BBYO
Welcome to North Star Chapter
BBYO is the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement in the world, empowering young people to build meaningful Jewish identity, leadership skills, and lifelong friendships. Through hands-on experiences, social connection, service, and leadership development, BBYO helps teens discover who they are, what they care about, and how they can make an impact.
The North Star Chapter, proudly supported by the Minnesota JCC, connects Jewish teens across the Twin Cities through engaging programs, community service, and unforgettable experiences. Together, BBYO and the Minnesota JCC create welcoming spaces where teens feel a sense of belonging, grow as leaders, and build lasting connections to Jewish life, community, and each other.
Explore BBYO
About North Star Council
Events are planned by teens, for teens, and programming ranges from fun activities such as ice skating and overnight camping to communal Shabbat celebrations and leadership training. A parent, advisor, or regional staff member is always on hand to ensure safety and health.
Through youth-led and staff-supported programs, BBYO North Star Council provides our members with opportunities to develop leadership skills and make a positive impact on their communities, the world, and themselves. We continually strive to provide more Jewish teens with more meaningful Jewish experiences each day, so they can become future Jewish leaders in their communities and across the Jewish world.
Regional Conventions
As a BBYO member, you’re invited to join other teens in the Mid-America Region for fun weekend conventions throughout the year that typically take place at a camp, hotel, or retreat center.
Conventions are planned and led by teens in BBYO for various purposes. Some conventions address the year’s major business and provide opportunities to elect officers to the regional board. In other instances, conventions bring members together for a fun and meaningful weekend of programming, activities, Shabbat moments, and hanging out with friends! Conventions are what members look forward to most during the school year. It’s where friendships are formed.
BBYO International Convention
Every year over U.S. Presidents Day weekend in February, more than 5,000 of the Jewish community’s top teen leaders, educators, professionals, and philanthropists from around the world gather for one of the largest Jewish communal events of the year. IC is the largest international gathering of Jewish teen leaders and the second-largest Jewish communal event in North America.
Delegates hear from and meet inspiring speakers, deepen leadership skills, serve the local community, celebrate Shabbat and learn together, have access to exclusive music performances, and do their part to strengthen the Jewish Future.
In addition to showcasing spirit and community pride, International Convention (IC) delegates participate in the democratic process of advancing BBYO’s agenda and elect the next AZA and BBG International Boards. Opportunities to be a part of IC’s host region, engage with the local community, reunite with old friends, and build lifelong global friendships are constants of every IC and are always major highlights of the experience.
BBYO Summer Experiences
With 100 years of providing meaningful experiences to Jewish teens, we know a thing or two about creating life-changing summers filled with adventure, growth, friendship, and fun. Whether close to home or far away, our programs embrace pluralistic Jewish values and offer opportunities for inspiration, connection, and community.