100 Teens Leave Hong Kong With New Friends and Hachlatos

“I met a lot of new people, and I’m definitely going to hold on to these connections,” said Ori, a teen from Hong Kong, who hosted the historic summit. He was one of 100 teen leaders from across Asia at the first-ever CTeen Asia Shabbaton in Hong Kong. After four days together, they’re heading home with new friends and new goals.

“My favorite part was definitely Shabbat,” Ori said. “The atmosphere was great, and I got to connect with so many Jewish teens. It means a lot that they all came here to Hong Kong for Shabbat.”

Nathaniel, from Mumbai, India, pointed to something else. “My favorite part was reconnecting with my Jewish roots,” he said. “And the praying.”

The final day, Sunday, started with davening and a farewell breakfast. The boys played soccer, and the girls went to a trampoline park and arcade. Everyone met back at Chabad of Hong Kong for an outdoor lunch. At the closing ceremony that followed, Shluchim and organizers thanked everyone and celebrated what the teens had accomplished over the weekend.

The most serious moment came at the end of the ceremony. Each teen took a few quiet minutes to write down a hachlata to take home with them. For some of the girls, it was lighting Shabbos candles every Erev Shabbos. Some of the boys took on putting on tefillin more often. These hachlatos have already been brought to the Rebbe’s Ohel in New York.

“For many of these teens, being Jewish means being the only one in their class,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Chairman of CTeen International. “They’re going home with more knowledge and a deeper pride in who they are, and they’ll share that with their families and communities. The new ideas and initiatives they’ve resolved to bring home will reverberate across the region.”

As groups began leaving for their flights, those who remained gathered for one last goodbye. There were slow songs, hugs and a few tears. One final dance brought the Shabbaton to a close, with everyone singing together until it was time to say goodbye.

The Shabbaton was organized by the CTeen International Team at Merkos 302. It was hosted by CTeen Hong Kong, led by Rabbi Mendy and Mushka Rabinowitz, together with Rabbi Mordechai and Goldie Avtzon, the first Shluchim to Southeast Asia. The weekend also marked 40 years of Chabad in Asia.