COMMUNITY
JACKSONVILLE TEENS REPRESENT AT INTERNATIONAL SHABBATON By Dini Sharfstein, Chabad at St. Johns County
Teens traveled to New York for the annual CTeen Shabbaton, an international gathering of close to 3,000 Jewish teens. Led by Dini Sharfstein of Chabad at St. Johns County, teens were treated to a thrilling, non-stop program with tours of NYC and the Jewish community, inspiring Shabbat meals, talks by renowned speakers, and a highly anticipated closing ceremony.
Last year, the pandemic forced CTeeners online for a virtual Shabbaton. Auri from Creekside High School was glad to join in person this year. “It was amazing to meet so many teens from all over the world,” she says, “and that we have one thing in common, we are all Jewish!” The highlight of CTeen’s INTL Shabbaton is always Saturday Night’s concert and havdalah ceremony in Times Square. This year featured a live CTeen Tanya-printing along with a guest performance by Jewish music sensation Berri Weber. Times Square came alive with Jewish messages, as the billboards of American Eagle, Express, Clear Channel and Nasdaq were overtaken by CTeen’s customized videos. In the spirit of this year’s “Whenever, Wherever” theme, images of teens doing mitzvot were broadcasted across Time Square.
With over 600 chapters around the world, teens traveled from as far as Morocco and Argentina for last week’s international experience. With immersive Jewish experiences focused on social, educational, and humanitarian elements, CTeen is also a way for local Jews to stay connected to each other and their heritage yearround. “With very few Jewish friends, Cteen really brought the Jewish community to me,” says Gabby, from St. Johns. “It gives me a boost of Jewish pride.” Rabbi Mendel Sharfstein and his wife Dini run a local chapter of Cteen bringing new life to the area’s programming for Jewish teens.
For more info, contact Dini@JewishSJohnsCounty.com or call (904) 701-4422 12
Jax teens enjoy the Cteen International Shabbaton.
