wasserman Schultz introduced a resolution that passed in the House that recognizes the needs of aging Holocaust survivors and the work of the agencies that help support them. This bill takes that idea and turns it into a reality by making it possible for these agencies to provide the support that is so vital to these Holocaust survivors.

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25	Whereas AZA and BBG are focused on building a strong, vibrant Jewish future through keen attention on our peers, affirming our commitment to the generations that will follow us while actively caring for and respecting those community members that built the community that we now enjoy and will one day lead; and Whereas AZA and BBG are committed to ‘Standing Up’ and ‘Speaking Up’ for all those within and beyond our community in need of advocacy, support and protection; and Whereas BBYO has been a vital communal component of the Jewish community’s framework since our founding, notably in the aftermath of the Shoah (Holocaust) by aiding Jewish refugees, reviving Jewish life across the world in once decimated communities, and educating thousands of teens through meaningful local programming and immersive experiences like the March of the Living since its establishment about the lessons of the Holocaust and our responsibilities to survivors and those still in need around the world; and Whereas our generation is fortuitous to be among the last that will know Holocaust survivors and absorb their testimonials while championing human rights and aid for those facing parallel, dire situations; and Whereas Holocaust survivors are a communal treasure that remind us of the importance of Peoplehood, continuity, tradition, tzedakah, values, tradition and so much more that is precious to the Jewish experience; Be it hereby resolved that the 2011-2012 North American Executive Body, on the behalf of the Aleph Zadik Aleph and the B’nai B’rith Girls, declare their support for this Congressional bill; and Be it moved that the 2011-2012 Executive Body (utilizing volunteer authors on site during this conference) send a letter to Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and other key Congressional leaders and partner organizations expressing our support for this bill’s passage. Passed _____________________ Failed _____________________ Tabled _____________________

BBYO/JDC Overseas Partnership Expansion Recognition Act: Ukraine and Latvia
Maker: 87^th Grand Board of the Aleph Zadik Aleph & 67^th International Board of the B’nai B’rith Girls

Second: Austin Goodman (Michigan), Sarah Minion (South Jersey), Harper Weissburg (Eastern: North Carolina), Yitzi Peetluk (Cotton States)

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Whereas BBYO is the leading global Jewish pluralistic youth movement; and Whereas BBYO has affiliates and membership communities around the world; and Whereas relationships amidst leaders, initiative collaboration and meaningful communication are increasingly frequent, productive, unifying, and effective; and Whereas the presence of BBYO teens from beyond the United States and Canada are increasingly active participants at BBYO international programs and summer experiences; and Whereas the world is increasingly ‘smaller’, the current membership is a more global-centric generation than ever before, and more Jewish communities abroad are seeking affiliation with BBYO; and Whereas there is a long standing history of decades of depth-oriented relationships, shared experiences, international atmosphere at summer programs; and Whereas the international aspect of BBYO has always been and remains to be one of the most unique attributes of our organization; and Whereas the JDC is a powerful force for maintaining and building Jewish communities around the world; and Whereas, our modern day relationship with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) has progressed since 2006 and BBYO has become a central teen partner agency for the JDC; Be it hereby proclaimed that based on the organizational partnership developed and formalized by the JDC and BBYO, we celebrate the four existing BBYO communities that will participate in the JDC/BBYO fellowship program (Israel, Turkey, Serbia, and Argentina); and Be it further recommended that we proudly welcome Latvia and Ukraine into the BBYO family as official global affiliate countries as a result of the JDC/BBYO partnership; and Be it further recommended that the 2011-2012 Global Ambassadors Network add two ambassadors to help grow and support the Jewish teen experience and BBYO affiliates in Ukraine and Latvia. Passed _____________________ Failed _____________________ Tabled _____________________

B’nai B’rith Girls Games Initiative
Maker: 67^th International Board of the B’nai B’rith Girls

Second: Rebecca Lichtenstein (Gold Coast), Dani Kahn (Big Apple), Erica Abrams (Kentucky Indiana Ohio), Rebecca Slatkin (NRE: Northern Virginia)
Background:
In 1994, BBYO International launched two different program thrusts: AZAA (AZA Athletics) and MBA (Mind, Body, Attitude) which were intended to strengthen the character building, recreational, team building and morale elements of the Aleph Zadik Aleph and B’nai B’rith Girls experience. Since that time, AZAA has served as an integral component of the Aleph Zadik Aleph that engages both Alephs and non-members, excites young members and sustains older member involvement, and develops community partnerships often filling a communal need that doesn’t already exist. MBA has been embraced as part of BBG programming standards and enriched the B’nai B’rith Girl experience for existing Sisters.
Yet, while acknowledging MBA’s significance to the BBG community, MBA has never manifested as AZAA’s equal counterpart. Athletics is an under utilized outlet for character development, recreation, team building and self esteem that we, as B’nai B’rith Girls, could benefit from in limitless ways. Young women participate in sports and athletics through school teams, community leagues and competitive channels all of the time and the drive to participate is consistently growing with popularity. Moreover, creating a space where skill level is a non-factor, and the emphasis is on teamwork, healthy living, affordability and fun aligns with BBG’s overarching goals.
This motion’s intention is to enhance the ‘B’ in MBA to stand for Body, inclusive of B’nai B’rith Girls Games. B²G² will bring athletics to BBG and set-up a system for Chapters, Councils and Regions to participate in an athletic league parallel to AZAA – a program initiative our Brother Alephs are planning on strengthening intensively throughout the next year.

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Whereas there are countless Sister B’nai B’rith Girls and young Jewish women not yet involved in BBG that would meaningfully enjoy athletic and recreational programming; and Whereas BBG champions equality, modernity, self-esteem, and the advancement of young Jewish women in all sectors of Jewish and secular life; and Whereas intra and inter regional sports leagues would offer valuable networking opportunities throughout our continental and global BBG communities; Be it proclaimed that BBGG (the B’nai B’rith Girls Games) be established as BBG’s athletics and recreational league. BBGG will have intra and inter regional/council games and inter-hub tournaments (eventually) that coincide with the globalization of AZAA. BBGG will be part of International Convention 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia and will be encouraged to be an integral part of BBG Shabbat, Regional/Council/Chapter separates, and Sisterhood Weekends. BBGG will motivate girls who are committed to recreation or would view positively upon this new outlet to connect to other Jewish teen girls to get involved in our Order. Ultimately our Order will be stronger and our BBG experience richer as a result. Passed _____________________ Failed _____________________ Tabled _____________________

Stand Up! Week 2012/5772
Maker: 87^th Grand Board of the Aleph Zadik Aleph & 67^th International Board of the B’nai B’rith Girls

Second: Alana Ben-Zeev (North Florida), Alex Finkelstein (Central Region West), Marissa Finkleman (Lonestar), Adam Brimer (North Texas Oklahoma)

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Whereas Stand Up! is BBYO's global campaign to perform Tikkun Olam – repair of the world – through community service, philanthropy and advocacy; and  Whereas the new Stand Up! website will allow all Jewish teens (members and non-members alike) to connect and collaborate through service projects, advocacy resources, and track service hours more effectively; and  Whereas at IC 2011, Stand Up! week was launched to focus on all aspects of Stand Up!, Stand up for Each Other and Speak Up!; and  Whereas Stand Up! week was a success that we would like to make a staple to our calendar; and  Whereas J-Serve offers our global Movement a moment in time to Stand Up! and take action in an unparalleled way at any other time of the year; and Whereas new technologies and a more integrated Movement will enable us to share Stand Up! projects; and  Whereas mobilizing through a focused week of Tikkun Olam – repair of the world – will offer us a great opportunity to display to the global Jewish community that we're a force ready to help shape the future of the Jewish people; and  Whereas having a specified date for worldwide Standing Up! offers the opportunities for our global communities to get involved in changing the world as well,  Be it moved that Stand Up! Week 2012/5772 will occur April 15th through April 22nd culminating with J-serve. The week will highlight Stand Up! strategies each day of the week to be determined by the Stand Up! leadership network throughout the planning period.  Passed _____________________ Failed _____________________ Tabled _____________________

Enhanced Chapter Chartering Procedures for a Stronger AZA & BBG
Maker: 87^th Grand Board of the Aleph Zadik Aleph & 67^th International Board of the B’nai B’rith Girls

Second: Sammy Katz (Kentucky Indiana Ohio), Aaron Adler (Northern Region East: NoVA), Lucy Price (Westchester), Hannah Frank (Keystone Mountain)

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Whereas the genesis of a chapter is the most important time to create a solid foundation for its future; and Whereas creating new and effective chapters is an essential part to the expansion of our Order, especially now that AZA and BBG are increasingly growing in strength and numbers; and Whereas starting and maintaining new chapters is often work-, time- and attention-intensive on Regional/Council Boards, chapter leaders, and professional staff; and Whereas new chapters frequently struggle to further solidify themselves in the weeks and months following their chartering as their teen leaders are still learning and support systems begin to fade; and Whereas new chapters would dramatically benefit from an incentivized, supported establishment process that further guaranteed their longevity and teen leadership development/experience in a new chapter’s earliest days; and Whereas developing a positive, inclusive and self-sustaining chapter culture is an essential factor in building lost-lasting AZA and BBG chapter communities; and  Whereas we are seeking to make our movement more accessible than ever, and wish to position starting and building new chapters as the strongest entry point into leadership roles for aspiring or established teen leaders; and Whereas the proposed two-pronged incentivized chapter charter process has been proven to yield a healthy, disciplined and successful timeline for establishing strong chapters in communities where piloted; Be it moved that an enhanced Two Step Charter System be implemented around the Order. The Enhanced Two Step Charter System is an incentive based system that pushes new chapters to continue to expand and improve after they receive their first temporary charter at the 12 member threshold.   The Two Step Charter System features two phases of recognition and status: 1) Once a chapter reaches 12 members, they receive a temporary charter with their name recorded in the international registry and move forward with electing a chapter executive board. This achievement should be celebrated and acknowledged in a positive, public way. 2) After said chapter reaches the initial 12 members, the Chapter leaders, Regional/Council Board and Regional Staff will set a mutually agreed upon series of second benchmarks that is appropriate (for example 18-25 members, regular programming twice a month and discipline free for 3-6 months). This second benchmark must be communicated to all 12 members plus their advisor(s). Once the chapter hits the second charter benchmark, they gain the right to vote at Regional/Council elections and are a fully recognized as a functioning chapter of the Aleph Zadik Aleph or the B'nai B'rith Girls. A second permanent charter will be issued inclusive of a specific Chapter number recorded in the international registry. Passed _____________________ Failed _____________________ Tabled _____________________

Israel Advocacy Platform and Plan for 2011-2012
Maker: 87^th Grand Board of the Aleph Zadik Aleph & 67^th International Board of the B’nai B’rith Girls

Second: Jacob Levy (Eastern: Virginia), Kelly Szteinbaum (Central Region West), Emma Paikowsky (Mountain), Zach Rosen (Wisconsin)

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Whereas BBYO is the world’s leading pluralistic, Jewish youth movement; and Whereas at all levels of our movement, BBYO has a commitment to supporting Israel and the global Jewish community’s relationship with Israel; and Whereas BBYO saw a surge in popularity and implementation of the global pro-Israel advocacy campaign ‘Speak Up! for Israel’ in its inaugural program year (2010-2011); and Whereas ‘Speak Up! for Israel’ will continue to grow in participation and significant impact as the program year begins; and Whereas BBYO has had historic successes in supporting the State of Israel and the U.S./Canada-Israel relationship through advocacy efforts, fundraising campaigns and lobbying efforts including a 10,000+ signature petition delivered to the White House in 2006 requesting sanctions against Iran’s nuclear proliferation program; and Whereas AZA’s and BBG’s Orders have matured significantly over the last five years allowing for an opportunity to further our advocacy efforts on behalf of the State of Israel; Whereas Jewish teens – both those involved with BBYO as well as those involved across the entire community – have a voice; Be it resolved that AZA and BBG champion the following campaign in support of the State of Israel: The Petition Text We, the undersigned youth from across North America, collectively declare our strong support for the special relationship that the United States and Canada share with the State of Israel. We wish to express our profound gratitude to our elected officials for the role that they have played in supporting the Jewish State – our vital strategic partner and the only established democracy in the Middle East.   As instability and uncertainty in the region increase, Israel continues to serve as an anchor for Washington and Ottawa in the Middle East.  Moreover, Israel’s countless innovations in defense, security, agriculture, eco-sustainability, and the high-tech sector continue to benefit the United States, Canada and the global community.   We wish to urge our lawmakers to continue supporting Israel in its quest for peace and security. We ask that our governments continue to seek tough sanctions on Iran as long as Iran continues to seek nuclear weaponry advancements. We stand for human rights, for equality, and for self-governance. We stand for Israel’s right to exist in peace and security. Wherever we stand, we always stand with Israel.  Target Audiences As many teens (and those that support teen-led pro-Israel advocacy efforts) as possible with benchmark goals of 5,000, 10,000, and 18,000 signatures through online and in-person collection by January 1st, 2012. A minimum of 36 high school (public, private or Jewish) student body presidents displaying support for the U.S./Canada-Israel relationship. The petition will be organized by residential location of each signature and editions will be sent to elected representatives correlating with impressive digests expressing support for this key issue and will be submitted for print in community newspapers/news outlets. Passed _____________________ Failed _____________________ Tabled _____________________