Overview
- Thousands of teens from roughly 60 countries gathered in Times Square for Havdalah, a live concert, and messages projected on the venue’s giant screens.
- Freed Israeli hostages Matan Zangauker, Ilana Gritzewsky, and Segev Kalfon led the crowd in reciting the Shema.
- Organizers announced CTeen has reached 900 chapters worldwide, highlighting the movement’s continued growth.
- A new “Rabbi Eli’s Lounge” was announced onstage in memory of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, introduced by Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky with support from philanthropist Igor Tulchinsky.
- The Shabbaton concluded with the “Live the Life” event at Nassau Coliseum, with attendance reported between about 4,600 and 8,000, and a winter storm delaying flights for roughly 1,500 teens who are now in extended programming.