(VINnews) — Crown Heights pulsated with energy this Motzei Shabbos as over 700 young Jewish professionals from 100 cities and 30 countries across the globe 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.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
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 Chabad Young Professionals International and key figure at Chabad World Headquarters, 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.”
The record-breaking weekend’s programming addressed contemporary challenges facing young Jewish professionals, including relationship workshops led by Mrs. Manya Lazaroff and Rabbi Shais Taub at Chabad at Texas A&M University, the world’s largest in-person Jewish dating event and a candid discussion by Disney Exec, Jim Kapenstein on maintaining Jewish identity and pride in the workplace ahead of the world’s largest young Jewish professional business networking event.
“It’s about creating momentum that carries forward,” said Rabbi Nissi Lepkivker of CYP International 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.”
For most of their lives, young Jewish professionals grew up in environments that affirmed their Jewish identity and values whether through CKids Hebrew School, CTeen meetups, or spending time at their Chabad on Campus and childhood communities. Ironically, it’s precisely when they are living alone in urban centers far from those roots and values, that they are faced with critical decisions about their futures.
That’s where the 250 Chabad Young Professionals Shluchim couples come in, creating supportive communities where young adults can find guidance, connection, and inspiration. The Encounter Shabbaton is the culmination of that effort, bringing the global young professional community together to build friendships, strengthen their sense of identity, and recommit to Jewish values.
“Young professionals are at a stage where they are shaping the trajectory of their lives,” says Rabbi Beryl Frankel, director of CYP International at Chabad Headquarters. “This weekend offers tools, mentorship, and the reminder that they are part of a global community of peers and who understand the challenges they face.”
The weekend was dedicated לעילוי נשמת הרה”ח הרב משה יהודא בן הרה”ח צבי יוסף ע”ה קאטלארסקי, Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky OB”M renowned Chairman of the international conference of Shluchim, who spearheaded the Chabad Young Professionals International movement.
