This month, Denver welcomed BBYO’s International Convention (IC), bringing together over 500 teens from around the world. The local Jewish community played a key role in making the experience unforgettable, with more than 50 families opening their homes as host families. Beyond the excitement of the conference itself, these teens had the chance to experience Jewish life in Colorado firsthand, connect with the community, and build meaningful relationships. Here’s what some of the host families had to say about their experience.
The Friedlander family hosted 2 teens from Turkey
What was your experience like hosting teens for the conference?
We met our Turkish delegation on Friday and immediately stopped at Target—they wanted junk food and some electronics. Friday night, we spent time with families hosting teens from South Africa and Germany. It was fascinating to see how differently they engaged with Judaism, but at the end of the day, they were just teens coming together for an incredible week. I loved watching them interact with my own kids, experiencing snow, eating new foods, going to the mall, and even watching the Super Bowl. It was a pleasure to welcome them into our home.
Were there any cultural differences or surprises?
Absolutely. They live in city apartments, so when they walked into our house, they thought it was a mansion—our kids found that hilarious! They were so polite, always asking if they should take off their shoes and cleaning up after meals. But honestly, there were more similarities than differences. Social media has really connected teens worldwide.
Did you share any Jewish traditions?
Not really, and that was eye-opening. Our family is deeply connected to Jewish practices, especially on Shabbat, but for them, being Jewish was more about family and history rather than religious customs. It was fascinating to see those differences.
What’s your biggest takeaway from this experience?
How connected we really are. No matter where you go, there’s always someone Jewish. It makes you feel stronger, prouder, and more confident in our global community.
The SSteinberg/Merenstein family hosted 4 teens from Argentina
What made you decide to open your home for this?
Every time someone comes from abroad, it’s amazing. We’ve hosted for the Maccabi Games, delegations from Ramat HaNegev—whenever someone visits, it’s just wonderful. For me, it’s not even a choice—it’s just what we do as a community. I’ve hosted before, and we love that we now have family in so many places. We stay in touch, and I know if I ever visit, they’ll welcome me.
What was it like to host someone from another country?
It’s an automatic connection because we’re all part of the global Jewish community. Then, you get to learn about the differences—how we do things, our traditions—but underneath it all, we’re the same. I love that reminder.
Can you share with us a special moment from their visit?
They reached out before arriving and asked me to buy cream cheese so they could make a traditional Argentinian dessert. They brought everything else. After their big Saturday night party, they came home at 11:30, put on music, and started cooking so it would be ready the next day. It was so sweet. Another special moment was when they joined us at Rodef Shalom for a service, which was very different from what they know, making it such a unique experience.
What advice would you give to future hosts?
Just do it! It’s such a great experience. It’s a balance of showing them new things while just spending time together and getting to know them. It’s a reminder that there are Jews all over the world. These connections don’t end when the visit does. These bonds last, and that’s what makes our global community so strong.
The Perlmutter Family Hosted 3 Teens from South Africa
What made you decide to open your home for this?
The IC conference was in Denver six years ago as well, and we hosted four boys from Mexico. It was an absolutely wonderful experience. They were amazing, and we’ve stayed in touch ever since. So when we were asked to be a host family again this time, it was an easy yes!
Can you share a special moment from their visit?
There were so many small, fun moments. On their last night here, we sat together in the kitchen, just laughing and joking around—it felt so natural and effortless. From the very beginning, we had an instant connection. Another sweet moment was when they saw snow. The moment they spotted even the tiniest pile of snow, they got so excited and jumped right into it. It was really adorable.
Did you learn anything new about their culture?
Their Jewish life is really unique. They attend a Jewish day school and have community shuls. It’s fascinating to see how our Judaism is both the same and different, shaped by the culture, place, and country we live in. I think it was also interesting for them to come here and learn about our Jewish community and Reform Judaism.
What advice would you give to future hosts?
Just say yes! You will learn and gain so much from hosting people from another culture—it’s truly an enriching experience. In the past, we also hosted Shinshinim twice, and I feel that every opportunity like this is special and adds so much to our lives.