One hundred and five teens representing the BBYO Connecticut Valley Region were among more than 3,000 teens from 36 countries – including first-time delegates from Australia, China, Colombia, Mexico and Spain – came together at the BBYO International Convention (IC), held Feb. 15 – 19. The epic event, whose theme was “Together We Will,” offered opportunities for Jewish teens to connect with their peers, and engage in a host of service projects and leadership labs. Among the guest speakers were Olympic Gold Medalists Aly Raisman and Abby Wambach, actor Josh Peck, and Susan Bro, mother of Heather Heyer, who was murdered during the violent protests in 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the crowd by video. The International Convention was also home to a gathering of “Movers and Shakers,” sponsored by BBYO, NCSY, NFTY, USY and Young Judaea, who met to explore collaboration opportunities to reach and inspire Jewish teens.

CAP: teens from BBYO Connecticut Valley Region at International Convention.