In a powerful display of Jewish pride and resilience, hundreds of Jewish youth from across Europe gathered at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, once a symbol of Nazi power, to celebrate their identity, despite rising antisemitism throughout the continent. The December 2024 gathering, organized by Chabad's global CTeen movement, brought together young Jewish leaders for a three-day conference focused on community building and cultural preservation in challenging times.
Standing where Hitler's forces once marched, they joined together in declaring "Shema Israel," followed by an uplifting performance of the beloved Israeli song "Od Yoter Tov" that has resonated throughout the Jewish world.
Over the three days, the youth engaged in a comprehensive program addressing their pressing concerns, including forthright discussions about the challenges facing Jewish communities and strategies for addressing them. The landmark gathering was led by Berlin's Chief Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal and attended by notable figures, including Israeli Ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor.
My message is clear: if there is one thing the October 7 massacre taught us, it is that terror is closer than we want to believe and that its violence knows no boundaries.
We, as Israelis, learned on that day that our enemies mean exactly what they say and will execute their… pic.twitter.com/4QQijkjkAD
— Ambassador Ron Prosor (@Ron_Prosor) December 13, 2024
Founded fifteen years ago by Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, who heads Chabad's global emissary network, the organization aims to unite Jewish youth worldwide. "This distinctive youth movement represents the most effective path toward building the Jewish future globally," said his son and successor, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Kotlarsky.
The conference proceeded under heightened security measures, reflecting a particularly difficult year for Jewish communities worldwide, especially in Europe, where antisemitism metrics continue their concerning upward trend. Current data reveals that 44% of Jewish youth have faced antisemitic harassment, while 41% contemplate emigration due to safety concerns, and 45% avoid visible Jewish symbols.
"During these turbulent times across Europe, this seminar stands as compelling evidence that the Jewish people endure," Rabbi Teichtal reflected. "These challenging circumstances have actually strengthened the bonds among Jewish youth, who now share a deeper sense of family connection."
