Baltimore Council celebrated Global Shabbat in a big way with our brand-new initiative—Council Families! 

This idea came from a personal commitment I made when running for council MIT Mom: to get rid of the separation within our community. Too often, people were only friends within their chapters, leaving a huge opportunity for cross-chapter connections untapped. To change that, I introduced the concept of council families—pairing AZA and BBG big/little pairs from different chapters, where each family would consist of a AZA and BBG big little pair. 

 To make this vision a reality, my co and I decided there was no better way to unite everyone than through a Shabbat dinner. Sharing a meal is the ultimate bonding experience, and with Global Shabbat just around the corner, the timing couldn't have been more perfect. We worked closely with our Council Shlichim to plan an unforgettable evening.

As everyone gathered, we dove into a meaningful Shabbat service, thoughtfully led by our wonderful Shlichim. Following the service, we sat down with our council families to enjoy a delicious meal together. The energy was amazing as teens from all over Baltimore shared stories, laughed, and built connections together.

But the fun didn’t stop there! After dinner, we dove into an epic trivia game, with questions spanning BBYO history, Jewish celebrities, and traditions. It was a blast watching everyone engage, learn, and have fun while celebrating our shared culture. 

Global Shabbat wasn’t just a dinner—it was a chance to deepen friendships, strengthen our community, and celebrate Shabbat in the most meaningful way possible. I can't wait to see how we can make next year even bigger and better!