With reporting from Jen Kruzansky

“Together We Will” was the theme of the BBYO Connecticut Valley Region Fall Convention, which brought together more than 250 teens at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Danbury for a weekend focusing on Jewish values and Jewish identity. Highlights of the weekend included: The PB&J Jam, in which teens made 575 sandwiches for community members experiencing homelessness; Breakfast Bingo and Penny War, in which teens raised $600 for scholarships to help their peers attend future BBYO events; an on-site food drive to bring Thanksgiving meals to families, in partnership with Jewish Family Services of Greater New Haven and the JCC of Greater New Haven’s “Taste of Honey” program.

Several chapters took home awards: Stamford’s Leviticus AZA won the Spirit Gavel, New Haven’s Samuel D. Aarons BBG received the Spirit Cup, West Hartford’s Nadav BBYO held high the Spirit Trophy, and New London’s Yachad BBYO were proud recipients of the Service Shield.

The end of Fall Convention marked the beginning of BBYO’s Six Weeks of Service Campaign, with BBYO members across the state performing 1,000 hours of service within their communities.

Next up for BBYO is Shabbat Across CT on Jan. 15, followed immediately by the second annual “Stomp It Out” night that aims to “stomp out” the stigma of mental health issues.

CAP: Teens party hard at the recent BBYO Connecticut Valley Region Fall Convention.