3-21-2025 8:10am

Somerset County Teen Leaders Represent at Largest Gathering of Jewish Teens

Donnella Tilery Editor

Somerset County, NJ — A delegation of passionate Jewish teens from Somerset County's CTeen chapter, under the guidance of Rabbi Mendel and Chaya Shemtov, directors of Chabad of Somerset County, attended the highly anticipated CTeen International Summit in New York City. This year, the summit holds even greater significance as it aims to fortify Jewish teens, providing them with a platform to connect with fellow teenagers from across the globe and strengthen their Jewish pride and leadership amidst the backdrop of recent challenges.

The summit, held from February 28th to March 2nd, attracted over 4,000 participants from 60 countries, making it the largest gathering of Jewish teens. Amidst the vibrant energy of New York City, the Somerset County delegation, alongside their peers, experienced a weekend filled with inspiration, leadership training, and a deeper exploration of their Jewish roots.

This year’s summit carried the theme “Shine On”, encouraging teens to embrace their Jewish identity fully and proudly, no matter the opposition they face. In workshops and peer-led sessions, teens heard from fellow participants who stepped up as leaders in the face of adversity—whether evacuating with their tefillin during California wildfires, helping rebuild communities after hurricanes, standing tall on college campuses, or holding strong under fire in Israel.

Abby Akselrod, a senior at Ridge High School and a proud member of Somerset County’s CTeen chapter reflected on the experience:
"Meeting teens from around the world, especially those who share the same faith as me, has made me feel as if I am a part of an incredibly special community. No matter where we come from, be it from Israel, Argentina or the United States, inside we are one people and I have felt it with every inch of my heart on this trip. Not only did I feel understood, but I felt connected, which is what CTeen is all about.”

In workshops and peer-led sessions, teens shared personal experiences of standing up to antisemitism at school, supporting their peers through tough times, and finding meaning in their Jewish identity. “Hearing from teens my age about what they’ve been through—and how they stayed proud—showed me that leadership doesn’t wait until you’re older,” said Maddie Kerner. “We can step up now.”

The summit also featured opportunities for prayer and reflection at the world-renowned sacred site, the Ohel, resting place of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, whose belief in the power of youth inspired the creation of the CTeen movement.

"Standing at the Ohel, surrounded by thousands of teens, was incredibly powerful," shared Maddie Kerner. "It made me think about my role back home and how much we can accomplish if we work together."

A highlight of the event was the Times Square Havdalah ceremony, where thousands of teens filled the crossroads of the world, celebrating their Jewish identity in a public display of unity and pride. The ceremony also included the koshering of an iconic New York hot dog stand, marking fifty years since the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s historic Kosher campaign, showing teens how their heritage can turn everyday moments into something meaningful.

"We didn’t just talk about being proud Jews—we stood in the middle of Times Square, singing and celebrating who we are for the whole world to see," said Maddie Kerner. "That’s something I’ll carry with me forever."

Inspired by the summit the teens spearheaded a Purim celebration last week ensuring that the entire community would be included in the celebration.
Chaya Shemtov, co-director of Chabad of Somerset County, reflected on the experience:
"Our teens came back invigorated, ready to step up. This summit didn’t just strengthen their Jewish pride—it gave them the tools and confidence to lead, support their peers, and create the kind of Jewish community they want to be part of."

For parents back home, the impact was clear.
"My teen came home energized," said one of the proud parents whose teen joined the Somerset County delegation. "As a parent, seeing my daughter come home confident and proud of her Jewish identity means so much to me—especially in today’s world, when that isn’t always easy."

Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Chairman of CTeen International at Chabad Headquarters, emphasized the importance of these gatherings: "The impact of this summit is exponential. When teens like those from Somerset County return home, they bring the energy of this summit with them. They are empowered to create new opportunities for their friends to connect, to step up for their communities, and to embrace their Jewish identity as a natural part of their everyday lives."

About CTeen Somerset County

CTeen Somerset County, led by Rabbi Mendel Shemtov and Chaya Shemtov, is part of CTeen - The Chabad Teen Network, the world’s largest Jewish teen organization, with 824 chapters in 62 countries. CTeen empowers teens to become leaders and changemakers in their communities through acts of kindness, social responsibility, and Jewish learning—all inspired by the Rebbe’s empowering belief in the unique power of teenagers, seeing their idealism and energy as a driving force for positive change. Since October 7th, CTeen chapters worldwide have expanded efforts to ensure every Jewish teen feels supported, proud, and connected to their identity.