My parents were desperate for a miracle. For three years, they had tried to have a child, but nothing worked. Urged by their rabbi, they booked the expensive flight from Paris to New York to visit the Rebbe for a blessing. It was a Sunday—the day the Rebbe would spend hours giving out dollar bills to every single visitor. Each dollar was for charity, but it was also a personal moment, filled with meaning. He never tired. He never rushed. Every person who passed by was like a

Three years ago, I was a shy freshman who didn’t show much Jewish pride. That changed with CTeen. I started attending local events, then went to the Shabbaton, and most recently joined the Heritage Quest. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. CTeen gave me pride, confidence, and amazing friends. It gave me so much—I had to give back. I became a chapter leader and later joined the CTeen Connection editorial board. Now, I’m helping other teens explore their ide

For most teens, fitting in and finding your crowd feels like a matter of survival in middle school. Just as I was about to start fifth grade, my mom was incarcerated. I had to move to a completely new area to live with my grandmother, and I was eager—desperate, really—to make new friends. I tried striking up conversations. I invited classmates over for sleepovers. All I got in return were stares, laughter, or worse—silence. School milestones that should have been moments of p

I grew up celebrating both winter holidays. I never gave it much thought—if anything, the double presents felt like a bonus. My dad’s family is Hispanic and Catholic. But as I got older, it was my Jewish grandmother who made sure we stayed connected to Jewish traditions. She’s the one who introduced me to Camp Gan Israel—and to CTeen of El Paso. Like a real Jewish bubbie, she somehow convinced me to join the CTeen U course: Israel and Me. Before that course, I didn’t know muc

I never imagined that one decision would change my life—but that’s exactly what happened when I finally agreed to attend the CTeen International Shabbaton. My family began going to Chabad about eight years ago. Coming from a conservative background, I didn’t know what to make of it at first. My rabbi told me about the CTeen Shabbaton, but I wasn’t interested. I figured it was just another weekend program like the ones I had gone to before. But my mom kept nudging me to try it

Henry Worcman Schmiliver // São Paulo, Brazil Sports have been historically associated with political and social issues, serving as an...

By Emily Schenkel // CTeen Charlotte Editor’s Note: Soon after arriving home from the 2023 CTeen INTL Shabbaton, staff writer Emily...

Benyamin Rosentzweig // Raleigh-Durham, NC As Jews all over the world conclude their Yom Kippur fast, CTeener Benyamin Rosentzweig...

Ethan Benenson // CTeen Hunterdon County, NJ To celebrate this year’s theme, I asked five Chabad Shluchim from all around the world the...

Born and raised in the CTeen atmosphere, meet a new generation of Chabad rabbis and rebbetzins. Daddy’s Boy Moshe Rapaport Mequon, WI...