High-Profile Speakers to Address Young Jews Navigating Today's World at Record Young Jewish Professionals Gathering

High-Profile Speakers to Address Young Jews Navigating Today’s World at Record Young Jewish Professionals Gathering

One of the most pressing questions facing young Jewish professionals today is how to live proudly as Jews in the wider world while navigating the daily pressures of career, friendships, and family life. The lineup of speakers at the upcoming Encounter Shabbaton in Crown Heights is designed to tackle that question head-on.

“This weekend is all about giving young professionals the confidence, language, and lived experience to integrate Jewish pride into every part of their lives,” says Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302. “Our hope is that they will carry it back to their homes and communities, becoming sources of inspiration to those around them.”

The weekend schedule will be packed with immersive programs and experiences, allowing participants to encounter authentic Jewish life, many for the very first time. Visits to 770, the Ohel, a sofer, a mikvah, and even the vibrant hustle of Kingston Avenue will bring Yiddishkeit vividly to life.

Building on those powerful experiences will be the Shabbaton’s featured sessions, delivered by individuals who have lived proudly as Yidden in extraordinary circumstances and speak from firsthand experience.

“We’re expecting the largest number of young professionals ever to attend this Encounter Shabbaton, and months of careful planning have gone into making this the most impactful program yet,” says Rabbi Beryl Frankel, director of CYP International.

Among the highlights of the program will be sessions by:

Mitchell A. Silk, former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury during President Trump’s first term. With a remarkable life journey spanning from China to Washington, D.C., he navigated the highest levels of government while openly and proudly living as a religious Jew, an experience sure to resonate with young professionals charting their own paths in the professional world.

Rabbi Yitzchok Schochet, often dubbed “the world’s most outspoken rabbi,” has served as the rabbi of Mill Hill Synagogue since the age of 28, around the same age as many of the participants. Under his dynamic leadership, the community has grown to over 1,800 families. A renowned speaker and writer, Rabbi Schochet brings deep insight drawn from decades of addressing real-world Jewish challenges, offering powerful perspective for young professionals beginning to shape their own Jewish journeys.

Rabbi Avremi Zippel shares a powerful and deeply moving story of courage and resilience, recounting how he found the strength to speak out after a decade of silence as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, while simultaneously serving as a community leader and founder of Chabad Young Professionals of Utah. Believed to be the first Orthodox rabbi to publicly address this issue, his decision to come forward sparked a path of advocacy that led to his nomination to a four-year term on the Utah Council on Victims of Crime. His journey of healing and purpose is certain to resonate deeply with young professionals as they navigate challenges of their own.

Rebbetzin Hindel Swerdlov, a Los Angeles native now living in Jerusalem, is a dating coach, lecturer, and teacher of Chassidic philosophy at Mayanot Women’s Yeshiva College and Oryah Women’s Seminary. A renowned motivational speaker and sought-after dating coach, she brings clear, relevant guidance on relationships and marriage, topics very much at the forefront of young professionals’ lives, presenting a Torah-based approach that is firmly grounded in the realities they face today.

Eliya Cohen, who was held hostage by Hamas in Gaza for 505 days, carries an extraordinary journey of emunah and resilient Jewish identity. Kidnapped from a bomb shelter on October 7th, he endured unimaginable darkness and hardship. During captivity, he rediscovered and profoundly deepened his connection with Hashem, finding strength and meaning in the most trying conditions.

At the Encounter, he will speak about the power of emunah, the beauty of Shabbos, and the resilience of Jewish pride, sharing messages certain to leave a lasting impact on every young professional in attendance.

Gal Arad, recognized as the fastest Jewish runner. Competing at the highest levels of track and field, he inspires others to push past self-imposed limits, embrace their Jewish identity with pride, and apply the mindset of a professional athlete to real life, fueling their true potential physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Mrs. Sarah Greenspan, is a licensed professional clinical counselor passionate about helping individuals uncover their purpose and navigate personal growth. Raised in Cleveland, Ohio, she developed an early interest in what motivates people and shapes human behavior. With a background in psychology from Yeshiva University and clinical mental health counseling from Nova Southeastern University, she brings thoughtful, research-informed guidance focused on self-discovery, resilience, and meaningful change. At the Encounter, she will guide young professionals toward deeper self-understanding while addressing obstacles to personal growth.

“This lineup of speakers truly speaks to young professionals at exactly the stage they’re in right now,” says Rabbi Nissi Lepkivker, director of CYP Encounters. “Most of their day is spent thinking about their careers, their hopes of building a family, and their social circles, and these speakers help them reframe all of it through a proud and authentic Jewish perspective.”

Of course, the weekend will also feature a range of immersive experiences, including the opportunity to spend an authentic Chassidic Shabbos in homes throughout Crown Heights. These firsthand encounters allow participants to experience vibrant Jewish life lived authentically and proudly in today’s world.

The CYP Encounter: Crown Heights Shabbaton will take place MLK Weekend: Jan 16-18, 2026 | 27–29 Teves 5786.