Brooklyn Meet-Up: A Generation of Jewish Teens Comes Together

Kira Rothschild flew over 21 hours from Sydney to New York for the chance to spend a few immersive days with her Jewish peers. It was the annual CTeen Shabbaton led by Chabad’s global teen network, which, Kira said, has already reshaped her daily life. “I now am so much stronger in my Jewish identity and practice. CTeen helped me show that this is who I truly am.”

Rothschild was one of more than 4,500 Jewish teens from 486 cities across 60 countries who converged on Brooklyn this past weekend to celebrate together. For Jewish teens who often feel targeted and isolated today, participating with so many other Jewish teens was empowering.

By Thursday night, the streets of Crown Heights had become a crossroads of the Jewish teen world, with dozens of languages, flags, and songs turning the neighborhood into a global village. Some delegations came from major Jewish centers, others from places where a single Jewish teen represents an entire school or region. For many, the trip meant long, multi-leg journeys.

Teens were joined on Friday morning at Lubavitch World Headquarters — 770 Eastern Parkway — by Segev Kalfon, who was recently released after nearly two years in Hamas captivity. During his time in Gaza, he had dreamt to recite the Shema publicly upon gaining his freedom. He gathered with thousands of CTeen participants for a mass tefillin laying before leading the prayer.

The program continued with organized trips across New York City — from Manhattan landmarks to the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s resting place — before the teens returned for Shabbat candle lighting and 25 hours of programming including prayers, meals, and learning sessions.

One of the weekend’s highlights came on Saturday night in Times Square, where a joyous Havdalah ceremony unfolded before a crowd of over 7,000. The iconic billboards that usually carry advertising flashed Jewish imagery as CTeen marked its 18th year and announced its 900th chapter worldwide. Three recently freed Israeli hostages — Matan Zangauker, Ilana Gritzewsky, and Segev Kalfon — led the crowd in Shema, while a new CTeen lounge was dedicated in memory of Rabbi Eli Schlanger of Bondi, who was tragically murdered in the recent terror attack.

The sense of scale was matched by the feeling of unity. “A flame gets bigger when other flames join it,” said Ghenna Aharonow who traveled from Chisinau, Moldova, to attend the Shabbaton. “Being together with thousands of Jewish teens as one was an experience bigger than words.”

Ethan Hobbs of Kansas City said that since getting involved with CTeen, he’s deepened his Jewish identity, taking on various practices. Now attending for the third time, the 18-year-old said the milestone feels personal. “I’m 18, and this is CTeen’s 18th Shabbaton,” he said. “It’s cool to feel like I’ve grown together with it — both in my age and in my Judaism.”

The weekend culminated Sunday at Nassau Coliseum, where a crowd of 8,000 gathered for the largest international Jewish teen event to date. The stage blended music, personal testimony, and practical conversations about relationships, business, and daily Torah study. A surprise appearance by Bondi attack survivor Leibel Lazaroff brought the arena to its feet. “When I saw the CTeen mitzvah campaign for my recovery, I got emotional,” he said. “You helped save my life.”

Even as a winter storm disrupted travel plans and left many participants still stranded in New York an extra night, the prevailing mood remained one of purpose. “I hope to bring back this high spirit and joy,” Kira Rothschild said, “and show we are Jewish and proud, and we’re not afraid.”