Young Professionals Unite For First-Ever Shavuos Retreat

They came from across Manhattan’s Upper East Side and beyond—245 young Jewish professionals, drawn by the simple desire for a more meaningful Shavuos. What they ultimately experienced was nothing short of transformative. Full Story

June 9, 2025 – 13 Sivan 5785

Organized by Chabad Young Professionals of the Upper East Side and chaired by community leaders Amanda Oppenheimer, Josh Friedman, and Rachel Yamin, the retreat was more than a getaway. It was an immersive dive into authenticity: authentic people, authentic Judaism, authentic nature, and authentic joy. Everyone there felt deeply touched. It was a full-on community embrace.

“This Shavuos was one of the most special I’ve had,” said Amanda Oppenheimer, an interior designer and leader in the CYP UES community. “Being with hundreds of like-minded young professionals who chose to spend their holiday together through learning, meaningful conversations, and shared activities created an energizing and uplifting atmosphere. The impact exceeded my expectations.”

The mosaic of educators. Six rabbis and rebbetzins—each with a distinct voice, approach, and personality—brought vibrancy and warmth to every class, conversation, and meal. Together with their families, they made Torah and Judaism not just something studied, but something lived.

Dr. Rachel Yamin, a senior research scientist and also a leader in the CYP UES community, who helped curate the retreat’s educational program, but even she was surprised by the impact. “We had an amazing line-up of rabbis that represented different backgrounds and life experiences and somehow were able to inspire and unite us all,” Yamin said. “Especially in these challenging days, when we can feel divided and drifting apart, this retreat helped us see how strong we are standing together. We learned from every Jew and used everyone’s perspective to grow in our Judaism and faith.”

Then, the size and quality of the group: 245 young professionals from all walks of life, many meeting for the first time, quickly formed a community built on openness, curiosity, and positivity. For the full 2.5 days, people could be found in clusters—two, ten, twenty—talking, lounging, playing games, learning, laughing. Everyone was engaged, with someone or something, at nearly every moment.

“I saw the importance of this retreat as a way to bring our community closer,” said Josh Friedman, a business manager in the sports industry and leader at CYP UES. What struck him most was the energy that didn’t fade, day or night, “what truly stood out was seeing people from all backgrounds gathered at all hours, eager to engage with Torah and warmly honoring our rabbis.”
Camp Kaylie’s expansive, peaceful setting offered the perfect backdrop. With beautiful grounds and gracious staff, the environment was the ideal space to breathe, unwind, and open up to growth, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

And the program itself? Packed. Robust. Relentlessly engaging. From morning until well past midnight, there were Torah classes, panel discussions, formal debates, one-on-one learning sessions, and personal conversations.

For many, it was their first time engaging with Torah in such a real and immersive way, and it hit deep. Yamin described the variety that made the learning accessible: “We got to meet so many young professionals of different backgrounds who came together and had the most uplifting experience of unity and Torah study,” she said. “From heart-to-heart conversations to Torah debates on the most basic values of Judaism, to text-based Gemara and Tanya classes—there was something for everyone to connect with in the way that inspired them the most.”

This wasn’t “Judaism lite.” It was rich, textured, and unapologetically Torah-true. Davening overflowed with melody and meaning. Every topic under the sun was taught with sincerity and infectious enthusiasm. It was the kind of learning you become addicted to and keep coming back for.

And it was geshmak. Not just meaningful, but deliciously joyful. You almost couldn’t explain why it was so magical—but you just knew that it was. “We’re doing this again next year” became a common refrain before Shavuot had even ended.

Messages poured in afterward, both written and spoken. One participant said it best:

“I am sure it was a herculean effort to pull off at this scale, but it is deeply appreciated. You are all an inspiration.”

They came for a Shavuot away.

They left with something more: souls on fire, spirits uplifted, a renewed sense of Jewish belonging, lasting bonds, and enormous pride in the Chabad Young Professionals community of the Upper East Side.