At the recent BBYO International Convention held in Baltimore, Sami Cooper, a student at the George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, was elected international gizborit, or treasurer.
In that role, Sami, a member of BBYO Baltimore Council’s Orali BBG #1798 chapter, will be part of a 12-member international teen board to help set BBYO’s agenda for the coming year and provide support to teen leaders in local communities throughout the organization’s system.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., BBYO promotes Jewish identity, fellowship and leadership development skills among Jewish teenagers around the world. More than 3,000 teens from 40 countries attended the convention in Baltimore from Feb. 17-21. The convention is believed to be the largest Jewish gathering since the beginning of the pandemic.
Sami was among 75 Baltimore area teens who attended the convention.
“I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to help expand BBYO’s community globally and enhance the experiences of every single teen in BBYO,” said Sami, 17. “As Gizborit is a newer position on BBYO’s International Board, I hope to define the position while shaping fundraising across BBYO.
“I am so excited to expand my experiences and leadership as I work with communities around the world,” she said. “I cannot wait for next year and for what the future holds, and I am so thankful for my mentors and friends who helped me grow as a leader and reach this point.”
The theme of this year’s convention was “The Power of Us.” Speakers included Mike Posner, a Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter; Rabbi Angela Buchdahl of New York’s Central Synagogue, who fielded calls from the hostage-taker in last month’s assault on a Texas synagogue; A. J. Dillon, the Green Bay Packers running back, and Zach Banner, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive tackle; Nikki Fried, Florida’s agriculture commissioner who is running for governor; and Jurney Smollett, an Emmy-nominated actress.
Strict COVID protections, including proof of vaccination, testing and masking, were in place throughout the convention.
“Baltimore BBYO is so proud to have hosted the International Convention and welcome thousands to our city,” said Ilana Kornblatt, regional director of BBYO Baltimore. “Our local teen leaders continue to innovate and take leadership roles both in BBYO and within the greater Baltimore community. We are so proud of Sami’s election to BBYO’s International Board and excited to see her execute her vision and build meaningful Jewish experiences for teens all over the world.”
For information about BBYO in Baltimore, visit bbyo.org/bbyo-near-you or contact Ilana Kornblatt at ikornblatt@bbyo.org.
A Baltimore native, Sweren was a collector of artists' books whose own works were displayed in national galleries.
The BCO, founded in 1984, will perform the works of Frank Zappa, Beethoven, Mason Bates and Karena Ingram.
For more than 130 years, Sol Levinson & Bros. has been woven into the fabric of Baltimore’s Jewish community.
Led by local Israel-American cellist Amit Peled, the Mount Vernon Virtuosi aims to inspire people beyond musical enjoyment.