by Tamara Stokes

Special to DJW

Two local young women, Vanessa Lustig and Michelle Weinberg, were elected to the international board of the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO) during the summer session.

Weinberg is from Dallas, and Lustig is a senior at Plano West Senior High School, and they are friends since preschool days at the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center. Lustig says this is the second position she has inherited from Weinberg, who was her "mit mom" (person in charge of welcoming and teaching freshman what there is to know for incoming BBYO girls).

"My position, International Mazkirah, has more counterparts throughout the world than other positions on the board," says Lustig. She works with 66 girls in charge of treasury, newspaper, taking minutes at meetings, calling members, correspondence and making scrapbooks within their councils. Weinberg is the N'siah.

"It's so amazing to be able to spread communication throughout the organization - where would we be without e-mail?" she asks rhetorically.

"It's so amazing to be able to spread communication throughout the organization - where would we be without e-mail?" she asks rhetorically.

Lustig says success as a leader takes persistence and most of all, taking the opportunity to get involved. "I'm not saying just with BBYO, but with any kind of Jewish youth group. The future of our religion depends on interaction with Jewish peers."

She says her parents are her greatest inspirations. "They have been there for me in every way, shape and form," says Lustig. In BBYO, she cites Weinberg as the most influential mentor. Together, they brought their Reba Wadel BBG #349 chapter into recognition when it received the "Best" chapter award with their guidance and involvement.

Lustig says that observing Shabbat helps keep her Jewish identity. Every Friday night, her family - her parents and her two siblings - light candles, say prayers and have dinner together, to the exclusion of all other activities. "I won't go out with friends É it's a special night where everything else in the world around me stops and I can just relax," says Lustig.

Lustig's parents are proud. Suzie, her mother, says, "We've always supported Vanessa and encouraged her. She truly made her own way and set her own goals. I had no experience with BBYO so I couldn't help her É it's been a remarkable journey as we've watched her grow into this incredibly accomplished person."

Vanessa's father Chuck says, "I can't tell you how much my daughter being elected to the international board means to me. I am proud, thrilled and excited to see our daughter being such an inspiration to the other girls. What a blessing! What an honor!"

Mazel tov to Michelle and Vanessa as they grow into world-class leaders.