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DENVER, Feb. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, nearly 3,500 teens from 50 countries and more than 1,000 adult guests and speakers will assemble at BBYO International Convention (IC) in Denver, Colorado, February 13–17, 2025, representing the largest annual gathering of Jewish teen leaders worldwide. IC will provide an unparalleled platform for teens to celebrate their Jewish identities, explore social issues, gain insights into the current events in Israel and the Middle East, celebrate Shabbat, and find joy in being together.

This year's convention theme, Limitless Horizons, underscores the Movement's commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders to explore boundless opportunities, embrace diverse perspectives, and shape the future of Jewish life. Throughout the dynamic five-day experience, delegates will engage with inspiring speakers and influencers, dive into hands-on service projects, take part in unique experiences and sports tournaments, enjoy exclusive music performances, and unite as young Jews who take pride in their identity while navigating significant challenges.

IC 2025 will feature an exceptional lineup of change agents, influencers, and activists, including: Asher Angel, actor and musician; Lani Anpo, Native American and Jewish advocate and anti-propagandist; Giancarlo Esposito, award-winning actor, director, and producer; Eden Golan, Israeli singer and 2024 Eurovision contestant; Jake Goldberg, actor and content creator; Samantha Harris, TV host, author, and certified health coach; Natan Levy, professional MMA fighter; Avi Mayer, former Editor-in-Chief, The Jerusalem Post; Jake Retzlaff, quarterback, BYU Cougars; Tara Davis-Woodhall & Hunter Woodhall, Olympic and Paralympic gold medalists; and Ellie Zeiler, influencer and activist.

"BBYO is thrilled to create an experience that Jewish teens from all corners of the globe have been eagerly anticipating. We take immense pride in the elevated role our teen leaders play in bringing IC to life, reflecting our core belief in their power and potential," shared Matt Grossman, CEO of BBYO. "More than ever, Jewish teens need to find strength in unity while building relationships they will take to the next stages of their lives."

IC 2025 will bring together 500 non-U.S. delegates from 49 countries across Europe, Asia, Latin America, Canada, Australia, and Africa. For the first time, teens representing new chapters from the Dominican Republic, Japan, Panama, Peru, Taiwan and United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi), and will join the IC experience, further expanding BBYO's global reach. A special delegation from A special delegation from JDC's Active Jewish Teens in Ukraine will underscore BBYO's steadfast commitment to supporting young people in conflict zones. Additionally, BBYO will continue its partnership with Arab Israeli teen communities in Israel, welcoming a delegation of Druze youth professionals and teens from Yarka to IC to promote cross-cultural dialogue and understanding. BBYO is also excited to spotlight the growth of Jewish life in Uganda with 13 chapters across Kenya and Uganda and nearly 600 teens participating, and will welcome Chief Rabbi Gershom Sizomu of Uganda to IC, who has been instrumental in strengthening Jewish identity and education across the region.

Ahead of IC, Global Ambassadors Week (GAW) will bring Jewish teens from around the world together for cultural exchange and leadership experiences. Hosted by 175 Denver families, delegates will spend time with their peers, celebrate Shabbat, attend an NBA game with hundreds of community members, and participate in leadership summits. They will explore topics such as technology, business, politics, and the environment, at local Denver institutions like the Denver Art Museum, the Colorado State Capitol, and the University of Colorado Denver.

"Seeing the creativity of so many talented teens who have come together to build unforgettable programs, alongside a lineup of events unlike any before, pushes the boundaries of what IC can bring to BBYO members," shared Jake Solar, Grand Aleph S'gan (teen vice president of programming). "This year's convention is truly raising the bar—every moment is designed to inspire, connect, and celebrate our Movement," added Mercedes Benzaquen, International S'ganit (teen vice president of programming).

In addition to teen programming and experiences, IC will serve as a gathering place for the Jewish community's most influential philanthropists, professionals, and educators to collaborate on pressing issues impacting young people and youth-serving organizations. This year BBYO will host a Summit on Pluralism at IC to examine the fundamental shift in how educational leadership is evolving within the Jewish community. Participants will explore how a more pluralistic approach to Jewish education and content can be fostered in the years to come.

Unique IC highlights this year include:

• Leadership Labs and Service Experiences: Teens will have access to 42 learning and service experiences at local venues, including A Precious Child, Coors Field, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Institute for Animal-Human Connection, Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center, The CELL (Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab), and the University of Denver.
• Unbroken Museum: In partnership with Maccabi World Union, a powerful pop-up museum at IC will showcase Israeli sports resilience post-October 7. 
• Mini Israel: Delegates can experience a high-energy, interactive space celebrating Israeli culture where they can listen to music, play games like Matkot (paddleball) and SheshBesh (backgammon), and immerse themselves in Israel's sights, sounds, and scents. 
• AZAA/BBGG Sports Tournament: An all-new groundbreaking sports competition that will bring teens together to compete in high-energy matchups and participate in exclusive clinics led by professional and collegiate athletes. The tournament will culminate in an all-star round—where top players may go head-to-head with the pros!
• Jewish Learning Lab: An enriched J-Lab experience will offer teens a hands-on way to explore Judaism creatively. With the theme of the Beit HaMikdash (Temple), teens can create their own modern interpretation of the Temple while reflecting on themes of gratitude, morality, and introspection.
• IC Film Festival: BBYO is inviting Jewish teens to showcase their creativity and passion for Jewish life through short films centered on Jewish pride and joy at its inaugural IC Film Festival. Top entries will compete for a $1,000 Legacy in Film Grand Prize and mentorship with alumni in the film industry. 
• Podcast Studio: Sponsored by Table Talk with @bbyoinsider, an all-new Podcast Studio will give teens access to exclusive interviews with VIP guests, as well as opportunities to take advantage of open mic times to record their own podcasts onsite.
• Denver Sightseeing Tours: Teens will explore the area's many entertainment, cultural, and historical sites, including Cave of the Winds, Denver Zoo, Echo Mountain Tubing, Olympic & Paralympic Museum, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, and The Rink at Evergreen Lake.
• Exclusive Musical Performances: Delegates will have access to private concerts by top artists, including Andy Grammer, Swae Lee, Galantis, and DJ SASI, Founder of Nova Community and Producer of the Nova Music Festival.
• Stand UP Cause: BBYO remains committed to giving back, and this year's Stand UP Cause is Reach Out and Read, which asks teens to bring a book in any language to donate. 

For those unable to attend IC, BBYO will live stream select sessions on social media via BBYO's Facebook page, Instagram, and YouTube channel. Schedules for streaming throughout the weekend are on BBYO's International Convention event page.

By The Numbers: BBYO International Convention (IC) 2025

• Teen Participants: nearly 3,500 teens with representation from:
  • 480 North American and global chapters
    • 73 Regions/Communities
    • 50 North American states, districts, and provinces 
    • 48 countries, including the United States and Canada

• Adult Participants: over 1,000 adults, including:
• More than 300 featured speakers, guests, and popular music performers
• Philanthropists, clergy, alumni, business, and thought leaders
• Dozens of program educators and Jewish enrichment consultants
• Brand, community, and program partners and sponsors
• Professional BBYO staff
• Hundreds of local volunteers, advisors, and parents

• Partners: 200+ brand, program, and community partners, including:
• AEPi, Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, Taglit Birthright Israel, Hebrew Union College, Hillel International, Jewish National Fund USA (JNF) / Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI), Jewish Student Union (JSU), Jewish Youth Pledge, Kahal/JDC Entwine, Keshet
• International, Liquid Screen Design, MASA Israel Journey, Repair the World, RootOne, Save a Child's Heart, Shine A Light Gaming, Sigma Delta Tau (SDT), StandWithUs, Talk Israel, The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), University of Denver, WIX Tomorrow, World Jewish Congress (WJC), ZBT.

ABOUT BBYO
BBYO is the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in meaningful Jewish experiences. For 100 years, BBYO's purpose has been to unleash the power of youth. BBYO's leadership programs, the Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA, high school fraternity) and the B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG, high school sorority), provide exceptional leadership programs and identity enrichment experiences, shaping the confidence and character of hundreds of thousands of alumni who are prominent figures in business, politics, academia, the arts, and Jewish communal life. Together, AZA and BBG form a global Jewish teen movement in over 60 countries around the world. With year-round activities in hundreds of local communities, many summer leadership programs, and inspiring worldwide travel experiences, BBYO's programs enable teens to explore all facets of leadership, service, civic engagement, Israeli education, and Jewish values. For more information on BBYO, please visit our website and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

Please note that BBYO should not be referred to as the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization but rather as "BBYO."

For more information on BBYO, please visit bbyo.org and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

SOURCE BBYO