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May 12, 2026
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SUMMARY:
BBYO’s teen leaders are moving forward with conviction during an era of global uncertainty. Through elections, global gatherings and leadership programming, teens are tasked with shaping the organization’s priorities and one another’s experiences. Youth presidents Logan Reich and Mercedes Benzaquen illustrate how this model works in a recent episode of the podcast, Good Things.
This story is adapted from Bright Spots, a new mini-series within the Good Things podcast. Produced in partnership with Lemonada Media, the series features bite-sized stories of community impact that leave listeners feeling inspired and hopeful about what is possible. In a moment when so much feels uncertain, each story shines a light on the people who are making a difference in their communities right now, and the solutions that can make a difference in other communities, too. Listen to the episode below or wherever you get your podcasts, and check out Good Things for additional episodes.
For six weeks, amid homework, sports practices and other activities, teenagers prepared for their chance to share their vision for BBYO’s future and be elected to the organization’s international board. They spent hours writing essays, preparing self-evaluations and holding interviews, which culminated in the presentation of four-minute speeches before 350 voting teen delegates at BBYO’s International Convention (IC). This year was especially exciting as more than 50 teens, a record number of candidates, put themselves forward for one of the 12 board seats.
This year’s board presidents Logan Reich, 19, and Mercedes Benzaquen, 18, who ran the election process from start to finish, recently joined an episode of Lemonada Media’s podcast, Good Things, to explore what is driving this year’s high level of interest and discuss the importance of the trust BBYO places in teens.
“The world we're living in right now is one where, now more than ever, it feels like we're out of control. BBYO truly is a space where we, as teenagers, have control. The priorities we set as a movement, the statements we make, the initiatives we build and the local programming that happens are in our hands.”
BBYO truly is a space where we, as teenagers, have control. The priorities we set as a movement, the statements we make, the initiatives we build and the local programming that happens are in our hands.
Mercedes, who revived her local BBYO chapter in Barcelona, Spain, and Logan, who expanded his BBYO chapter in Asheville, North Carolina, know how empowering it feels to go from spectators of Jewish history to authors of it.
They explain that for teens who have grown up in the context of rising antisemitism, October 7, and wars across Europe and the Middle East, reclaiming a sense of agency can come as a relief. It is a sense of possibility that is inspiring record numbers of Jewish teens to participate in and step up as leaders in the BBYO Jewish youth movement.
Throughout the year, BBYO members have ongoing opportunities to shape experiences in local chapters and regional settings. But the highlight of the BBYO calendar belongs to IC.
Every year, thousands of Jewish teens involved in BBYO come from around the world to IC to be together, have fun and tap into a powerful moment of joy and belonging. “There are different languages and chants and speeches and programs that are all getting run and led by teenagers,” says Logan. “I can't smile wide enough.”
There are different languages and chants and speeches and programs that are all getting run and led by teenagers. I can't smile wide enough.
At this year’s Friday night Shabbat service in Philadelphia, teens led 14 different ceremonies that reflected the array of religious observance, traditions and interests among BBYO members, concluding with a unified Shabbat dinner.
Whereas other organizations think of teens as leaders-in-waiting, BBYO knows that teens do not and should not have to wait to lead. The structure, which is focused on inspiring Jewish teens to find their people, purpose and communities, provides teens with multiple pathways to grow as leaders.
Notably, by pursuing elected office as part of BBYO’s leadership, teens learn how to articulate a vision, galvanize their peers and deliver on the substantive work of governing.
The ripple effects of this model are expansive: teens gain confidence and leadership experience, Jewish life becomes more relevant and responsive, and communities benefit from generations of young Jews who are putting in the work to make life better for the people around them.
History has proven that the health of Jewish communities and the health of liberal democracies are closely tied. The more engaged the next generation is in good governance and safeguarding multicultural civic life, the better off we all will be.
It is no wonder there is a growing push to encourage Jewish organizations to add teen members to their boards. Placing trust and responsibility in the hands of teen leaders is a win for teens, for the entire Jewish sector and for the many countries Jews call home.
Hear more from Logan and Mercedes about their leadership experience in the full Bright Spots episode, out now wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about BBYO, visit: www.bbyo.org.
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