The 5th annual CTeen Leadership Retreat recently took place in Bushkill, PA, welcoming dozens of teens from around the world for a motivational and uplifting weekend.
This year’s retreat was the first to welcome international teen leaders from the UK, as well as representatives from South Africa, and Australia, proving that CTeen’s scope and reach continue its steady rise as the fastest growing Jewish youth group in the world.
This year’s program offered one of a kind and unique opportunities for teens to engage with leadership skills such as delegation and effective communication, conducted and executed by CTeen’s senior advisors, and CTeen alumni, Hannah Kaplun and Tomer Adengeko.
“Being a Senior advisor helped me pass down my wisdom to the next generation of teens. I can’t wait to see what they do next,” shared Hannah. “I’m thankful to CTeen for the opportunities it presented me with as a teen leader, and I am so happy I had the chance to share what I learned with our new leaders.”
Teens participated in a conversation about the BDS movement with Maria Ntourlia from StandWithUs, as well as a suicide prevention training workshop facilitated by Rabbi Yarden Blumstein. Spirited farbrengens were run throughout Shabbos by Rabbi Hershel and Miri Gourarie, Shluchim to Penn State.
The leaders also took part in a mental health workshop facilitated by Rabbi Yossi Feigenson, LMHC, and participated a first annual “Shark Tank” competition, moderated by Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky. The winning team took home $500 to facilitate the growth of a new ‘big brother-little brother’ program, set to be launched in August.
“I am sure this group of teen leaders will go on to inspire a generation of positive change,” shared Rabbi Kotlarsky, Vice Chairman of CTeen. “The tools they gained this weekend will surely help them successfully take CTeen to the next level.”
“I came away learning so much more than expected,” shared Hailey Jakofsky, CTeen leader of Chicago, IL. “I learned skills that will greatly benefit my chapter next year, and I made amazing new friends.”
“The most incredible thing I learned from this weekend is that us leaders have the unique ability to teach and share Yiddishkeit with our friends and peers. I’ve never felt so empowered before,” shared Quincy Barrett, CTeen Manchester’s representative, the first international teen leader to attend the retreat.
Zack Horowitz, a CTeen alumni who spent the year in Mayanot Yeshiva, closed off this year’s event by sharing the story of how three generations of shlichus—beginning with Rabbi Aryeh Weinstein of Bucks County, PA and Rabbi Motti Flikshtein, of Wilmington, Delaware, and leading to him—to roaring applause, with not a dry eye in the room.
“You may never know the impact your time, encouragement, patience and connection with each teen may have. We want you to quench our thirst for the truth with the ultimate truth. The watered-down Jewish learning and experiences that are offered to us in today’s day don’t do the job. Cteen does.”
Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Chairman of CTeen added, it was an “uplifting and motivating to see the dedication of the leaders and their passion for this mission. I look forward to watching the teens grow their local CTeens this year”.
Photos by Menachem Mayteles
She worked for so many hours on making this the best retreat! Risa, you really give your all to CTeen and all your hard work should only result in phenomenal results!
Your #1 fan 😉
Go get them excited about Yiddishkeit early on.
Kol hakavod!!!!
As the mom of a fantastic cteen chapter shlucha , I must say, wow! I have seen firsthand what they do, and watched these teens grow into the beautiful leaders they become…just amazing…way to go Hannah Kaplun.. who is on her way to a seminary in Israel soon.. such nachas!!!
CTeen is lucky to have you!