At 8:30 PM ET, the CTeen International Shabbaton’s annual Times Square Takeover will transform Duffy Square into a celebration of Jewish identity, broadcast live from the heart of New York City. The massive screens of Times Square will be substituted with Jewish messages of resilience and tradition, and videos of the Rebbe, as teens from 60 countries gather for Havdalah, a live concert, and addresses from freed hostages, community leaders, and public figures.

The event caps an uplifting Shabbos in Crown Heights, where 4,578 teens from 486 cities traveled to New York for the 18th annual CTeen Shabbaton, the largest gathering of Jewish teens in the world. CTeen, the world’s largest teen movement, connects Jewish teens to their heritage through nearly 900 chapters worldwide.

“Throughout the year, these teens are on the frontlines explaining what being Jewish means to their peers and classmates,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Chairman of CTeen International. “Now they’re walking into Times Square to show the world what Jewish pride looks like. Loud, proud, and unapologetic.”

For many of the teens, the moment is personal. They come from communities where they’re the only Jewish student in their school, from countries where wearing a Kippah takes courage. Tonight, surrounded by thousands who share that experience, they stand together in the most iconic intersection on earth, sending a powerful message to the world. It’s the vision of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who saw Jewish youth not as the future of the Jewish people, but as its leaders today.

The gathering carries a pointed message. Among those addressing the crowd will be freed hostages who endured months of captivity in Gaza. Two years ago, CTeen stood in this same spot and prayed for the release of former hostage Yosef Chaim. Tonight, he’s here to say thank you. Teens from Bondi Beach, whose rabbi was murdered in the Chanukah terror attack two months ago, will also take the stage.

In a year marked by rising antisemitism worldwide, the teens’ presence in Times Square is a declaration: Jewish life is alive, vibrant, and not going anywhere.

Each teen will return home to their community carrying that message with them, serving as ambassadors of Jewish pride in their schools, their cities, and their countries.

The Shabbaton continues tomorrow with a closing event at Nassau Coliseum, where 8,000 are expected.

Watch live at 8:30 PM ET