From Hong Kong to Cancun, airports in hundreds of cities worldwide are buzzing this week with the energy of 4,000 teens, proudly showcasing their Jewish identity as they journey to New York City for this weekend’s CTeen Shabbaton. With many facing challenges like antisemitism, natural disasters, and war, these young participants are joining the largest gathering of Jewish teens to draw strength and return home empowered to lead.
From his office at 770 Eastern Parkway in 1974, the Rebbe wrote the following words to a young lady grappling with uncertainty: “I believe that young people can do a great deal more than others in the cause of Judaism and the Jewish people.” Fifty years on, inspired by the Rebbe’s vision, over 4,000 teenagers from 60 countries—including 300 teens from Israel and 200 from South America—are converging on “770” this weekend, as part of the largest Jewish teen gathering.
Welcomed by their CTeen Shluchim in 824 communities, Jewish teens continue to find a place to call home. Its positive energy spreading exponentially, CTeen has greatly expanded over the past year, both in reach—adding 90 chapters in six new countries—and in-depth, with the opening of 20 new CTeen lounges. With a wealth of programs empowering teens with a sense of belonging and leadership skills, CTeeners celebrate Jewish holidays, grow in their Jewish education, and spearhead communal activism.
“This year feels different,” says Mindy Gean, 17, a leader at CTeen Panama City, led by Rabbi Shlomo Nissim Poliwoda, and attending the Shabbaton for her third time. “I’m one of the oldest teens now, so I feel a greater sense of responsibility and leadership. Yet every year I learn something new about my roots.”
Over the weekend, teens hear from their peers across the world, sharing stories of overcoming challenges including antisemitism on campus, natural disasters, war and being proud Jews standing up for Israel on social media. As the Rebbe continued in his letter in 1974, “No one can do more to dispel this confusion than one of their own peers who serve as a living example of dedication and commitment to the cause of living Judaism.”
Providing teens with a space to dedicate and commit to living Jewishly, CTeen embraces positive action over all else. “Rather than sit back and worry about Jewish continuity or antisemitism, we teach our teens to stand proud as Jews, to be leaders among their social circles and online, to practice Judaism on the offense,” says Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Chairman of CTeen International at Merkos 302.
In addition to the inspiring workshops and uplifting events, participants like Eliran Cohen, 17, also from CTeen Panama, are eager to forge new friendships. “I believe that the opportunity of being in New York with so many other Jewish teens will help me strengthen my Jewish pride and sense of unity. “I’m looking forward to meeting new friends,” he says. “Experiences like these don’t happen often—but they can truly make a difference.
