About Jewish 3,500 teens from 50 countries assembled at BBYO International Convention (IC) from Feb. 13–17, in Denver, including 10 Alephs from Two’s AZA.
IC, considered the largest annual gathering of Jewish teen leaders worldwide, provides a platform for teens to “celebrate their Jewish identities, explore social issues, gain insights into the current events in Israel and the Middle East, celebrate Shabbat, and find joy in being together.”
Delegates engaged with inspiring speakers and influencers, participated in AZAA/BBGG Sports Tournaments, enjoyed exclusive music performances and explored the area’s many entertainment, cultural and historical sites.
“It is a whole week of meeting new people, reconnecting with old friends and having tons of fun,” Two’s Godol Bryan Persky said.
Two’s took home several International Awards at the five-day convention: Judah Bassin, Rising Leader Award; Eli Nathan, Tree of Life Recruitment Award; and BBYO IC Film Festival – (Runner-Up) People’s Choice Award. In addition, the chapter was one of eight chapters in the world to receive the BBYO Stand Up Gemilut Chasidm Award for its Stand Up campaign, “If I Had The World To Give,” aimed at ending child hunger. The award is given to chapters around the world that work to better their community through direct service, philanthropy, advocacy, community organizing and entrepreneurship.
“Being one of eight chapters to get the Stand Up award means so much,” Persky said. “We have worked so hard on making a difference in our community and seeing the result of it made the whole chapter feel like what we did had a purpose.”
This year’s convention theme was “Limitless Horizons.” Among the lineup of influencers and activists were: Asher Angel, actor and musician; Lani Anpo, Native American and Jewish advocate and anti-propagandist; Giancarlo Esposito, award-winning actor, director, and producer; Eden Golan, Israeli singer and 2024 Eurovision contestant; Jake Goldberg, actor and content creator; Samantha Harris, TV host, author, and certified health coach; Natan Levy, professional MMA fighter; Avi Mayer, former Editor-in-Chief, The Jerusalem Post; Jake Retzlaff, quarterback, BYU Cougars; Tara Davis-Woodhall & Hunter Woodhall, Olympic and Paralympic gold medalists; and Ellie Zeiler, influencer and activist.
The final night of the convention featured a “Block Party” that included concerts with Swae Lee, Galantis, and DJ SASI, Founder of Nova Community and Producer of the Nova Music Festival.
“It was amazing to see thousands of Jews from dozens of countries gathered in one place,” said Two’s Sopher Micah Kramer, who was attending his first IC. “I felt like it was a celebration of a thriving Jewish youth and of a strong AZA and BBG.”
Delegates represented 480 North American and global chapters; 73 Regions/Communities; 50 North American states, districts, and provinces; and 48 countries.
“It was so cool to be able to meet people from all across the country and the world,” Two’s Mazkir Will Widman said. “Being able to openly express myself around thousands of other Jewish teens was truly an amazing experience.”
This was the second IC for Two’s sophomore Jack Bowen.
“Being at IC is a crazy and amazing experience,” Bowen said. “It is awesome meeting people from all over the world all because of my religion. It’s crazy how so many different people from different places can come together and connect like they have known each other for years.”
Two’s Shaliach Michael Furey was a member of the IC Steering Committee, helping plan one of the Friday night Shabbat services.
“Overall, my time helping steer the Shabbat was one of the best experiences of my life because it helped me gain leadership skills that I’m going to bring into my chapter,” Furey said.
According to BBYO, IC 2025 brought together 500 non-U.S. delegates from 49 countries across Europe, Asia, Latin America, Canada, Australia, and Africa. For the first time, teens representing new chapters from the Dominican Republic, Japan, Panama, Peru, Taiwan and United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi), joined the IC experience, further expanding BBYO’s global reach.
Among the sightseeing sites teens visited included: Cave of the Winds, Denver Zoo, Echo Mountain Tubing, Olympic & Paralympic Museum, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, University of Colorado (Boulder) and The Rink at Evergreen Lake.
For Persky, highlights included the celebrity meet and greets, the sightseeing tour and the inaugural IC Film Festival, which featured Two’s short film, “The Grand Order of the Aleph Zadik Aleph.” After the showing of the film, Persky participated in the Director’s Panel.
“The film festival was something newly introduced this year,” Persky said, “and was a chance for chapters to capture a message and turn it into an awesome film.”
Two’s Advisor David Wexler joined the Two’s delegation at IC. Although Wexler did not win the International Advisor of the Year Award, he said he was “honored and humbled” to be among the 25 finalists and thanked all who nominated him.
The following Two’s members attended the convention: Bryan Persky, Michael Furey, Eli Nathan, Danny Martin, Will Widman, Jack Bowen, Sam Hochler, Micah Kramer, Rex Hebberd and Daniel Nevat.
Next year’s International Convention will be held in Philadelphia.
