The CYP Encounter series continues, next up: Atlanta, Georgia. Providing a one-of-a-kind Shabbat experience for young Jewish professionals across the US Southeast, it aims to unite young Jews from Atlanta, Alabama, Florida, the Carolinas and beyond. A weekend of unity, friendship, and meaningful Jewish engagement is coming to Atlanta at the end of the month. Young Jewish professionals from across the Southeast will gather to connect with like-minded peers and build lasting relationships.
The Atlanta CYP Encounter will take place March 21–23, hosted by Rabbi Levi Lapidus, Director of YJP Intown, at Chabad Intown. “Atlanta is the hub of the Southeast, home to the country’s busiest airport and historic rail connections. It’s the perfect place for a Shabbaton that will have a long-lasting impact, lighting a spark in participants’ lives and relationships.”
Delegations of young Jews will join local Atlantans from CYP chapters and Chabad Houses from across the southeast and beyond. These include young professionals from Huntsville, Alabama, led by Rabbi Moshe and Mushky Cohen; Birmingham, Alabama, led by Rabbi Levi and Mushka Weinbaum; Charlotte, North Carolina, ledy by Rabbi Motty and Chaya Groner; Sunny Isles, Florida, led by Rabbi Eitan and Sonya Shilov; and the host community of Atlanta, Georgia, led by Rabbi Leivi and Shelbelle Lapidus.
“It’s important to show young Jews in smaller communities that it’s possible—and practical—to meet Jews from all walks of life and build new connections,” says Rabbi Levi Weinbaum, Shliach in Birmingham, Alabama, says. “We hope this Shabbaton will demonstrate that the young Jewish professional community is much bigger than they realize. That awareness leads to a stronger and more vibrant Jewish future in our region.”
The weekend, organized by Rabbi Nissi Lepkivker, Director of CYP Encounters at Merkos 302, will feature educational sessions and workshops on how Torah addresses the challenges facing today’s young Jews, personal growth, and relationships. Sessions will address the challenges young Jews face in their professional and personal lives.
“The regional Shabbatons help young Jews network within their own area, making it easier to stay in touch and form meaningful friendships and relationships,” says Rabbi Beryl Frankel, CYP International Director at Merkos 302. “For those in smaller Jewish communities especially, maintaining a connection with like-minded peers is key to long-term Jewish involvement.”
This regional Shabbaton follows the CYP International Shabbaton in January, where hundreds of young Jews from 30 countries spent an inspiring weekend together in Crown Heights for the world’s largest young Jewish professional gathering.
CYP Encounter Shabbatons continue throughout the year, each designed to bring young Jews together in different regions. Just two weeks after the International Shabbaton, young professionals from Australia, Taiwan, Cambodia, and Vietnam gathered in Singapore for what attendees described as a “transformative experience.” Facing unique challenges in a region where Jewish life is less established, CYP Encounter Asia worked closely with local Shluchim to provide an unforgettable weekend. Now, the focus shifts to the Southeast U.S., where Atlanta will host its own landmark gathering.
“From the first ‘Encounter’ Shabbatons, The Rebbe emphasized that these gatherings should give young Jews a real taste of living Yiddishkeit — and leave them with something concrete to take home,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302, CYP’s umbrella organization. “That’s our vision for every CYP Encounter, including the Southeast Shabbaton.”
For Shluchim inquiries, please reach out to encounter@chabadyoung.com.
To sign up, visit chabadyoung.com/southeast.
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