Chabad Unveils Premier International Experience for Young Jewish Adults
Chabad Young Professionals announces the global expansion of the CYP Encounter, now one of the most influential gatherings for Jewish young adults worldwide.
United States, 8th Dec 2025 – Chabad Young Professionals (CYP), the largest global network for Jewish young professionals, has announced the continued growth of its flagship event, CYP Encounter. This immersive Jewish experience for young adults will now extend its reach, bringing together even more participants from across the globe.
As a movement dedicated to supporting Jewish young professionals, CYP addresses the unique challenges faced by this demographic, offering them a space for connection, growth, and meaning. The CYP Encounter, which has rapidly evolved from a modest gathering to the world’s largest international event of its kind, stands as the defining moment for young Jews worldwide to unite around their shared heritage and values.
Chabad Young Professionals (CYP) was born out of a deep understanding of a generation’s needs, a generation that, after years of Jewish institutional investment, suddenly finds itself standing alone. For decades, Jewish philanthropists have poured resources into nurturing children and teens through day schools, Hebrew schools, summer camps, and campus programs like Birthright Israel. But as young Jews graduate from college, begin their careers, and move to new cities, they often lose the supportive structure they once knew. It’s in these critical years, from their 20s into early adulthood, that they face their most profound decisions: choosing a partner, deciding where to live, how to shape their careers, and how to embrace their Jewish identity.
Rabbi Beryl Frankel, Director of CYP International, describes the mission this way: “Chabad Young Professionals answers this gap by offering a unique blend of community, mentorship and Jewish experience that meets young adults where they are, both spiritually and professionally. With our philosophy rooted in the teachings and love of the Chabad Rebbe, we focus on personalized support that helps young Jews navigate this stage of life with confidence, purpose and a real connection to their heritage. Our framework is built around three essential pillars, Professional Community, Social Community and Jewish Experience, a holistic approach that recognizes the pressures and aspirations of today’s young adults.”
A New Kind of Jewish Gathering: The CYP Encounter
One of the most defining parts of Chabad Young Professionals is its annual CYP Encounter. It has grown into the largest international weekend for Jewish young professionals. The flagship Encounter takes place each year in Crown Heights in Brooklyn, and this year it will be held over MLK Weekend, January 16 to 18, 2026. It has become the premier weekend experience for Jewish young adults, drawing participants from every corner of the world for a few days that are meaningful, energizing and truly unforgettable.
What makes the Encounter so special is how different it feels from anything else out there. Shabbat at the Encounter is an immersive and uplifting experience that blends meaning, inspiration and a strong sense of community. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and many participants describe it as one of the most memorable parts of the entire weekend. World-class speakers share ideas that feel relevant and thought-provoking for young adults today, creating moments that stay with people long after the event is over.
Once Shabbat ends, the energy shifts into an unforgettable Saturday-night experience. The Havdalah moment brings everyone together, creating a powerful sense of unity that fills the room. This leads into the Saturday-night event, where hundreds join together for an exciting night that has become a signature highlight of the Encounter.
At the same time, the Encounter is built with young professionals in mind. Throughout the weekend there are networking events, leadership workshops and breakout sessions tailored to different fields and interests. People come away with new friendships, fresh ideas and often new opportunities for their careers and personal lives.
One of the most unique elements is the values-based speed dating program, now the largest in-person Jewish speed dating event in the world. It is high energy, fun, and comfortable, giving young Jews a natural space to meet, talk, and build real connections. For many participants, it becomes one of the most memorable parts of the entire weekend.
The combination of community, inspiration and genuine connection is what sets the CYP Encounter apart. It is a space where thousands of young adults come together to meet new people, explore their identity, celebrate Jewish life and feel part of a global movement shaping the Jewish future.
The Growth of a Global Movement
Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Chairman of Chabad Young Professionals International and key figure at Chabad World Headquarters, reflects on the movement’s rapid growth. “What started as a small gathering has turned into a global phenomenon. In 2023 we had just over 500 young professionals from more than 30 countries. By 2024 that number grew to over 600, and our projections for 2026 are close to 1,500 participants. The growth is staggering, but it tells us something important. Young Jewish professionals are looking for a space that offers real spiritual depth along with practical support. They are searching for connection and authenticity in their Jewish lives.”
He adds, “What truly sets CYP apart is the personal touch. Every participant is seen as an individual, never just a number. This comes directly from the Rebbe’s philosophy that every individual is a universe. Our success comes from creating a network where each person is known, valued and supported. The result is a genuine community where friendships, mentorships and lifelong connections grow naturally and continue long after the Encounter weekend ends.”
More Than Just Events: The CYP Movement
Chabad Young Professionals is more than an event series; it is a global network with a mission to build Young Jewish communities across the world. It serves a demographic that is mobile, career-oriented, and often unaffiliated, yet still searching for meaning and connection. The Encounter may be the centerpiece of the movement, but it is the worldwide network of communities and programs that allows CYP to truly fulfill its mission. With hundreds of local chapters and thousands of participants around the world, CYP creates a sense of global solidarity for young Jews who often find themselves isolated in their personal and professional lives.
Rabbi Nissi Lepkivker, Assistant Director of CYP International, explains what sets the movement apart. “CYP is unique because it speaks to the full spectrum of a young adult’s life,” he says. “It is about spiritual growth, career development, social connection and personal transformation. We are not just offering programs. We are building a community where young Jews feel empowered to live their values, make meaningful decisions and contribute to their local Jewish communities. And we are seeing the impact in real ways, including the friendships, relationships and many marriages forming through the Met at Chabad program, which has already matched countless young people. It shows how much young Jews are seeking connection and how powerful this community can be in helping them build their future.”
Impact Beyond the Event: Building the Jewish Leaders of Tomorrow
CYP’s reach does not end with the Encounter. For many, it becomes the launchpad for a new generation of Jewish engagement. Participants return home inspired and energized, often becoming active leaders in their local communities. At the same time, it is the dedicated network of Shluchim and Shluchos who build and sustain CYP’s global presence. With more than 350 CYP communities around the world, these leaders ensure that Jewish young professionals remain connected to their heritage, their identity, and each other, no matter where life takes them.
The Encounter also has a profound personal effect. Many attendees describe feeling a stronger sense of Jewish identity, a renewed commitment to community and a clearer understanding of their place within the Jewish people. For countless participants, it becomes a turning point, a moment to reconnect with who they are and what they believe in.
If you are a young Jewish professional looking for more meaning, more connection to your roots or simply a community that understands the challenges you face, the CYP Encounter is your opportunity to experience it all. This year’s event will take place over MLK Weekend, January 16 to 18, 2026.
For more details, visit CYP’s website or explore CYP Shabbat NYC. To see the magic of the Encounter, watch the recap film.
Media Contact
Rabbi Nissi Lepkivker
Assistant Director, Chabad Young Professionals
Phone: +1 929-394-4040
Email: encounter@chabadyoung.com
Social Media
Instagram: @cyp_international
Website: chabadyoung.com
Official Event Page: cypshabbat.nyc
Company Details
Organization: Chabad Young Professionals
Contact Person: Rabbi Nissi Lepkivker
Website: https://chabadyoung.com/
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Release Id: 08122538673