How CTeen France’s Trip Took an Unexpected Turn
by Yossi Weinstein
The girls of CTeen France had been looking forward to this trip all year. They flew in from Marseille, trained in from Lyon, drove in from Lille, converging on Paris from across France and beyond. But just as they gathered, bags packed and passports ready, the airline canceled their tickets. The girls were stranded in Paris, with no way forward and no trip to board.
For many, that could have been the end of the trip. But the teens, their parents, and Shluchim were clear: canceling completely was not an option. The CTeen Summer team at Merkos 302 quickly mobilized, with Rabbi Mendy Lepkivker coordinating the effort. In just about two weeks, an entirely new itinerary was created, taking the girls across the Western United States for a program filled with Jewish pride, learning, and friendship.
The newly designed trip was supposed to begin with a flight from Paris to Boston and then from there to Las Vegas. But on the very first day, while in the airport, their flight was canceled yet again.
The girls were devastated, realizing they would lose a full day of camp. Leaders scrambled to find a solution, exploring every possible option. At one point, there was even talk of taking a ferry into England and then a train to London just to catch another flight. But all doors seemed closed. Meanwhile, the Paris airport was in chaos, with frustrated passengers shouting while airline staff offered little help.
And then something remarkable happened.
The airline supervisor noticed the group and commented on how polite and respectful the girls had been despite the stress around them. He explained that there was a private staff flight leaving soon for New York. It was not even a flight with public tickets, just a one-time transfer for employees. But he could arrange to put the CTeen France group on it.
Not only did this give the girls a way to continue their trip, but it also meant their stopover was now in New York instead of Boston. That change opened the door for something very special.
Instead of sitting in an airport, the group was picked up by a bus, taken directly to the Ohel, and given time to daven and connect in such a meaningful place.
For the teens, it was their first time at the holy site, and it was a very moving experience. After their visit, the bus brought them back to the airport in time for their connecting flight to Las Vegas to begin their western adventure.
The girls did arrive later than planned, but not one of them felt upset anymore. The chance to visit the Ohel transformed what began as a canceled flight and frustration into an uplifting highlight of their trip.
“We originally built the trip around a visit to the Ohel, but when the timing didn’t work out, we thought that opportunity was lost. And then everything ‘went wrong’: flights were canceled, plans fell apart. But that’s exactly what made it possible. The Rebbe made sure the girls got there,” said Rabbi Mendy Mottal, director of CTeen France. “Looking back, it’s obvious: what felt like setbacks were actually part of Hashem’s plan to bring them exactly where they needed to be.”
Once in the U.S., the girls’ itinerary took them through Nevada, California, and beyond. In Los Angeles, they spent Shabbos with Friendship Circle and then joined its children for a very special volunteer program. The girls were paired with children with special needs for a day of fun, including a trampoline park outing and a group lunch. For the teens, it was an opportunity to share warmth and friendship; for the children, it was an unforgettable day of joy and inclusion.
CTeen also held a separate boys program at the same time, with a parallel itinerary. Their journey also began in Las Vegas, where they spent Shabbos with Rabbi Yossi Shuchat at Chabad Or Bamidbar. The connection between the French Sephardi boys and the local Sephardi community was immediate and powerful. Community members, including one who had long been skeptical about Jewish continuity, were deeply moved by the teens’ energy, joy, and spirit.
One local even remarked after Shabbos, “After seeing these teens, I see there’s a future for the Jewish people.” The boys continued on to Utah, Arizona, and California, forging friendships and strengthening their Jewish pride along the way.
“The Rebbe taught us that camp isn’t just a nice idea, it’s a crucial experience that stays with a young person long after the summer ends,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, executive director of Merkos 302. “For these teens, especially in France, where holding onto Jewish pride can be a real challenge, this program wasn’t a luxury; it was a lifeline. We knew something had to happen. And now they’re going home stronger, more confident, and ready to live as proud Jews.”
