‘Bringing the Light Home’ Unity Concert Caps Inspirational Shabbos for Young Jewish Professionals
The Oholei Torah ballroom pulsed with energy this Motzai Shabbos as over 700 young Jewish professionals united for a powerful Havdala Unity Concert, paying tribute to their brethren in the holy land. The moving event crowned an uplifting 25 hrs at the Chabad Young Professionals Encounter that saw hundreds embrace their first complete Shabbos.
Jewish music star Eli Levin led Havdala and an emotional rendition of Acheinu as images of Israeli hostages appeared on screen, setting the tone for a powerful evening of both solemnity and celebration. The timing proved especially poignant as news filtered in of the hostage release in the holy land.
“Shavuah Tov CYP,” Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Chairman of CYP International and Executive Director of Merkos 302, called out to the energized crowd. “Each person in this room is a leader. The energy you’re feeling tonight isn’t meant to stay contained within these walls—it’s meant to illuminate your communities back home.”
The Shabbos immersed participants in Crown Heights’ unique Jewish energy, from intimate Shabbos meals in local homes to dynamic workshops addressing pressing topics facing young Jews in today’s world. For many, it marked their first time keeping Shabbos unplugged and completely present for the immersive experience.
For Aryeh Furman, a 29-year-old startup entrepreneur who joined the weekend together with Rabbi Yigal and Elana Rosenberg of CYP Palo Alto, the weekend embodied the Chabad approach, “It’s about high energy Judaism on the offense,” he said “meeting Jews where they’re at, accepting them completely, and showing them how exciting Judaism can be. As an entrepreneur, it inspires how I try to live every day – bringing people in, lighting that spark, and watching it spread through the Jewish community.”
The energy peaked as the crowd broke out in dance, Shluchim and their community members celebrating their Jewish identity with unbridled joy. For Furman, this captured the essence of the Rebbe’s vision: “Watching these Shluchim pour their energy into creating this atmosphere – it’s incredible. It’s just passionate individuals coming together for something bigger than themselves. When everyone’s in the same room, united by a shared goal – that’s when you feel it come alive.”
“It’s about creating momentum that carries forward,” said Rabbi Nissi Lepkivker, director of CYP Encounters at Merkos 302, gesturing to the dancing crowds. “When young Jews experience Judaism with this kind of energy and joy, they bring that fire back to their communities.”
Photos: Itzik Belenitzki – Merkos 302
