B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO)

For almost 100 years, B’nai B’rith (BBYO) has empowered teens to lead its governance and programming, developing some of the finest leaders in Jewish Community Centers, Federations, Hillels, and summer camps. Following Covid-19, a Mandel Foundation grant supported the 2022 International Convention to be the “comeback” experience that teens deserved following the pandemic’s disruption. Building on the enthusiastic success of that event, annual support continued, and BBYO’s International Convention is now the largest gathering of Jewish teen leaders worldwide. With over 5,000 in-person attendees and thousands more participating virtually, it has become a week-long celebration of Jewish learning and leadership; the Foundation made an additional five-year investment in 2025.

In addition to support for the annual Convention, the Foundation allocated funds in 2026 for strategic planning and development. This will enable BBYO to advance the use of technology, expand its fundraising capacity and ensure the long-term sustainability of programs and services while also broadening teen engagement.