The Annual Big Bang of an Unstoppable Youth Movement

If you hurl SXSW and Dreamforce at one another at a great rate of speed, and wedge unity, spirit, and Judaism in between as they collide in dramatic fashion, the energy that’s produced is BBYO’s International Convention (IC).

No, this is not a gathering of musicians and creatives nor business tycoons and technologists. International Convention is the epicenter of world youth Jewry. As it traverses across the United States year after year, IC magnetically pulls more than 5000 Jewish teens and community leaders from more than 60 countries to a major city – Denver this year – for a week of community development, leadership training, business meetings, bonding and escape.

It’s hard being a teenager. But in today’s world, with the daily reminder of hostages in Gaza, conflicts in Israel, and global antisemitism at an all time high, being a Jewish teenager is onerous to say the least.

However, like heat lamps of the Gaylord Rockies to the ice of Denver’s winter, the stress of the world melts away as these teens make their way through check-in and into the main hall of their new (short-term) home. Embraced by colorful never-miss-a-detail banners covering every available wall space; welcomed by the smiles and open hearts of dedicated staff and volunteers; and enamored by activities, sponsor boulevards, musical guests, celebrities and countless surprises, these teens are transported to a place of peace, protection, perspective, and unique possibility.

While they travel from all corners of earth, cultures and backgrounds, with a wide array of religious customs, it is impossible not to be overwhelmed by the intoxicating atmosphere of commonality.

It doesn’t matter if their spoken word is Chinese, French, Thai, English, Spanish, German, Arabic or other (all in attendance), it’s the unspoken that tells the story. United and empowered by their common thread, these teens express themselves with a level of comfort that is difficult to find anywhere else in a space that is unlike anything else.

Reflecting on my time observing every inch of this gathering, I am just as awestruck in my tenth year as I was in my first year. It’s somewhat difficult to put into words, but now that I’ve tamed the hair that has been standing up on the back of my neck and calmed the goosebumps that didn’t seem to subside until I boarded my flight home, I hope what follows gives you a sense of the artistry that is IC.

To learn more about BBYO’s International Convention, click here.