“Hey, Mom, look! I’m in the paper!” Shalev Mayor Solell exclaimed, holding up the latest edition of the Australian Jewish News. The smiling lad is celebrating yet another surreal mark, heralding his recently being crowned as JewQ National Champion.
“When I first joined,” explains the eleven-year-old, “I had no idea that the Aussie champion would join the International Championship in NY!”. Why did he do it? “It just felt like I‘d learn a lot and have fun, so I was in.” He wasn’t wrong. “I did learn a ton! I now comfortably know what the Jewish holidays represent and how to celebrate them when they come around.”
Shalev’s hometown of Mullumbimby is distant from the Jewish hubs in Sydney and Melbourne. But it was this small, tight-knit Jewish community, without a Jewish day school of its own, that produced the champion of the JewQ Australia Championships. Shalev’s journey reflects the broader story of the JewQ initiative: how it empowers young Jews worldwide to connect to their heritage in a fun and meaningful way.
JewQ Australia is the regional wing of a global initiative that began in the United States in 2019. Starting with 250 participants, the project of CKids International at Merkos 302 has ballooned into a program that serves over 3,600 children across 23 countries. For children like Shalev, it’s a lifeline, allowing them to learn about their heritage on their own in a gamified, engaging manner.
Shalev’s personal journey to victory in JewQ was marked by dedication and hard work. “Studying the material wasn’t hard; it was actually really enjoyable,” says the youngster, whose hobbies include soccer and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Getting the top mark on the tests, especially the grand final, was a different story. “It took lots of hard work, but once I got started, I just couldn’t stop; I went full steam ahead.”
The Chabad House in Byron Shire, the heartbeat of Jewish life in the region, brought the JewQ initiative to Mullumbimby. The Chabad’s directors, Rabbi Tomer and Mrs. Rachel Ben-Harosh, couldn’t be prouder. “Living in the beautiful remote Northern Rivers, a wide variety of activities are on offer. We’re honored to have Shalev prioritize his regular participation in Chabad House activities as well as in Camp Gan Israel.
“This is the first year that Chabad Byron Shire has joined the JewQ competition, and Shalev was the first to sign up once we announced it. He studied with dedication, and it paid off, passing all the tests with flying colors. He’s a real inspiration to all of us here in the wider community,” the Rabbi reflects, his eyes gleaming with pride.
We asked Shalev how he reacted to hearing that he was crowned as National Champion, winning a chance to compete in the international Championships half a world away. “I just could not believe it; I didn’t think I would be the winner!” he said. “I learned that I can be the champion.”
Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Chairman of CKids International, wants to see ‘Shalev’s in every community. “With JewQ, we don’t merely want to impart knowledge of our Jewish heritage to the children. We’d like to see every young JewQ contestant become an ambassador to their family, friends, and community, relaying all the values learned.”
In Byron Shire, the local impact has been seismic. According to Ben Harosh, “The win created great echoes in our region and will, God willing, inspire more children to join the program, learn, and get more involved in Jewish matters in the future.”
As he prepares to represent Australia at the International Championship, Shalev sends a message to anyone considering joining JewQ. “You’ll have lots of fun, get automatic prizes, and learn all about our Jewish heritage. So what are you waiting for? And hey, I never thought I’d win, but here I am!”
With additional reporting by the Australian Jewish News
