A

Anita Perlman- the founder of BBG

AZA- Aleph Zadik Aleph, a boy member of BBYO

AIT- Aleph in training

Advisor- an adult designated to oversee a chapter and ensure everything runs smoothly (ours is the amazing Charlotte Nordeen!!)

B

BBG- B’nai Brith Girls are the girls of BBYO

BBYO- an independent Jewish youth group for teenagers in 8th through 12th grade. BBYO used to stand for B’nai Brith Youth organization until 2002 when it became independent from B’nai B’rith International. It is now known as BBYO.

BBYO Chapters- co-ed chapters

Beau- An Aleph who is an honorary member of our chapter. (A boy from an AZA Chapter who is designated to being dedicated to a BBG chapter)

Blow Horn- For the past few inductions, a blow horn has been played on someones phone when the girls are inducted, and has become a shemesh tradition!

C

Candles- we use candles on Friday night and for Havdalah. The candle is also a symbol in BBYO. When inducted into the region, International Order, chapter, or chapter board, one is given a candle to cherish and keep their BBYO “flame” burning.

Chair- a chapter member who is not on board but helps a board member with specific tasks

Chapter- the different groups within a region

Constitution- all chapters have their own constitution which outlines their operations. While they may vary somewhat, they are all based on the International Constitution of the B’nai Brith girls 

Council- Some big regions have geographically separated councils which make councils and chapters closer together

Cyber Squad- Emails sent by a mazkirah to regularly update the chapter (so read them!)

E

Elections- On the chapter level, elections are held twice a year (once in the spring and once in the winter). Girls can run for board positions at elections. Elections are run under parliamentary procedure. Regional Elections are held in May at Spring Thing (a regional convention). The Regional Board serves a full year term. 

F

Folds- the 7 folds are objectives that we base our programs and activities around. They help keep our programs diverse and focused.

• Jewish Heritage, Sisterhood, Recreation, Community service, Social action, Creativity, and Health

G

Gavel- what the N’siah uses to call order in meetings

General member- a general member of the chapter, not on board

Good & welfare- a time at the end of many events/conventions where we pass around a candle and everyone can share their thoughts on the programming or anything they feel like sharing

Group Me- Currently, Group Me is the main form of communication for Shemesh to interact as a chapter, and is important to have :) 

H

Havdalah- a service to end Shabbat. When we have havdalah during a BBYO event, we sing blessings and songs.

I

IC- international convention. IC is a convention open to every teen in BBYO. IC is held in a different city every year and it takes place during President’s day weekend. At IC you will meet teens all over the international order in BBYO and will have the chance to see elections on the international level. 

International board- Just like every chapter and region has a board, a board is elected at IC every february who represent BBYO on the international level. 

International Order- all of BBYO

Inductions- this ceremony is used to officially bring MITs into the chapter/region. It signifies that MITs have successfully completed their training and are ready to assume the responsibility of a chapter member, such as wearing a pin and voting.

Installations- after the election of new officers, this ceremony is planned to officially install the officer into her position as well as to discharge the old officer.

I$F- International Service Fund

J

Judaism- BBYO bring together Jewish teens. BBYO is pluralistic meaning that it honors all sects of Judaism.

K

Kickoff- an event that happens at the beginning of the term. It is a great event for prospects! 

L

Leadership- every teen in BBYO has the opportunity to become a leader. Members can plan programs, events, conventions, run for board, be a chair, be on committee, and so much more!

Life- life is at the end of every year in BBYO and it is when all of the graduating seniors sit in front of the region or their chapter and tell stories about their time in BBYO. They’ll talk about the lessons they learned and who helped them along the way. They will pass down their old pins, shirts, and other BBYO memorabilia.

M

MBA- Mind, Body, Attitude

Menorah Pledge Principles- These are said at every meeting and read out of the BBG red book that you will receive when you get inducted

MIT- a BBG member-in-training

Motion- a formal proposal put to the vote under parliamentary procedures, Example: at a meeting, a member can make a “motion” to talk about a certain subject, and then someone has to second that motion (agree with it) and we can not talk about that subject until everyone agrees to do so.

MRIHA- an international recruitment strategy: Meet, record, invite, host, ask 

N

Numbers- every chapter and region has a number

O

Our home- Shemesh BBG is our home! We are all here to support and love each other

P

Parliamentary procedure- all meetings are run using parli pro. It allows every opinion to be heard while moving meetings along at a steady pace. Though it might at times seem to cause confusion or frustration, parli pro helps facilitate an efficient business meeting.

Pin- every member is given a membership pin when inducted

Prospect- a prospective member

Phone Squad- used for the board to reach out to prospects

Q

Quorum- the number of people necessary to conduct business, to pass a motion, or to elect a new officer.

R

Red book- A small book every BBG gets when she is inducted

Region- geographically separated parts of the international order

Regional board- just like a chapter has a board, our region has a board. The members are elected at Regional Spring Thing every May and serve a full year term.

Regional staff- SJR has 2 staff members: Jenny Oswald & Sara Nussbaum

Recruitment- recruitment is reaching out to prospects to help grow and join BBYO

Retention- Ensuring members are active once joining 

Re-eduction- ensuring everyone is up to date and knowledgeable on BBYO!

S

Scholarship- Scholarships are available for all conventions. Money should never be a reason why you are unable to attend an event. 

Shomeret Ha-brit- this is the person who states fun quotes at business meetings

Spooey- a BBG’s favorite snack (pretzels with frosting)

Speak up- Advocate for Israel

Stand Up Campaign- BBYO’s international community service campaign. Each chapter and region picks a “stand up” cause that we feel passionate about doing community service for donating money to. Example: Childhood cancer, Natural disasters

States- States is a meeting at the end of a programming term in which each board member delivers a speech reflecting on their term and giving advice to the future board members. 

Summer programs- BBYO offers numerous summer programs. Learn all about them on the BBYO website!

T

Tomato- SJR’s mascot!

Three R’s for a MIT Mom- Recruitment, Retention, and Reduction

Tournies- all night convention of all BBYO chapters competing in activities against each other 

U

U are the future- u, Shemesh BBG’s MITs are the future!! The future of our chapter is in your hands!

V

Valuable- throughout your time in BBYO you will learn some valuable lessons. From learning how to deal with friends and co-workers, and even to relationships, the lessons you learn here will stay with you forever, and alongside each one is a memory and a story to laugh about later

W

Welcoming- It is important that our chapter and all of our members are welcoming to everyone!

X

X-tra special days- every day in BBYO is a special day but your birthday is an extra extra extra extra extra special Day!!! When you celebrate your birthday at a BBYO event, we sing you happy birthday and celebrate with you!

Y

Youth-led- all chapters, programs meetings events, and conventions are planned and run by youth

Z

Zillions- the amount of people who have been involved in BBYO. Although this isn’t actually true, you will meet a lot of people through BBYO and will always be supported by others! BBGs are all over the world and our sisterhood brings us all together