Our story
From the first chapter to Cteens all across France
Twelve years of adventures, trips and encounters: how Cteen became a network of teens, leaders and chapters all over France.
A movement on the rise
Cteen was born in the United States, where the movement already brought together thousands of teens. In 2014, after studying several countries, it chose France for its first location outside America, with a simple idea: to give Jewish teenagers a place to meet, learn and grow with joy.
Today, the network has 116 chapters and reaches +6 000 teenagers every year, with teen leaders, educational leaders and local organizers.
Our key dates
- 2014SeptemberCteen France is born
France is chosen from among several countries to host Cteen outside the United States. The youth association is founded.
- 2014OctoberFirst event: sushi in the Sukkah
The first Cteen meal, in the Sukkah, in Montrouge and in the 13th arrondissement of Paris.
- 2015Hanukkah on the Seine
A cruise on the Seine with Cteen to celebrate Hanukkah among teens.
- 2016200 young people from France in New York
Two hundred young people from France travel to New York for the international Cteen Shabbaton, with teens from around the world.
- 2018–19A year of growth
121 Cteen centers in France, 6,239 teens from non-Jewish-community schools and 1,075 evenings organized across France.
- 2020Solidarity during Covid
180 young people mobilize to help isolated people book a vaccination appointment.
- 2021Launch of the leaders program
Teens are trained to run their own chapter and help it grow.
- 2022Purchase of the Cteen villa
Cteen now has its own villa for its stays and activities.
- 2023The first 15 Cteen rooms
Opening of the first fifteen Cteen rooms within the chapters.
- 2024Israel Journey
A humanitarian trip to Israel.
- 2025Cteen Xtreme on the US West Coast
A big trip across the American West.
- 2026Invited to the Élysée and to the US ambassador's residence
Cteen leaders are received at the Élysée Palace, then at the residence of the US ambassador, Charles Kushner.
- 2026SummerXpedition Vietnam
A trip of adventure and discovery: Hanoi, Lan Ha Bay, Mai Chau and Hoi An.
- 2026November 19–22Paris, host city of the European Shabbaton
Paris welcomes 800 young people from all over Europe for a weekend of meeting, joy and friendship.
The next chapter, we write with you
Every chapter, every evening, every teen who walks through the door moves this story forward.
Non-profit youth association