By Erin Levi
On Thursday, BCteen founder Rabbi David Shushan led a group of 11 teens from BJCC to Crown Heights. In the parking lot of Beth Rifkah High School, each teen was handed a chicken to perform kapparot, a custom of symbolically transferring one’s sins to an animal before the Day of Atonement. After performing kapparot, the chickens were donated to be slaughtered.
Their appetites now whetted, the boys went to Joseph’s Dream Burger, a relatively new establishment in Crown Heights. Over burgers, French fries, and sodas, Rabbi Shushan shared words of Torah, speaking about the topic of Yom Kippur, teshuva (repentance), kapparot, and the importance of performing mitzvot (commandments) with care and attention. They also prayed before the food came. This was the group’s second outing to Joseph’s Dream Burger, having previously dined there seven months ago before a visit to the Chabad headquarters for the month of Adar.
After returning the teens to BJCC, Rabbi Shushan brought two adults—Avram Arenbayev and Zevulun Isacharov—with him and headed back to Crown Heights in the early hours of the morning to continue performing kapparot.
“Doing kapparot in the middle of the night is the best mitzvot of Yom Kippur,” said Rabbi Shushan. He also added it was “very nice” to be representing the Bukharian community there.
A Mission of Jewish Connection and Celebration
BCTeen was conceived as a response to the growing need to engage and support “at-risk” Jewish teens, namely those who may be vulnerable to disconnection from their cultural roots. Rabbi Shushan emphasized that BCTeen operates not merely as a network, but as a familial community, offering support, education, and a sense of belonging to its members.
“Especially in this generation, where assimilation rates are high, it’s crucial to instill in teens a sense of pride in their Jewish identity,” Rabbi Shushan noted. He underscored the broader mission of BCTeen, which extends beyond social outings to encompass a deeper exploration of Jewish heritage and values.
“Our goal is to provide a welcoming environment where teens can rediscover and celebrate their heritage,” Rabbi Shushan explained. “Whether they come from Forest Hills, Rego Park, or attend public schools, all Jewish teens are welcome to join us in reconnecting with their roots, surrounded by supportive peers.”