The first of 1,000 Jewish young professionals began arriving in Crown Heights on Thursday evening for CYP Encounter Shabbaton, the largest international gathering of young Jewish professionals.
Flights from around the world en route to Crown Heights touched down throughout the day as participants made their way to Brooklyn. Some traveled just a few hours; others crossed oceans and time zones to be part of the weekend.
“I just got in from Montana—13 hours of travel with layovers—and I’m so excited to finally be here,” said Evan G, a 23-year-old professional landscaper. “I’m an unbelievably small minority as a Jew in Montana, but I get to represent in so many ways. It can be a lot on me sometimes.”
At the Jewish Children’s Museum, registration tables buzzed with activity as participants checked in, collected weekend guides and CYP Encounter merch, and reconnected with friends from previous events, or met new ones for the first time.
“For many participants, it’s the one time a year they get to see they’re not alone,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Chairman of Chabad Young Professionals International. “It gives them the strength to keep showing up, and to carry that strength back into the office and their communities.”
Evan, attending his first Encounter, said he’s looking forward to meeting young Jews from across the country. “I hope to bring back more than just inspiration,” he said. “I want to bring back a little bit of everything I see and experience this weekend.”
The gathering draws participants from amongst the 325 CYP chapters worldwide, making it the flagship event for the world’s largest young Jewish professional network.
“Months of preparation went into making this weekend possible,” said Rabbi Nissi Lepkivker, director of CYP Encounters at Merkos 302. “Seeing everyone finally arrive and come together is what it was all about.”
