Great Midwest Region

Great Midwest Region (GMR) has nearly 1,000 members and is home to 12 AZA, BBG, and BBYO chapters across Chicagoland, spanning the city, north suburbs, northwest suburbs, and west suburbs.

From regional conventions to weekly chapter programs, GMR creates welcoming spaces where Jewish teens build friendships, explore their identities, and find their place in the Jewish community. BBYO’s unique youth-led model empowers teens to shape their own experiences while connecting to a global movement committed to a vibrant Jewish future.

Through teen-led, staff-supported programming, members develop leadership skills and make a meaningful impact on their communities, the world, and themselves. Our goal is simple: to provide more Jewish teens with more meaningful Jewish experiences, every single day.

Nearly every week, teens gather in their local chapters for engaging programs: North Side City Chapters (Chai Tov BBG & Palmach AZA): Tuesdays at 6:30 PM at Anshe Emet Synagogue; North & Northwest Suburbs (Jane Beber Abramson BBG, Shabak AZA, Ometz BBG, Aviva BBG, Korczak BBG, Haganah AZA): Wednesdays at 7:00 PM at the Bernard Weinger JCC.

Other Chapters (Darom BBYO in Hyde Park, Shawn Gilley BBYO in Oak Park, Moreshet Ma’arav BBYO in Naperville/Lombard, Ahavah BBG in Vernon Hills): Typically meet on weekends. Programs are planned by teens, for teens, and range from social events like game nights, sports, and pool parties to meaningful Shabbat experiences and leadership development. Every event is supported by trained advisors, community volunteers, or BBYO staff to ensure a safe and positive environment.

GMR proudly partners with Jewish Community Center Chicago (JCC Chicago), one of Chicagoland’s largest providers of Jewish teen engagement. Together, we combine BBYO’s expertise in teen leadership and year-round programming with JCC Chicago’s broad reach through camps, service opportunities, and skill-building initiatives.

We are grateful to collaborate with local synagogues, including: Anshe Emet Synagogue, Temple Jeremiah, Congregation BJBE, Congregation B’nai Tikvah, and Oak Park Temple.