Lauren Simon

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Lauren Simon of Monroe, a student at the University of Connecticut, has been named one of nine recipients of the BBYO Community Engagement Fellowship, it was announced by BBYO, Inc., the world’s largest pluralistic Jewish teen movement.

As a Community Engagement Fellow (CEF), Simon will organize BBYO alumni events and initiate projects with partner organizations to maintain a thriving BBYO alumni community and enhance Jewish life on campus.  The fellowship is made possible in part through a grant from The Morningstar Foundation of Bethesda, Md.

“I wanted to be a CEF because I want to be able to use the leadership skills that I learned in BBYO again, not only with the organization I love so much, but also on campus,” says Simon, who as a teen was actively involved in her local BBYO chapter. “I know that some BBYO alumni, including myself, have trouble getting involved with the Jewish community in college or figuring out how to be a leader on campus. I want to be able to help alumni going through that transition.”

In addition to engaging BBYO alumni and supporting Jewish campus life, as a CEF Simon will be afforded professional development opportunities through participation in national events such as the AIPAC Policy Conference and the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) General Assembly. She will also participate in an alumni mentorship program and staff BBYO’s Summer Experiences in the U.S., Israel and all over the world.

“The Fellowship program engages BBYO’s most talented young alumni in creating networks of their peers that will both participate in and initiate Jewish activities on campus,” said BBYO Executive Director Matthew Grossman. “We are confident that Lauren will help leverage the BBYO alumni community to strengthen Jewish life at the University of Connecticut.”

The investment in this post-high school age group is a key component of BBYO’s 2011-2016 five-year strategic plan.
At the University of Connecticut, Simon plans to hold events on campus that draw people to the Jewish community, and to connect with BBYO alumni.

To contact Lauren Simon email her at lsimon@bbyo.org.