CTeens Shabbaton was extended due to inclement weather – and what a wonderful extension it was!

By Regan Lipes, LJI Reporter

(AJNews) – This year’s CTeens Shabbaton in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, was one for the books! After all the wonderful Shabbaton memories were made, and Time Square had been filled with 4,500 singing, dancing, jumping, Jewish teenagers and their chaperones Motzei Shabbos, extreme weather conditions descended upon New York and surrounding areas. Instead of flying home on Sunday, as scheduled, cancelled flights and a local 24-hour State of Emergency order, meant that G-d had different plans for this year’s cohort of attendees.

Rabbi Ari Drelich of Chabad Lubavitch of Edmonton chaperoned four young boys for a weekend, that turned into a week. What needs to be celebrated is the amazing work that Chabad organizers undertook at a moment’s notice to ensure that all the guests who had come for the Shabbaton were taken care of with full Chabad-hospitality until their rescheduled departures. This meant lodging and meals but also programming for the teens; it should also be noted that this was all provided as chesed (“On the house”).

Parents were grateful to their children’s chaperones for looking after their teens for an extra three days but could not have imagined the level of enrichment that was provided during this additional time. The Edmonton teens got to go for Torah study with Yeshiva boys, participated in group activities with young Jews from around the world whose flights had also been cancelled, went swimming, had basketball tournaments, and attended concerts. With Purim coming so soon after the Shabbaton, girls got together to bake, and eat, Hamantaschen in preparation. There were so many teens and chaperones whose travel plans changed that entire halls were filled for events. Quite movingly, at one such gathering guest were joined by an inspiring speaker: a Chabad Rabbi/Chaplain who lost both his legs in Syria.

A big yashar koach to Amit and Benji, two Edmonton teens who were the first-place winners of the Chabad Snowman Competition! Since snow was the reason everyone’s flights could not depart as scheduled, it seemed only fitting to use the ample mounds of fluffy powder to make snowmen. The teens needed to ensure that their creation would be CTeens-themed and reflect Yiddishkeit in some way.  Amit and Benji, as true Canadians, sculpted a snowman nearly their own height – not their first rodeo. They bedecked him in a Rabbi’s kippah and black hat holding CTeens swag-merch in one snowy arm, and Moshe’s staff in the other – a snowman fit for Crown Heights! As the winners, they will receive free registration for next year’s Shabbaton festivities.

It is a testament to the organizers who were able to achieve so much with so little time to prepare for an extra three days of massive hosting. Groups from around the globe found themselves staying longer than expected, and Chabad made certain to fill this time with meaningful moments, friendship, joyful learning, and food – the cornerstones of a Jewish experience.

Rabbi Drelich and the Edmonton boys returned tired, nearly a week after their departure, but spiritually recharged. Parents from Jewish communities near and far remain grateful to the CTeens Shabbaton organizers and chaperones for taking such amazing care of their kids, but this year’s group can truly say that they had a once-in-a-lifetime Shabbos experience in Crown Heights. It has been said that when Jews find themselves in need of support abroad, in addition to reaching out to their nation’s embassy or consulate, they should contact the local Chabad and the 5786 (2026) CTeens Shabbaton is testament to this.

Next year’s CTeens Shabbaton will be held from February 25 to 28 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Boys and girls from grades 9 through 12 who are interested are invited to contact Rabbi Drelich at Chabad@shaw.ca, or 780.993.1818.

Regan Lipes is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter