1000 Cteen’ers, Alex Clare and a Massive Display of Jewish Pride

Following a spiritually uplifting Shabbos, 1000 Cteen’ers hopped on the subway and traveled to Times Square for a Havdalah ceremony and concert with superstar Alex Clare, all broadcasted on the American Eagle jumbotron and capped off with a video of the Rebbe. The result was a Kiddush Hashem of immense proportions.

Teenagers from the United States, Canada and Europe traveled to New York City for a weekend of inspiration, education and entertainment as part of the CTeen (Chabad Teen Network) International Teen Shabbaton. The program began Feb. 28 and lasted until March 2.

Many came in with their local Chabad rabbis and had the opportunity to immerse themselves in Shabbos for the first time, as well as get a dose of the city that never sleeps. The weekend was centered at Lubavitch World Headquarters in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y., and participants stayed with host families in Crown Heights.

The three days were jam-packed with activities and programs, beginning with a sightseeing trip to Manhattan on Friday and a visit to the Jewish Children’s Museum once back in Brooklyn.

Later in the day, the women participated in a candle-lighting ceremony to usher in Shabbos, while the men were afforded a yeshivah experience at Oholei Torah boys’ school, learning from Jewish texts with students there. Shabbos services followed, as did a unity Shabbos dinner, and roundtable discussions with rabbis and Jewish celebrities, including British hit singer and songwriter Alex Clare. There was also an opportunity to visit the private office of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory.

The Shabbos schedule included classes, meals at the homes of host families, “Hot Topic” workshops and interactive games.

On Motzei Shabbos, the group headed off to none other than Times Square for a Havdalah ceremony—to be led by Clare—heralding in a new week, followed by a concert by him.

In an amazing spectacle of Kiddush Hashem, a video of the Rebbe was broadcast on the gigantic Times Square screen – the American Eagle jumbotron – for everyone in New York’s busiest tourist attraction to see.

The Havdalah event was followed by shopping, bowling, arcades, food and live DJ music.

“CTeen has been one of the most amazing experiences for me,” said Atlanta resident Talya Gordon. “I got to take a look at the lives of other Jewish teenagers like myself. I created many lasting friendships and felt a strong connection to Judaism. CTeen brings together Jewish teenagers who lead different lifestyles, but all share their love for Judaism. The experience enabled me to view Judaism as not only my religion, but as a way of life.”

The teens took a Sunday-morning trip to the Ohel in Queens, N.Y.—the resting place of the Rebbe and his father-in-law, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yitzchok Yosef Schneersohn, of righteous memory. The group then returned to Crown Heights to tour the main mikvah there, followed by a farewell banquet in the ballroom of Oholei Torah, complete with a buffet lunch, comedy show, CTeen “Choice Awards” program and closing ceremony.

The Shabbaton was launched six years ago with 60 people at its initial gathering in New York. It has grown exponentially ever since, with this year’s attendance reaching 1,000 for the annual weekend program.

Photos by Bentzi Sasson

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 108 109

14 Comments

  • Uncle and Aunt

    Shimon and Leah, you do tremendous work, more than I ever imagined possible. I am sure that the Rebbe is having lots of nachas from your avodas hakodesh. Keep thinking big, there is a lot more to accomplish.

    Your proud Uncle and Aunt (your gonna have to guess which one)

  • Wow

    Shimon Rivkin your amazing!!!!
    Keep it up.
    Chabad can use some more ppl like you…

  • shlichus

    amazing kidush hashem

    what a fantastic way to start rosh chodesh adar

  • hersh

    What a beautiful kidush hashem! Whoever organized this event does things on a grand scale. I had two teens at my house for shabbos and they both couldn’t praise this event enough.

    Keep up the good work, the future of yiddishkeit is in your hands

  • Shliach of cteen!

    I bought in a group of teens for this unbelievable shabbaton! It was absolutely amazing!! Mendel Perlstein thanks so much for organizing this and always being there for the cteen shluchim! And rivkins helped out too so thanks goes to u too.

  • wow!

    Once again, Shimon and Leah Rivkin did an amazing job!! You make us fellow Lubavitchers proud!