Freshman Me Wouldn’t Believe Who I Am Today
Shai Fitchelberg
Jul 15
1 min read
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 identity—just like I did.





I was on https://siirtokasino.com earlier, and the idea of taking a chance on something unfamiliar reminded me of your leap from shy freshman to chapter leader. What stuck with me is how you turned the confidence you gained into helping other teens explore their identity—that's the kind of cycle that actually builds community. It made me think about my own volunteer work, where the teens who feel ownership are the ones who keep showing up.
It’s inspiring to see how far you’ve come. Have you tried using games like Drift Boss during breaks? They can be a great way to unwind while staying sharp!