The International Lives Of - BBYO

The International Lives
Of
Emily Morgan Gorby
June 1st, 2013
“In three words I can
sum up everything I
have learned about life:
it goes on.”
- Robert Frost

Romily Gorbis
Words of Wisdom
the emilys
D4 Pterydactyl
I met my first “international friends” at my grandparents’ lake house.
The summer after 8th grade, I met two best friends. I met Isaac, a kind-hearted boy from Wisconsin, and
Natalie, a spunky girl with dyed pink ends from Cleveland. We discovered that we were all in BBYO on a
cloudy day when the three of us were walking back from swimming. To her surprise, Natalie noticed
“BBG” printed across the back of my shirt. Crazy! Before that point, none of us even knew that the
other two were Jewish. But after one observation, we were instantly united by the 85 years of history
and tradition that is B’nai B’rith Youth Organization. We talked about conventions, our chapters, and even
swapped apparel. We were three dedicated Freshman who had just fallen in love with an organization
bigger than ourselves.
Over the years, BBYO lead us to different places.
Isaac became less active during his sophomore year. He went to a couple of regional dances here and
there, but never as much as he used to. When I asked him why, he said that BBYO gave him the safe
space that he needed in his early high school years. Once he learned confidence, he went out into the
world to act upon his interterests. He was always grateful for the positive influnences BBYO added to
his personality.
Natalie became super woman. Everyone in BBYO loved her. She lead her chapter to two Miriam Albert
awards, coordinated award-winning interfaith programs, went to Israel, and attended (and loved) Impact
DC. In Natalies’s Junior year, she was too advanced for her high school, so she took all of her classes at
a local university. Simultaneously, she interned for Hillary Clinton. Yep. The Hillary Clinton. She simply
could not fit BBYO in her demanding schedule.
And then there’s me. With BBG, I have traveled to countries that I wouldn’t have even known existed. I
learned the importance of being politcally involved. I fell in love. I became a leader. I spoke to a crowd
of 2000. Most importantly, I met incredible people from 40 states. BBG provided me a world that
cheered me through my victories, but taught me lessons (and never judged) through my mistakes.
With every effort that I gave, I gained twice as much in return.
No BBYO story is better than another. It’s a beautiful concept. Though our stories are different, all three
of us allowed BBYO to benefit our lives in some way. We, like thousands of teens before us, gained
traits and lessons that we applied to our futures.
In BBYO, we change the world, but while doing so, it changes us.
Thanks for changing my life, BBYO.
Respectfully submitted with Undying love for Chana Leah BBG #2526, The Keystone Mountain Region
#33, and the International Order of the B’nai B’rith Girls,
I remain,
Emily Morgan Gorby
Damn proud B’nai B’rith Girl.
Lessons worth sharing
Never let positions get to your head.
You can spot her by the way she places a position before her name when introducing herself. She walks around a
convention like the entire room should know her bio. She only talks to fellow board members and those she has
deemed worthy of friendly conversation. Yes. This is a BBG who has let a title get the best of her.
Holding a postition does not make you better than any other member in the order.
In that same vein, positions that you have lost do not define you as a leader.
A good friend once told me that
“the accomplishments of those who have lost a BBYO election outweigh the accomplishments of those who have
won”
Remember the position does not make the person, the person makes the position.
Love your Chapter First.
The strenth of our chapters is directly proportional to the strength of our order.
I’ve learned that it’s the member’s responsibility to ensure your chapter’s greatness.
Believe me, it’s worth it.
The feeling of witnessing your efforts come to fruition within your chapter is priceless.
It’s a combination of pride and motherhood. A sence of accomplishment that is indescribable. Your efforts give
other girls a haven to learn and to grow. But simultaneously, you are learning and growing by building your
chapter. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship--one that I hope to find something similar to after BBYO.
All year, we have been preaching
“BUILD FROM OUR ROOTS”
Just make sure to let your roots build you as well.
“The member does not join the International Order
The member does not join the region.
The member does not join the council.
A member joins the chapter,
and the chapter is where her loyalty should remain.”
Thanks for building me, Chana Leah.

Dedications
Yep.we’re dating
smartest boy
in Kansas
My best friends
Reece Bergstrom, Evan Kimel, Ian
Cullen, Jory Segal, Liz Cohen, Max
Frischman, and Zack Perlman:
Under your influence, Going to CLTC
was the only option. Thank you for
showing KMR that it’s “cool” to be
internationally involved.
Pittsburgh
Diller Teen
Fellows
’10-’11 /Steve
Kroser:
For creating
my love for
Israel.
Logan Miller:
I wish that I could produce
ideas similar to the ones
you do. You think outside
of the box better than
anyone I know. GW is
extremely lucky to have a
person like you.
Dorm 4 at ILTC 2011:
For being my safe and
favorite space at
Perlman.
Hal Zeitlin: For being
the best.
Ira Dounn:
For being everyone’s
mentor and friend.
Benji Fages:
If you had a fan club, I would be the
president. Thanks for being such a great
person all year. Also, thanks for “getting”
me at board retreat and IC. Communication
isn’t our greatest skill, but please keep in
touch. I hope you are as serious as I am
about Felicia and me visiting you in New in
the Fall, because I am 100% serious.
Past
CLTC 2 2010:
For surpassing my
expectation of CLTC
and for showing me
that BBYO exists
beyond KMR.
Chuck Marcus:
For being my
biggest advocate.
Present
Ryan Ladd:
Before CLTC, I sat on Becca Lerman’s floor
as she told me about this cute kid named
Ryan from Texas that the girls in her CLTC
group were Facebook creeping. You don’t
need me telling you this, but you’re
extremely talented. I’m happy that I-board
strengthened our friendship.
Arielle Braude:
For being my role model and my
cheerleader in life. I would love
you even if you were a convicted
felon.
Ambassadors To Bulgaria 2012:
For introducing me to the word of Global
Jewry and being plainly fantastic. If you get
the chance, go on Ambassadors to Bulgaria.
Barb and Bob
For being the world’s greatest parents.
Matt Feldman and Sam Silber
For teaching me about other cultures and
calling me Gorbalicious.
Nick Phillips:
You rock and for more reasons
than just your nationality. I
genuinely hope that people gave you
credit not only for the quality of
the work that you produced, but
also for the fact that you did it all
from a different continent. Text
me when you move to the states.
Alex Finkelstein:
In ten years, I’m going to be driving to work, doing my thing,
when I suddenly hear your distinctive voice as a guest analyst on
NPR. You’ll be discussing a presidential candidate’s military
budget, as well as why his election will aid Israel in developing
technology to fight terrorism in Lithuania while simultaneously
passing same-sex marriage in Uzbekistan. You, your can-do
attitude, and your eloquent speech are clearly going far in this
world. I am, and forever will be, honored to call such a unique
and determined person my co.
Iboard Staff:
Thank you for constantly pushing us to dream bigger and always believing in us. The amount that you do extends
far past your job description. Anita - thanks for understanding how I work. BBYO is incredibly fortunate to
have someone as driven and inspiring as you. You rock. Rachel Hillman - Thanks for putting up with my daily
T.I. report requests and for understanding the dynamics of every region.

ILSI 2012
Dedications
Baby Ari
yay Present (cont.)
Guava
Andie Djamal:
“You do you” better than anyone else I know.
You would still be an amazing Shlicha if you did
all of your work with your eyes closed. You’re
going to love California and California is going
to love you right back. Because I will always
think of you when I hear Adele, Want to hear a
joke?
What do you call a computer in the ocean?
A dell, Rolling in the deep.
Keep doin’ you, Andie Leigh Djamal :).
Sarah Minion:
Ready? I’m just going to rant about how great
you are: I don’t think that I can thank you
enough. You are so down to earth and calming. I
always know that I can turn to you if anything is
ever wrong. Ha. Remember when we weren’t
friends at CLTC? Remember when you and
Julia Laibstain took care of me at CLTC
reunion? Sarah, The entire order knows how
incredible you are. I can only hope that my
CLTC loves me half as much as yours loves you.
You’re going far, but you don’t need me (or
anyone else) to tell you that. Love you lots.
KEEP IN CONTACT AT OBERLIN.
I”M SERIOUS.
Delia Goldin, Michelle Wasserman, and
Ally LevitRon:
I can’t picture BBYO without you three. You
are the people that I find myself looking for at
international progams and conventions. Life is
better when you guys are around. Love you lots
Lori Berenberg and Ariane Schaffer
BARUCH HASHEM FOR YOU TWO.
Lori, You legitimately came up to me and said “Hi
I’m Lori let’s be friends” in the airport before
ILTc. The quote that I mentally pair you with the
most is “It’s me, you can be real here”. I can tell
you anything and I know that you will just give me
good advice. Yay. Nyc is close to Allentown.
Ariane, I thought you were SO WEIRD when I met
you. You were wearing one Neon sock and Chacos.
Your accomplishments are far beyond the BBYO
sphere. There should be more peoople like you in
the world.“Hi I’m Ariane, I want a CLTC”
Hilit Jacobson:
Holy cow. you are awesome. You’re one of those people who I
want to brag about knowing. You’re creative, thoughtful, and
intelligent. At college, I already know that I will constantly try
to channel your focus and your supreme work ethic. Thank
you for getting me through the entire election process. Have
an amazing time at American! Seriously, keep in touch.
Jenna Kress and Eric Rosenberg:
Jenna, you are what every BBG aims to be when she graduates.
Your CLTC is so lucky to have a coordinator as fantastic as you.
Thanks for being a great friend to everybody and for just being
your friendly self.
Eric, I don’t think I’ve liked someone as quickly as I liked you.
We’ve been friends for less than a year, but I genuinely want to
continue being your friend. Keep in contact from Illinois.
Judith Cohen, Harper Weissburg, and Julia Laibstain:
Judith: Yay we’re friends. Yay we met at ILTC. Yay we’re real
friends. I love you a lot a lot a lot. Vanderbilt will be amazing
next year. CLTC will love you. Thank you Based God that we are
actual friends. It’s weird to think about what this year would be
without you in my life.
Harper: You are fantastic. You are a one of those people who I
want my grandkids to look up to and to know. Let’s be friends
for a while.
Julia: 1) thanks for cleaning me/everything after the CLTC
reunion. 2) Thanks for actually keeping up with the whole
“CLTC big/little”. Claire loves you. Everyone loves you.
3) You always make me smile.
Emily Katz and Ariana Rothman:
I’m leaving BBYO? We’ve been friends for three yeears?
what? To tell you the truth, I almost forgot to include you guys
because you are so much more than just “BBYO friends”.
Emily, you have been my best “international friend” since after
CLTC. You ALWAYS have my back. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS.
Over the years, you have morphed into a best friend of the
family’s rather than just a friend of mine. No screen :) I love
you!
Ari, Emily first described you as “an excited MIT who smiles a
lot”. I don’t even remember how we became so close. Barb loves
you. My friends all love you. You have clearly found a friend
group in Pittsburgh. Thank you for always making me happy.
Aajflkja you are honestly just the best. I’ll see you next year
when I visit DC and the year after that when you attend
Muhlenberg (yeah you will!)
P.S. Hi Ko’ach!

Dedications
Jessica MArkowitz and Elliana Tessler:
Jessica:I brag to my lunch table about knowing a
human as cool as you. I can’t believe that I’m going to
Rwanda with you this summer. You have a
personality that people gravitate towards. It is SO
WEIRD to think that we have been friends for only
about a year. SEE YOU THIS SUMMER. YAY.
Elliana: YOU ARE GREAT. Why do we suck at
communication. I haven’t “clicked” with someone as
well as I clicked with you. You are such a genuine
and quality person. I’m going to call you after I’m
done typing this. Umbitchemte.
Jonathan Ansell, Kate Blumenthal, Candace
Braude, Aaron Cahan, Danielle Fallon, Kelilah
Federman, Sean Frasier, Jamie Futterman,
Felicia Gans, Rachel Goldberg, Grant Hansell,
Lauren Hisinger, Daniel Kaufman, Tony Kaufmann,
Daniel Keidar, Elliot Kooden, Rosie Lenoff, Jacob
Levy, Sam Lourie, Brandon Myers, Jackie
Pavlosky, Ben Sheppard, Nate Shiffman, Sarah
Shor, Adam Silverman, Eden Siskin, Josh Studley,
Soraya Vaezi, Alexa Vecchio, Daniel Willenzik, and
Pauline Wizig:
All I can say is thank you for being you. You’re
the the friends who are always fun to and who I
always want to be with. Love you guys a lot.
Michaela Brown and Mika Stein
I do not have words to describe my
excitement for you guys. Your personalities
complement eachother in the best ways.
Michaela, you are so goal oriented and
positive. You live and breathe BBG The
order is lucky to have you. Stay with me
when you visit Liberty region next year!
Mika, I’m glad I traded my sweatshirt
with you at IC 2011. You are such a standup
person. It’s clear that every Aleph is
going to look up to you. P.S. KMR is going
to love you so make us one of your fist
stops :).
69/89:
You are going to do big things. You have SUCH an
amazing board. I’m here for you if you need me!
Stay humble. Stay golden.
Present (cont.)
Max Goldstein
Debating if I should say something sappy about how much I love
you and how much I value our friendship. Nah. I’ll just say
that you have good taste in music and I will be a regular
visitor for you and Curtis at GW next year.
Lauren Charnov
I’m so happy I met you at ILTC. Everytime I see you is better
than the last (all 3 times we’ve hung out in person). I really
love you. I am going to skype you soon because I really miss
you.
“ ‘I wonder what Piglet is doing’
said Pooh. ‘I wish to be there and
to be doing it too’ ”.
Kate Reinertson
YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY YOU’RE
MIT MOM! Max has been telling
me about how wonderful you since
ILTC, and you have surpassed all
of his descriptions. I am so excited
for you. You have both the
personality and the work ethic
that screams “MIT Mom”. Stay
true to yourself next year. CALL
ME ALL OF THE TIME. I gotcho’
back.
Future
Lindsay and Rachel Gorby
#gorbyfam #famfam
Lindsay, you’re going to be a great regional Gizborit.
Keep tweeting funny things.
Rachel, you’re perfect.
It’s not a secret that I love you guys more than anyone else
in the world. If I didn’t include you guys in International
lives, you would probably tell Barb so... yay sistafrans.
Sofie Jacobs
I am such a fan of yours! I
am SO HAPPY that we
became friends this year.
Everyone who meets you
loves you. Keep in touch
next year, because we
should be friends for a
long time. P.S. Lindsay is
your counterpart yay.
To the ones who are reading who I haven’t met:
I was in your shoes. I used to google BBYO weekly to see if I
could find releases, videos, speaches, anything that would
teach me more. I hope that as you grow older, BBYO
consistantly surpasses your expectations.

Dedications
Maya Guthman and Ryan Dishell:
What’s good, unopposed squad?
Maya, this is too weird. I’ve known you since you were literally a baby with shark oven mitts. There is nothing more
relaxing than chilling with you at conventions and summits. Thanks for being there for me all year.
Ryan, I’ve known about you since Max Goldstein confessed his huge man crush on some kid from LA. I wish that I had met you
long before IC so that I could spend more time with you in BBYO. Also, Take care of Lindsay for me.… yeah I said it.
Keep each other grounded next year. Contact me when ever because you are some of my favorite people. You guys are going
to give Dallas an event bigger than the rodeo.
Sari Misek and Kyle Price
Little did I know that I was going to meet two of my best
friends at August Execs.
Sari, I am certainly not the first to tell you that you are
the strongest person that I have ever met. You do
accomplish goals with poise and beauty. Somehow, Lory and I
will find a way to instill your leadership traits and
strength into CLTC. I love you a lot. CALL ME NEXT
YEAR, AND THIS SUMMER, AND ALWAYS.
Kyle, My Lord, do I love you. At August XX I never knew
that I was going to meet someone, let alone a freshman, who
would mean so much to me this year. I find comfort in your
presence. You light up a room with your personality. It’s a
fact that you are going to accomplish greatness both in and
out of BBYO. Be friends with my sister this summer! You
guys are going to get along well :). But seriously, be best
friends.
Come to Pittsburgh. Come to Allentown. LOVE YOU.
Ben Ruttenberg and Claire Akers
I cried when I saw “25th Regional N’siah: Claire
Akers” and “25th regional Godol: Ben Ruttenberg”.
You are my favorite people in kMR, and I can’t believe
that you get to be cos.
PSA FOR BBYO:
CLAIRE AKERS IS KMR’S 25TH REGIONAL N’SIAH.
SHE WILL BE AT AMBASSADORS TO BULGARIA, ILSI,
AND AUGUST XX. GET TO KNOW HER AND BE HER
FRIEND. YOU ARE HONESTLY MISSING OUT IF YOU
DON’t. SHE’S FUNNY AND PRETTY.
BEN RUTTENBERG IS KMR’S 25TH REGIONAL
GODOL. HE HAS A SARCASTIC SENSE OF HUMOR
THAT WON’T LOOSE. HE IS GOING TO AUGUST XX.
HE IS THE BEST. IF YOU’RE EVER STRESSED OUT,
GO TO BEN. I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE, HE’LL
CHEER YOU UP AND MAKES THE WORLD A BETTER
PLACE. ASK HIM ABOUT HOW HE FOUND HIMSELF AT
CLTC.
Maggie Rosen, Rachel Rothman, Elissa Koppel, Erin Koppel, Lena Hirsch, Jordan Kotler, Judah Burstein, Molly Mintz,
Rechel Geiger, Sara Robinson, Alex Danoff, Linus Gordon, Sophie Harlam, Shea Northfield, Jamie Fanaroff, Jenna
Weberman
Iboard is worth it because of people like you. You are both amazing individuals, and the leaders that make me confident
in the future of the Order. BBYO is successful because of your restless dedication and bright, welcoming personalities.
Keep rocking next year. I can’t wait to hear about all that you do.
CLTC 2 2013
Ross Davis, Brad Honigberg, Adam Zall, and Gavri Schreiber.
CLTC is going to be I’m putting you in “future” because you all will be in my future. I’m nervous that I won’t meet friends
amazing. After in college that are even close to as great as you guys. Even though the words “Life-long friendships”
CLTC, know that I are thrown around too much, I believe that through my four years of being “internationally involved”, I
will always be there have met the four best friends that I will have for the rest of my life. What ever I write below in no
for you. I feel so
way accurately portrays how much you mean to me, but here goes nothing:
honored and excited Ross: You are SO BEYOND a “BBYO friend” You crossed the line from best friend to brother a while
to coordinate the ago. You had a large role in making CLTC awesome. Love you forever Romily Gorbis.
best 12 days of your Brad: I have never met a person so similar to myself in guy form. Sometimes it’s even a litle
lives. You’re going to frightening. You understand what I’m saying before I finsih my sentence. I can go to you with any issue
love BBYO as much in the world and I know that you won’t judge me. Yay Rwanda. I love you a lot a lot a lot.
as I do :). Adam: If I were forced to pick someone to lock myself in a room with, I would choose you in a heartbeat.
GAVRI, WE’RE I can talk to you in a way that no one else would understand. Honestly I’m just excited to be friends with
DOING THIS you for forever. You know that I’m only nervous about keeping in touch because I don’t want to loose you
TOGETHER! YAY! as a friend Confession: I even picture our families having shabbat dinner together in 20 years.So much
love for you, AZallswagsofficial.
Thanks for Gavri: How did we become so close so quickly. It’s gotten to the point where I say “I’m excited for-” and
everything,
my family cuts me off because they know the answer will be “to see Gavri”. I brag about you to
everyone I know. I will never be able to figure out how you’re so smart yet so humble. Thanks for
BBYO.
getting me through this year. Love you lots.