A new chapter in Jewish teen engagement is unfolding in Ottawa with the revival of BBYO, a global youth movement that empowers young people to build community, leadership skills, and a strong sense of Jewish identity.

Led locally with the support of BBYO Ontario, the program has re-emerged after several years. According to the program’s Engagement Associate, Deena Friedman, Ottawa once had active BBYO chapters, but they eventually faded. Now, with renewed interest and a growing base of participants, the organization is back and is already gaining momentum.

“BBYO is a teen-led movement,” Friedman explained. “It gives teens ownership over their experiences. They plan events, manage budgets, and take on leadership roles within their chapter.”

That structure is already taking shape in Ottawa. With enough members to qualify as a temporary chapter, local teens are on track to elect their own board by the end of the year. From there, they will take on key roles in programming, recruitment, and community-building. 

Beyond the local level, BBYO also offers leadership opportunities on a much larger stage, including at international conventions where teens from around the world elect peers to serve on a global board.

At its core, BBYO provides a space for Jewish teens in Grades 8 through 12 to connect with one another and explore their identity on their own terms. That mission is particularly significant in Ottawa, where many Jewish teens attend public schools and may not have daily access to a Jewish peer community.

 “BBYO gives teens a place to come together, celebrate their Judaism, and shape that experience in a way that feels meaningful to them,” Friedman said.

Early signs suggest the program has filled a niche in Jewish Ottawa. Participation has been strong, and enthusiasm among participants is high. At a recent “Connect” event, a feeder program for younger students in Grades 6 to 8, approximately 50 participants gathered for a murder mystery activity, an impressive turnout for a first round of programming.

Even more notable, Friedman said, is the way in which participants are bonding with one another.

“They’re introducing themselves to each other, even if they’ve never met before, and within minutes it feels like they’ve known each other for years,” she said. “There’s a real sense of excitement and belonging.”

The Connect program, run in part by high school students, offers younger participants a taste of BBYO through occasional events, helping to build a pipeline into the main program. For high school students, BBYO membership provides access to regular programming, leadership development, and a broader network of Jewish teens.

Joining is designed to be accessible and flexible. Teens can attend a few events before committing to membership, which costs $150 for the duration of their high school years. Scholarships are available to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent participation.

“We want everyone to feel welcome,” Friedman emphasized. “Anyone can join at any time during the year.”

Community involvement extends beyond social programming. BBYO Ottawa is also incorporating service and volunteerism into its activities. This Sunday, as part of a Global Day of Service known as J-Serve, teens will come together to support local organizations. Participants will create cards for residents of Hillel Lodge and prepare care items for StreetSmarts, a program run through Jewish Family Services (JFS).

The program is also building partnerships within the broader Jewish community, including collaboration with the Soloway JCC, which provides a physical space for BBYO activities.

Looking ahead, Friedman is optimistic about the program’s potential.

“As teens grow older and head off to university, they’re going to encounter a lot of challenges around their identity,” she said. “If they already have a strong sense of who they are and a supportive community behind them, they’ll be better equipped to navigate those moments.”

To learn more about Ottawa’s BBYO program and how your family can get involved, you can reach out to them directly at [email protected].