These days, the annual Kinus Hashluchim—the International Convention of Emissaries of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem M. Schneerson—has begun in New York. Thousands of shluchim have gathered in the Crown Heights neighborhood from the most remote corners of the world—from Argentina to Australia, from Israel to Ukraine. Each year, this convention becomes not just a meeting of old friends and comrades, but a true forum of unity, inspiration, and action, where shluchim share experiences, achievements, and new ideas on how to make the world brighter and kinder in the spirit of the Rebbe’s teachings.
One of the important focuses of this year’s Kinus was the development of the CTeen (Chabad Teen Network) youth movement—a global Chabad initiative that unites Jewish teenagers in over 700 communities worldwide.
CTeen Kinus Workshop: A New Horizon for Young Shluchim
As part of the Kinus, an open seminar for young shluchim (yungeleit) was held—”CTeen Kinus Workshop: Independent CTeen Shlichus – The New Frontier.” This event became a real breakthrough in the development of youth-oriented shlichus, offering a new path for those seeking to start their own mission.
Hundreds of young rabbis looking for their place in shlichus came to Crown Heights to find inspiration and opportunities. After all, most regions of the world already have permanent shluchim, and finding “free territory” to establish a new center can sometimes be challenging. This is precisely why CTeen International presented a new concept—independent shlichus focused on working with teenagers, enabling the creation of one’s own projects and impacting the lives of hundreds, even thousands, of young Jews.
“The goal of such workshops is to give shluchim the opportunity to share experiences, see new formats of work, and find a common language with youth,” noted Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Director of the International Kinus Hashluchim and Executive Director of Merkos 302.
He emphasized that over the past year, the CTeen network has grown incredibly fast: “Teens are seeking meaning, striving to do good and change the world. Shluchim see this demand and transform local insights into a global movement.”
To meet this demand and support new shluchim, CTeen International held a special open session showcasing the opportunities for creating fully independent CTeen centers, with their own “CTeen House”—a Chabad House dedicated exclusively to working with Jewish teenagers.
“We have seen that when a shliach has complete independence and focuses solely on teens, the impact increases tenfold,” explained Rabbi Shimon Rivkin, Director of CTeen International at Merkos 302. “That is why we are encouraging young shluchim to take on new projects, create their own CTeen missions, and help young Jews find inspiration, pride, and belonging to their people.”
Thus, the Kinus Hashluchim in New York has once again become not only a symbol of unity but also a platform for new ideas shaping the future of Jewish youth. The Rebbe’s lessons about love for every Jew continue to live on—in new generations, new initiatives, and the hearts of those who dedicate themselves to serving the Jewish people.
