The doors of the Bedford Armory in Brooklyn, N.Y., swung open, and thousands of Jewish teens from 60 countries poured in on Feb. 27—launching the CTeen International Shabbaton with an unforgettable opening night and registration.
One of several sites rented to accommodate the massive crowd, the armory buzzed with energy as teens reconnected with old friends, met new peers and filled the hall with spontaneous dancing, chanting and singing in dozens of languages.
“Walking into this room, you feel it instantly. Jewish life isn’t just alive; it’s thriving,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, chair of CTeen International. “Our teens are showing the world what Jewish pride looks like, and that energy is what will carry our people forward. The future is bright.”
Among the energetic groups was a delegation of 20 students from São Paulo, Brazil, led by Rabbi Mendy and Chana Gansburg of CTeen Noach Adventures. Representing one of the 824 chapters in the largest network of Jewish teens, they brought some Brazilian warmth into the mix.
“This year, especially, we all feel how important it is to stand proud,” said Rafael Heilborn, an 11th-grader who joined the Shabbaton with the São Paulo group. “The world is watching how young Jews respond, and this Shabbaton is our answer. We’re proud, we’re united, and we’re bringing that strength back home.”
At registration, in addition to picking up swag bags and the new iconic CTeen hoodies, the teens filled out personal mitzvah commitments to take on in the merit of safety and protection for those in Israel. From lighting Shabbat candles to putting on tefillin to performing acts of kindness, each pledge turned Jewish pride into Jewish action.
Inspired by the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s view that Jewish youth hold untapped power to lead, the gathering aims to be a launchpad for exponential impact worldwide. From the very first night, the teens are showing the world exactly what Jewish pride looks like in 2025.
