This year, I had the honor of serving as one of four Global Shabbat Coordinators. When I first applied for the position, I was really excited, but I did not really know what it would entail. Then, the day rolls around, the day when we find out what ILN positions we would get. I nervously open my email the second I leave school. Nothing. Then I wait, until finally I get a call from Adi. “Hey David, how have you been?” We talk for a little bit before he finally tells me that I have been selected to be a Global Shabbat Coordinator. I was overjoyed and so excited to start working.

A few days later, the group chat is made. Whatsapp, of course, since it is BBYO. I get to see who the other three coordinators are, and I only really know one of them, so I get excited, knowing that I will have this opportunity to make some new friends. We spend a while trying to decide on a good meeting time for everyone, which is hard, but eventually we settle on a good time. Our first meeting is later that week. When I hop on that first zoom, I am prepared. Adi and Hailey had shared the agenda with us earlier, and I spent some time reading over it, so I came very ready with a good answer for the check in question. After that, we started working.

And wow, was it a lot of work. Once a week, meetings with the whole team, resources to update, group chats to make, promotional tools to send out, and even writing this very article while on a school trip. On top of all of that, we had to schedule two to one meetings with every regional Shaliach and Sh'licha to help them plan their Global Shabbat programs. I loved it. It felt so good being so productive and efficient and knowing that what I was working on would make a huge impact in the Order. It makes me so glad to be a part of such an incredible organization, one where anybody can work hard to earn a position that lets them impact so many people.

With Global Shabbat quickly approaching, I am super excited to see how it turns out this year around the Order. I cannot wait to witness the amazing programs everyone holds, the meaningful moments that members get to experience, and the global connection that BBYO has!