West Chester BBYO

From Wikibbyo

Revision as of 21:38, 28 March 2010

West Chester Sondra Moore BBYO #5206 is a BBYO (co-ed) chapter in Central Region East #34. West Chester BBYO is the largest co-ed chapter in CRE, and the fifth largest chapter over all. West Chester is known for its spirit and strong leadership.

Advisors:

• Bonnie Krasner
• Doreen Strauss

Chapter History

West Chester BBYO was founded approximately 40 years ago as the youth group for Kesher Israel Congregation. The chapter was named after a community member who died in childhood of cancer. Advised for many years by Maurice Linnette, the chapter grew to become one of the strongest in the nation, with members taking many regional positions and even helping to write Stand Together (former chapter Godol and regional Moreh, Dan Gold). As the chapter moved into the 21st century, major changes occurred. First of all, there was a massive growth in the Jewish population of Chester County, leading to the establishment of a new synagogue, the third in the area. Secondly, 2 synagogues, including Kesher Israel, started USY chapters. In addition, growth within the chapter caused its board to decide to create two boards, one aza and one bbg, for the chapter to get it ready to split. This decision proved to be disastrous, as many young members were forced into high board positions and membership dropped; meanwhile, many of the chapter's best members were elected to regional and international boards, resulting in a leadership vacuum, and its only advisor quit. By the 2006-2007 year, the chapter (whose board had shrunken back to the traditional size) had fewer than 10 active members, including almost none of its executive board. Luckily, new advisors and new leadership have resulted in West Chester's reemergence as a force to be reckoned with within CRE.

Current Chapter Board (09-10)

• N'siah: Gillie Strauss (2010)
• S'ganit: Nicki Ivins (2010)
• Moreh: Billy Whalen (2011)
• Morah: Rebecca Zimmerman (2012)
• Mazkir: Josh Robertson (2012)
• Gizbor: Sam Barnett (2011)

Awards and Recognition

• 2009 Tournies (November) Spirit Stick, Division 2
• 2009 Tournies (November) 2nd Place, Division 2
• 2009 Tournies (January) 1st Place, Division 2
• 2008 Tournies 1st Place, Division 2
• 2007 Tournies 1st Place, Division 2

• 2009 Tree of Life, Harris Engelmann
• 2008 Tree of Life/Silver Shield of David, Joel Rosen

Regional & International Board Members

• 83rd Grand Aleph Mazkir, Joel Rosen (07-08)
• 28th Regional Mazkir, Joel Rosen (06-07)
• 26th Regional S'ganit, Thea Ivins (05-06)
• 26th Regional Morah, Liz Bentley (05-06)
• 23rd Regional S'ganit, Bonnie Weintraub (02-03)
• 22nd Regional Mazkirah, Jen Goldstein (01-02)
• 20th Regional S'ganit, Alyssa Lee (99-00)
• 19th Regional Godol, David Hulnick (97-98)
• 18th Regional N'siah, Aliza Paskow (97-98)
• 1st Regional Shaliach, David Hulnick (96-97)

Previous Chapters Boards

2008-2009

• Godol: Harris Englemann
• S'gan: Matt Sokoloff
• S'ganit: Kassi Bugg
• Moreh: CJ Nolt
• Morah: Nicki Ivins
• Mazkir: Greg Faber
• Gizbor: Josh Robertson
• Sh'licha: Melissa Amilani

2007-2008

• N'siah: Claire Steiner
• S'ganit: Kassi Bugg
• Moreh: Harris Englemann
• Morah: Nicki Ivins
• Mazkir: Greg Faber
• Gizborit: Jill Steiner
• Sh'licha: Melissa Amilani

2006-2007

• N'siah: Mia Robb
• S'ganit: Ariel Kramer
• Moreh: Brian DeMarco
• Morah: Claire Steiner
• Mazkir: Greg Faber
• Sh'licha: Heather Shoolman
• Gizbor: Gary Brown

2005-2006

• Godol: Alex Faber
• N'siah: Emily Feinman
• S'gan: Gary Brown
• S'ganit: Heather Shoolman
• Moreh: Joel Rosen
• Morah: Mia Robb
• Mazkir: Alex Sitkoff
• Mazkirah: Rebecca Feinman
• Shaliach:
• Sh'licha: Ellie Brown
• Gizbor: Dan Rosen
• Gizborit:

2004-2005

• Godol: Dan Rosen
• N'siah: Thea Ivins
• S'gan:
• S'ganit:
• Moreh:
• Morah: Emily Feinman
• Mazkir: Alex Faber
• Shaliach:
• Sh'licha:
• Gizbor:
• Gizborit:

2001-2002

• N'siah: Bonnie Weintraub

2000-2001

• Gizborit: Jen Goldstein

1999-2000

• N'siah: Jennifer Hulnick
• Mazkirah: Jen Goldstein

1998-1999

• N'siah: Alyssa Lee
• S'ganit: Jackie Woinsky
• Moreh: Anton Pribysh
• Morah: Zoe Maltby
• Mazkir: Ryan Weber
• Sh'licha: Jennifer Hulnick
• Gizbor: Adam Paskow

1997-1998

• N'siah: Lisa Kodish
• S'ganit: Jennifer Hulnick
• Moreh: Mike Rawl
• Morah: Alyssa Lee
• Mazkirah: Jackie Woinsky
• Shaliach: Noam Oz

1996-1997

• Godol: Dan Feinberg

1995-1996

• Godol: David Hulnick