Josh Rutman. Photo courtesy of BBYOInsider

On February 17–21, 2022, in Baltimore, Maryland, 35 Austin teens joined thousands of other teens, educators, thought and business leaders, celebrities, political figures and philanthropists from around the world at BBYO International Convention 2022. BBYO is the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences. With extensive health and safety measures in place, IC 2022 offered countless opportunities for Jewish teens to come together again and connect with like-minded peers to define a future for themselves and their communities that will make the world a better place for all.  

 For the Austin community, elections of the 2022-2023 Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) and B’nai B’rith Girls (BBG) International Boards were a highlight.  Josh Rutman of Anderson High School in Austin, was elected as International Moreh (Vice President of Membership and Recruitment).  In this role, Josh will be a part of a 12-member international teen board that will help organize BBYO’s vision for the coming year and provide leadership and support to teen leaders in local communities throughout the BBYO system. 

“By being elected to serve on the International Board of AZA, I have been given the incredible opportunity to impact the lives of Jewish teens across the world. I am honored to be able to elevate the BBYO experience for all members and create a more inclusive environment for every single Jewish teen,” Rutman said. “It has been an amazing journey to get to this point, and I wouldn’t be here without the support of my parents, family, and friends who have been there to watch me grow as a leader.”  

Among the special guests who addressed IC attendees this year were Mike Posner, Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and record producer; President of Kraft Family Philanthropies, Josh Kraft; Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Senior Rabbi, Central Synagogue of New York; Simu Lu, actor and writer, Marvel Cinematic Universe; Corey Stern, attorney against the City of Flint, State of Michigan; Eve Barlow, freelance music journalist; A.J. Dillon, running back, Green Bay Packers; Jurnee Smollett, Emmy-nominated actress and activist; and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Nikki Fried.

In addition to the hundreds of speakers and educators at IC throughout the weekend, delegates had access to a variety of unique program highlights including:  

• One-of-a-kind experiences with NASA, TED, the National Aquarium, and the Autobahn Speedway (nearly 40 leadership labs and direct service projects in all).
• Exclusive musical performances by Steve Aoki, Tai Verdes, Surfaces, and Social House. 
• A reimagined IC Summit experience produced in conjunction with a coalition of partner agencies including ADL, National Council of Jewish Women, OpenDor Media, Pardes, Repair the World, Startup Experience, and World Jewish Congress, among others. 
• A new Saturday night social experience, BBYO Block Party, including the world championship of BBYO’s global eSports tournament in partnership with Lost Tribe. 
• A partnership with JCC Maccabi® to deliver the new AZAA and BBGG Sports and Wellness Expo featuring health and nutrition workshops, competitive sports, and interactions with experts in the field, as part of a broader rollout of sports and wellness programming across the BBYO global Movement in 2022. For both organizations, who together comprise the two largest pluralistic youth-engaging platforms on the continent, this joining of forces at IC marks an exciting springboard to more expansive collaboration opportunities including elevating one another’s involvement in their signature annual gatherings, BBYO International Convention and the summer JCC Maccabi Games®, and future initiatives that engage Jewish teens through sports, fitness, and travel.  
• An expanded Jewish Learning Lab, a wider series of teen-led sessions, and all-new networking events throughout convention. 

“We are so proud of Josh and excited to see him continue to work hard to empower teens to leave their mark on our Austin Jewish community, as well as the Jewish community around the world,” said Annie Abramowitz, Austin BBYO City Director. 

For more information about BBYO in Austin, contact Annie Abramowitz at annie.abramowitz@shalomaustin.org.