FRC

This past weekend’s Fall Regional Convention in Clayton, Mo., was a memorable experience for the 36 Kansas City attendees, particularly for Kansas City Chapter No. 2, which proudly represented the region. With 12 Two’s AZA Alephs present, the chapter made its mark in various ways, from the relaunch of the chapter newspaper, The Rolling Paper, to an exhilarating overtime victory on the basketball court.

The MARvel-themed convention was held at the Clayton Plaza. In all, there were 104 attendees, with teens from St. Louis, Omaha, Sioux City and Minnesota present.

Kansas City Council took home the MAR Spirit Gavel, presented at the end of the three-day convention.

The weekend kicked off with a Shabbat service, led by Michael Harlow, a song leader and Music/Teen Educator now living in Brooklyn, N.Y. After Shabbat services, BBYOers competed in a “Battle of the Councils” dance contest — the first competition of the weekend. BBYOers were all placed in random groups within their council and were given 30 minutes to prepare a lip sync song and dance to a song chosen by the council presidents. (To make groups more even, Eli and Maya Nathan and Jacinda Gold represented Omaha Council.)

The winning team was Kansas City Team #2 captained by KC Council Godol Noah Bergh, performing to the song “Toxic” by Britney Spears. The squad consisted of: Noah Bergh, Naftali Tilove, Beatrix Colbert, Lucy Warner, Lilly Blinn, Naama Reem, Charlotte Shatron, Emma Bowen and Two’s Alephs Danny Martin, Sam Hochler, Jack Bowen, Hudson Zack, Judah Bassin and Bryan Persky. Kansas City Team #1 captained by KC Council N’siah Sami Sandler finished in third place with a performance to the song “Sexy and I Know It” by LMFAO.

The opening day was capped off with “Two’s Tuck-ins.” Two’s members read passages from “The Three Little Jayhawks” and the Dr. Seuss book, “Oh, the Thinks You Can Think” to the B’nai B’rith Girls.

On Saturday, BBYOers participated in Shabbat Elective Breakouts, which featured Jeopardy, Shield Making, Olympics, and an AZA boot camp led by Two’s Advisor David Wexler.

On the hardwood, Esperanto AZA won the Mid-America AZAA Championships, defeating Nordaunian AZA 30-24, at the Clayton Center. Esperanto has now won three of the last four AZAA tournaments.

In the first round of the tournament, Kansas City AZA #2 defeated Zel Shrell AZA (North Star Council) in a thrilling overtime contest. Center Hudson Zack had multiple blocks for Two’s and was a force to be reckoned with on the court. Two’s Eli Nathan had the shot of the day — a three-pointer three feet beyond the 3-point line. The winner was decided by a game of knockout between a player from each team, with Nathan and Two’s coming out on top.

In the semi-finals, Esperanto AZA’s A Team defeated Two’s in the first game. In the second semi-final matchup, guards Naftali Tilove, Zach Blinn and Sam Cohen led the way for Nordaunian in a win over defending AZAA champions Mother Chapter AZA #1, with point guard Jake Sosland providing a spark off the bench.

The finals was close throughout, but Esperanto was too much in the end. Bodie Buxner and Joey Bugalski, of Esperanto, were named co-MVPs.

The All-Tournament First Team was: Bodie Buxner and Joey Bugalski, Esperanto AZA #2481; Naftali Tilove and Zack Blinn, Nordaunian AZA #22; and Cory Nogg, Mother Chapter AZA #1. Second Team: Sam Cohen, Nordaunian AZA #22; Noah Bergh; Nordaunian AZA #22; Sam Manlin, Esperanto AZA #2481; Eli Nathan, Kansas City AZA #2; Hudson Zack, AZA #2. Wexler and Sam Loiterstein were the referees.

Two’s basketball team consisted of: Eli Nathan, Judah Bassin, Will Widman, Sam Hochler, Hudson Zack, Michael Furey, Jack Bowen and Bryan Persky (head coach).

In the MAR BBG Volleyball Tournament, Saadia BBG (Kansas City) won the championship.

Saturday evening’s festivities included a Havdallah service and a MARnival featuring fun games, a photo booth, a hora and a screening of Spiderman.

Kansas City’s Naftali Tilove (Nordaunian AZA) and Ariel Palan (Saadia BBG) were winners of the Rising Leader Award.

In a fitting end to the weekend, the Kansas City BBYO delegation watched the Chiefs game on the bus ride home, with the bus erupting in cheers after the Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos with a last-second field-goal block to extend their undefeated record to 9-0.

Representing Two’s AZA at the convention were: Bryan Persky, Shaefer Spizman, Will Widman, Judah Bassin, Sam Hochler, Michael Furey, Danny Martin, Rex Hebberd, Hudson Zack, Eli Nathan, Josh Snitz and Jack Bowen.