This weekend, nearly 700 young Jewish professionals from 100 cities and 30 countries will convene for the largest CYP Encounter to date, offering an opportunity to grow both spiritually and professionally. Called ‘Make. Believe,’ one of the summit’s highlights will be the world’s largest young Jewish professional business networking event.
Recognized as the world’s largest Jewish business network, the Chabad Young Business Network, links nearly 300,000 young Jewish professionals in 238 cities globally. Usually, the events are hosted by the regional Chabad Young Professionals chapters, but this week’s large-scale Encounter in Crown Heights provides a unique opportunity for participants to connect with peers across continents.
“Many of these young professionals are at the start of their careers,” says Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Chairman of Chabad Young Professionals International and Executive Director of Merkos 302. “This event is a chance to develop a sense of higher purpose while building a robust network and community.”
Since October 7 and the subsequent rise in workplace antisemitic incidents, the need for such a supportive community has become increasingly critical. “These connections go beyond swapping business cards,” says Rabbi Mendel Lebovics, who hosts quarterly CYBN events at CYP S. Pete Florida. “It’s tapping into a shared purpose that recharges people. They leave feeling grounded, knowing they have a network that truly understands their challenges.”
At Make. Believe. young Jewish professionals will be grouped by industry to learn from one another, map future collaborations, and explore Torah insights that illuminate their fields of work. “Although the saying goes, ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,’” says Rabbi Nissi Lepkivker, Director of CYP Encounters at Merkos 302, “as Jews, we also believe it’s what you know—the Rebbe’s teachings infuse purpose into any line of work—helping young professionals rise above the daily grind.”
Throughout the event’s sessions, a special curriculum curated by Rabbi Shimon Gansburg of Rebbe Responsa, will help attendees discover the Rebbe’s innovative approach to various industries. For instance, catering toward YPs in Engineering and Tech, Rabbi Eitan Shilov of CYP Sunny Isles, FL, will lead a discussion on how scientific inquiry can reveal Hashem’s oneness in creation. In the medical field, Rabbi Levi Perlmutter of CYP Long Beach, CA, will share how compassion and positivity can transform medical practice. Meanwhile, Rabbi Mordechai Lightstone, director of social media for Chabad.org and founder of Tech Tribe, will discuss how media and marketing can be harnessed to nurture Jewish pride and practice in a modern world.
The Crown Heights weekend will also explore the Rebbe’s “business model,” which propelled Chabad into the world’s largest Jewish organization, employing techniques such as empowering young leadership, systemized reporting, and the power of small actions. In addition, they will learn how the Rebbe urged professionals to keep growing, maintain deep bitachon, and partner with Hashem through tzedaka—actionable strategies for their own career journeys.
By the end of the Encounter, participants will leave Crown Heights with fresh perspectives on their professions and an expanded network of like-minded peers. “Our vision is to create a generation of leaders who excel in their fields while upholding their Jewish values,” says Rabbi Beryl Frankel, Director of CYP International at Merkos 302. “With CYBN, these young professionals are equipped to thrive in today’s world—grounded in their heritage and empowered by a supportive, value-driven community.”
For more information regarding the CYP Encounter: NYC visit cypshabbat.nyc
