CTeen Lounge Showcased Inside Former Gombo’s Bakery

In honor of the International Kinus Hashluchim taking place this week, CTeen has transformed the former site of Gombo’s Bakery on Kingston Avenue into a CTeen Lounge, featuring their immersive, hands-on and fun experience.

The space, open throughout the Kinus, offers Shluchim a first-hand look at the signature CTeen Lounge concept — a warm, welcoming environment designed for public school teens to gather, grow, and inspire one another. Over the past two years, CTeen has launched more than 60 such lounges around the world, creating safe and meaningful spaces for Jewish teens to connect with their identity and community.

In addition to serving as a model for visiting Shluchim, the pop-up is open to the local community, offering families and schools a unique way to experience Shlichus in action. Through interactive exhibits and engaging displays, visitors can learn how these lounges empower teens and strengthen communities worldwide.

The project was made possible through the generosity of Crown Heights businessman and Baal Chessed Itzik Benabou, whose support has enabled the temporary installation to come to life in time for the Kinus weekend.

While the lounge is currently scheduled to remain open through Tuesday, organizers are hoping to extend it — possibly until the upcoming CTeen Shabbaton in February.