This past weekend, Crown Heights became a meeting ground for over 1,000 young Jewish professionals who arrived for Encounter — three days of learning and connection in the heart of Chabad Headquarters in Brooklyn. Hailing from 308 cities in 30 countries, these young professionals came together for a packed few days of classes, discussions, and networking.
CYP Encounter has grown immensely since its inception 9 years ago. “It’s become something truly global,” said Rabbi Nissi Lepkivker, director of CYP Encounter. “The goal of the weekend is not just inspiration for a few days, but something people can carry back into their daily lives.”
Participants began the weekend with a tour of Crown Heights on Friday morning, stopping at Lubavitch World Headquarters to visit the iconic 770 synagogue and the Rebbe’s office, as well as a local women’s mikvah, wig store, and scribe. Friday also featured the world’s largest Jewish speed-dating event, led by dating coach and educator Mrs. Hindel Swerdlov.
Just before Shabbat, Eliya Cohen, who was held hostage by Hamas for 505 days, addressed a packed ballroom. His talk was one of many sessions offered over the course of the next 25 hours, which also included presentations by professional runner Gal Arad, former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Mitchell A. Silk, and others — with a focus on relationships, leadership, and personal growth.
For many, the diversity of participants was itself a powerful part of the experience. “I’m part of an unbelievably small Jewish minority in Montana,” said Evan G., a 23-year-old landscaper. “Being here and meeting young Jews from all over the world helps open my eyes to how others live their Jewish lives. I want to take a little bit of everything I experienced this weekend back home with me.”
Shabbat ended with a grand Havdalah ceremony and concert. On Sunday morning, participants headed to the Queensborough Performing Arts Center for a program featuring singer Shulem Lemmer, along with words of inspiration from Rabbi Yitzchok Schochet and Teddy Raskin, CEO of Simpli, before traveling to the Ohel — culminating the weekend with prayer at the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s gravesite.
“Being surrounded by so many Jews was something I had never experienced before,” said Jessica Addvensky of New Orleans, who attended Encounter for the second year in a row. “Last year was the first time I ever kept Shabbat, and since then I’ve been keeping it at least once a month.”
The participants may have arrived as strangers, but hundreds of connections were created over these few days. “You can see the impact in the way people interact by the end of the weekend,” said Rabbi Beryl Frankel, Director of CYP International. “People who didn’t know each other a few days earlier are suddenly having deep conversations and lasting relationships.”
This weekend was also the first Encounter experience for many young professionals. “I’d never been to Crown Heights before, and I’d never experienced a Shabbaton,” said Jennie Fishman of Stamford, Connecticut. “Over the past two years I’ve been learning and doing so many things for the first time, and this feels like another step in that journey.”
Now more than ever, young Jews around the world are seeking connection and community. With antisemitism on the rise, many have found themselves navigating heightened isolation and questions of identity and purpose. “After October 7, it was like a switch went off,” Fishman said. “Seeing the way the world reacted lit a fire in me. I felt like if people were going to dislike me for being Jewish, then I was going to be the biggest Jew I could be.”
For many who attended, Encounter was not an escape from the challenges facing Jewish life today, but a call to engage them more deeply — together.
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