BBYO, the largest Jewish youth group in the world, has shaped me as a person and a leader during my high school experience. In this organization, I have held multiple leadership positions, including my current position of Wisconsin Regional Godol (President) of the Aleph Zadik Aleph, the boys’ half of the organization.
As Godol, I am in charge of more than 150 teens and four chapters around the greater Milwaukee area. Together, we participate in community service, learn about Jewish identity, advocate for Israel, and much more.
This organization has led me to many discoveries, from the importance of Jewish pride to the beauty of the land of Israel. As senior year begins, my latest discovery is the importance of community, something I hope to continue to learn and understand at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The most important thing BBYO has taught me and made me realize is the importance of community. Community service and volunteering is essential in the development of a successful and well-rounded community.
For example, every year, I volunteer at food pantries and at nursing homes. Almost every time I have volunteered, somebody at the place of service has thanked me. “Please don’t thank me for doing a good deed,” I reply. Not only is service important, but also the resulting feeling of unity within the community is vital.
As Godol, I work closely with an adult BBYO commission board, a few times of year with Israeli representatives, and often with the Jewish Community Center and Milwaukee Jewish Federation.
For example, last year, I led a ceremony for a man who has been involved in Wisconsin BBYO for over 60 years. I represented the teens of our organization and connected with several current donors, commission members, and past members of BBYO.
This experience certainly demonstrated how lucky the Jewish teens in the Milwaukee area are to have such wonderful people supporting our organization. Ultimately, our unity works to accomplish one goal: To keep the pride in Judaism alive in the city of Milwaukee.
Community, my most recent discovery, has taught me much about the importance of having a close-knit relationship with those around me. As I transition into college, I will continue to learn the importance of community.
Perhaps, this education will come through experiencing a different type of community than which I have grown up, something nearly absolutely imminent. The demographics and overall vibe of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will give me such an experience that I can grow from. In addition, with my leadership experiences and sense of community, I hope to have a major role in an extracurricular group or activity on campus.
My experience in the Milwaukee Jewish community has shown me countless things about community’s importance, and I look forward to learning about another community elsewhere as the years go on.
Zach Rosen, the son of Deborah and Bernard Rosen, is a senior at Homestead High School in Mequon. He sent this essay as part of his application to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill; it is reprinted by the author’s permission.
BBYO was known as B’nai B’rith Youth Organization before becoming independent of B’nai B’rith International in 2002.
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