The screens of Times Square glowed with Jewish imagery on Motzei Shabbos as thousands of Jewish teens packed the crossroads of the world. Energized by an uplifting Shabbos in Crown Heights at the 18th CTeen International Shabbaton, the largest gathering of Jewish teens in the world, they were now leading one of the most public displays of Jewish pride the world has ever seen.

“Throughout the year, these teens are on the frontlines, defending what it means to be Jewish,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Chairman of CTeen International. “Tonight, Judaism is on the offense. The Rebbe taught us never to underestimate the power of youth, and this weekend is their springboard to change the face of Jewish life globally.”

“Am Yisrael Chai. 18 years strong. 18 years united. 18 years unapologetic,” declared Rabbi Shimon Rivkin, Director of CTeen International at Merkos 302, marking CTeen’s chai anniversary. “Tonight, we celebrate the true life, the life of Torah.”

The annual Times Square Takeover, a signature moment of the CTeen International Shabbaton, drew 7,000 participants from 60 countries to the crossroads of the world for Havdalah, a live concert, and a night of unapologetic Jewish pride. CTeen, the world’s largest Jewish teen network, has held the takeover annually, transforming Times Square into one of the most visible displays of Jewish identity anywhere.

“Times Square is incredible, just that energy, thousands of Jewish teens all together,” said Ethan Hobbs, CTeen leader at KCTeen Kansas City. “I’m 18, CTeen is 18. I’ve grown up alongside this movement.”

Singer Benny Friedman led Havdalah on stage, marking the transition from Shabbos to a new week. Israeli singer Noam Buskila and Nissim Black performed concert sets that kept the crowd on its feet.

A milestone announcement brought the night to a roar. CTeen revealed it has reached 900 chapters worldwide, spanning over 60 countries. What began 18 years ago with a handful of chapters has grown into the world’s largest Jewish teen movement, with a presence on six continents, from Budapest to Asunción to Hong Kong.

“I’m excited to help my brother get ignited in his Jewish journey,” Hobbs said. “This is my last Shabbaton, but it’s my brother’s first. I’ve been co-president of my CTeen and helped grow it into the largest youth group in town. Now it’s time to inspire others to do the same.”

The emotional peak arrived when Matan Zangauker, Ilana Gritzewsky, and Segev Kalfon, freed hostages, took the stage and declared “Shema Yisrael” together with the teens. Among them was Segev Kalfon, who had dreamed of saying Shema upon his release from Hamas captivity. He said it Saturday night, not from a cellar in Gaza, but from a proud Jewish stage in the heart of Times Square. Singer Noam Buskila then joined the hostages and teens for a heartfelt “Shir Hama’alos.”

Rabbi Kotlarsky, who had just returned from the Kinus in Bondi, turned the crowd’s attention to Sydney, where on the first night of Chanukah, fifteen people were murdered at Bondi Beach, among them CTeen Bondi director Rabbi Eli Schlanger HY”D.

The Rebbe’s message played on the massive screens, addressing how Jews respond to tragedy with strength and action. Then Priva Schlanger, Rabbi Schlanger’s eldest daughter, took the stage. “One year ago, my father saw you, proud, connected Jewish leaders, and CTeen Bondi was born,” she told the crowd. “Losing my father shattered our world. But it did not shatter his mission. The answer isn’t why. It’s what can we do.” She paused. “Darkness doesn’t define the moment. Our actions do.”

Rabbi Kotlarsky, together with philanthropistIgor Tulchinsky, surprised Priva with the announcement of “Rabbi Eli’s Lounge,” a new CTeen Lounge to be built in Rabbi Schlanger’s memory.

“There’s one thing we will make sure of,” Kotlarsky told the crowd, “light will always have the final word.”

Photos: Itzik Belenitzki/CTeen