Thousands of Jewish Teens Kick Off CTeen Shabbaton with Pride, Mitzvahs, and Unity
The doors of Brooklyn’s Bedford Armory swung open, and thousands of Jewish teens from 60 countries poured in—launching the CTeen International Shabbaton with an unforgettable opening night and registration.
The Armory, one of several sites rented to accommodate the massive crowd, buzzed with energy as teens reconnected with old friends, made new ones, 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, Chairman 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 twenty teens 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 Brazilian warmth into the global 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 their brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. From lighting Shabbat candles to putting on tefillin to performing acts of kindness, each pledge turned Jewish pride into Jewish action.
Inspired by the Rebbe’s view that Jewish youth hold untapped power to lead, the largest gathering of Jewish teens aims to be a launchpad for exponential impact across the globe. From the very first night, these teens are already showing the world exactly what Jewish pride looks like in 2025.
Photo Credit: Sadya Liberow – Merkos 302
