Ahead of Kinus, 18 New Communities Join the Fastest-Growing Shlichus As thousands of Shluchim prepare to gather in Crown Heights for the International Kinus Hashluchim, Chabad Young Professionals (CYP) is marking another milestone in its rapid global expansion, with 18 new communities joining its international network in recent months. This surge reflects a growing demand for meaningful Jewish connection among young professionals worldwide, as the division continues to redefine how Shlichus engages the next generation. The New Chapters: A Global Footprint The 18 newest CYP communities span six continents, bringing the total network to over 350 centers. New chapters have opened in major international hubs and emerging Jewish centers alike: - Europe: Munich (Germany), Milan (Italy), Lyon and Marseille (France) - North America: Fort Wayne (Indiana), Des Moines (Iowa), El Paso (Texas), Jacksonville (Florida), Richmond (British Columbia, Canada) - Latin America: Panama City (Panama) Each new chapter is led by a Shluchim pair or individual, tasked with building grassroots Jewish life for young adults in their 20s and 30s. The model emphasizes partnership: young professionals are not passive participants but co-creators of community, working alongside their Shluchim to design programs, events, and social initiatives tailored to their peers. A Response to an Unmet Need What began in 2014 with a handful of pioneering Shluchim has evolved into one of the fastest-growing frontiers of Shlichus. Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302, attributes this growth to the Rebbe’s model of placing Shluchim on the frontlines of Jewish life. “They see Jewish life as it develops, and they respond,” he said. “When young professionals were being overlooked, Shluchim recognized the need and built CYP.” Rabbi Beryl Frankel, Director of CYP International at Merkos 302, emphasizes the grassroots nature of the initiative. “Young professionals are not just looking for programming; they are looking to lead,” he noted. “The beauty of CYP is that the young professionals partner with their Shluchim to build communities from the bottom up. It’s a grassroots model, exactly the way the Rebbe envisioned Shlichus.” The timing is strategic. Young professionals are at a defining stage of life—launching careers, choosing life partners, and beginning to build families. These are the years when decisions shape not only individual futures but also the future of the Jewish people. By meeting them with warmth, authenticity, and vision, CYP Shluchim are creating communities where Yiddishkeit is lived with pride and joy. The CYP Encounter: A Barometer of Demand The growing desire for Jewish connection is also evident in the overwhelming response to the upcoming CYP Encounter Crown Heights, taking place January 15–17, 2027 (7–9 Shevat). Registration for the international Shabbaton has already more than tripled last year’s opening-week numbers, reflecting the enthusiasm of young Jewish professionals eager to connect with a larger Jewish community. Rabbi Nissi Lepkivker, Assistant Director of CYP International at Merkos 302, sees this as part of a broader trend. “What we’re seeing is that young Jewish professionals are actively searching for a community they can call home,” he said. “The incredible response to this year’s CYP Encounter is just one example of that. These young Jews want to be connected, they want to belong, and they want to be part of something bigger. Every new CYP chapter means another city where young Jews can find that sense of family, build meaningful relationships, and become active members of a Jewish community.” The Encounter brings together young professionals from around the world, allowing them to experience the strength of a global Jewish community while deepening the connections they have built with their local Shluchim.