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Jewish joy in Philadelphia 3,400 BBYO teens hear Josh Shapiro pep talk at confab
By Carin M. Smilk, JNS Anyone who classifies Jewish youth as an apathetic lot has never been to a B’nai B’rith Youth Organization international convention. Bedecked in colors and outfits that reflected their 52 home countries, Jewish teens shouted and waved hands, flags and banners in an expression of effusive delight (and perhaps, a bit of relief) to be among others like them. They filled the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia last Thursday night with youthful energy, practically running through the Grand Hall into a massive ballroom. Once there, they filed in to find their seats among the thousands of participants and guests who attended the opening ceremony of a jam-packed five-day program, taking place from Feb. 12-15 over the Presidents’ Day holiday weekend.
“We the Future” was the theme of the 2026 BBYO International Convention in Philadelphia over Presidents’ Day weekend. Carin M. Smilk
A total of 3,400 Jewish teen leaders signed up for International Convention 2026 — or just “IC,” in the lingo of those in the know — representing 511 chapters from North America and around the world.
The theme of this year’s conference was “We the Future.” As with all things teen, the festivities began with music — first with a teen band and then with members of a troupe from the hit Broadway
show “Hamilton.” The performers belted out four popular tunes, with most in the crowd standing on their chairs, and singing or mouthing the lyrics verbatim, moving to the music in the first quarter of the 21st centu-
ry like it was the “Hair” of their time. It was a hard act to follow. But Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, gave it the old high school try. First, he gave a shout-out to liberty and to Philadelphia. “It’s so good to see you here,” he belted out from the stage. “I want to welcome you to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” He started by stating that 250 years ago, “just down the street,” patriots living in what is now the United States declared independence from a king in England. But, he said, “they left the work incomplete. They left the job to the next generation. They left the job to you.” Because, he emphasized, “you are the future, and you are the power to shape it. And don’t wait. The future is right now. Do not look for others to do the work. This is not an opportunity. This is your responsibility.” The crowd cheered, many of them understanding the reference to their religion and their work as youth ambassadors of Judaism and Israel. See B’nai B’rith on page 2
Worried about kids’ Jewish identity? Camp’s the ticket. ESTHER LIFSHITZ
Chabad of Idaho
I
spent the first weekend of February in Brooklyn with 4,500 Jewish women at the annual International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Women Emissaries. We came from more than 100 countries, each one holding Jewish life together in her part of the world. We show up annually to be honest with each other about what we’re
seeing, what’s working and what’s not and what the next 12 months demand of us. At this conference, one announcement stayed with me long after the room cleared — CKids International launched incentive grants to send Jewish children to overnight camp. For anyone watching the quiet erosion of Jewish pride and identity in real time, it felt like a breath of fresh air. Here’s why: If you want to fight antisemitism and secure Jewish continuity, stop sprinkling Jewish experiences throughout the year. Send your children to a Jewish overnight camp. See Summer camp on page 2
Friday afternoon challah-baking at CKids Gan Israel Poconos, in Pennsylvania, one of six such overnight camps where girls learn about the beauty of Shabbat hands on. Tamar Gellis, CKids