Here is one of them:
Dear Rabbi Benjaminson, Rabbi Weinbaum, Rabbi Kotlarsky, and every single member of the most amazing chidon staff ‘שיחיו,
On behalf of my parents and myself, I would like to thank you SO SO SO much for the incredible past 5 years I’ve had with chidon. There are no words to describe the immense dedication you have shown towards making this chidon so incredibly special.
Over the past 5 years of learning for chidon, I calculated that I spent around 2800 hours in total studying the Rambam outlined in the most well-designed and educational Yahadus books!!
I am so deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to master the 613 mitzvos and their details in these five years. Chidon has given me so much in addition to the prizes and rewards which I have received: For a start, I have gained so much knowledge and halachos from learning which will IYH remain with me throughout my whole life. Chidon gave me the ability to know how to learn, it strengthened my hiskashrus to the Rebbe by learning the Sefer Hamitzvos, it instilled in me the importance of every single minute and how much one can accomplish in the amount of time, chidon has given me the passion to continue learning Hashem’s Torah. Learning for chidon filled every phone call with my friends, every break time in school, and the journeys to and from school. It was simply awesome to be engaged in Hashem’s Torah all day!!!
In addition to all the Ruchniyus benefits which I gained, in which I simply cannot thank you enough for, you have also shown such profuse generosity in your prizes and Shabbatons. I have such fond memories of my very first chidon Shabbaton in Crown Heights. I remember it being so thrilling and it was such a blast and a really really enjoyable and rewarding Shabbaton! I won a plaque and a medal and just couldn’t wait to begin studying for Book 2. I studied like I never did before and was so excited when I heard the news that I would be joining the Shabbaton that year!! And once again, it was so outstanding. I got to know so many friends (with whom I still keep in touch today!), and the trips which we went on were just unbelievable. I remember the gameshow that year as if it was yesterday – sitting there anxiously listening to the trophy winners and then I heard my name for the grade 5 silver trophy Boruch Hashem!!!
And again, I began learning Book 3 – This book was my favorite one. I really enjoyed going through the units and learning about the Beis Hamikdash as well as mitzvos that we will keep when Moshiach comes, may it be very soon IYH!!! My favorite was unit of all 5 books was unit 122, about the details of the Beis Hamikdash and its construction. And although we weren’t required to learn the sidebars, selected halachos and live the mitzvah etc, I would always take a break to read through those, and they gave me a broader understanding and appreciation for that Mitzvah. And that year’s Shabbaton was outstanding!!! Each day was packed with trip after trip and rewards. It was literally a month of camp condensed into 4 days!!!
And then registration opened for chidon 5780 – a rush of excitement filled the air and I continued to study. And even when corona came and we couldn’t go to Crown Heights, you proved to us that it’s just the soton who is trying to stop it all, but we will be the soldiers and continue studying no matter what! The virtual chidon gameshow was truly amazing and so exciting – especially when I won the Grade 7 silver trophy BH!! All the hard work definitely paid off.
Kol Hatorah Kulah and book 5 were for sure a lot to pack in, but that only added to the motivation and excitement. And once again you wouldn’t let us down… we had a choice of prizes and I chose the set of seforim, Der Rebbe retz tzu kinder, which I now read to the family and guests every Shabbos by the Shabbos table. As though these were not enough, in addition, you gave each contestant a chidon box, as well as a beautiful rose gold chidon bracelet!! Your true dedication, devotion and incredible generosity so that we should be rewarded really touched us all. And Boruch Hashem this past year I won the Kol Hatorah Kulah gold trophy! I could hardly believe it! I am so so happy Boruch Hashem!!
And now, I am writing to you, thinking back at the entire amazing experience with chidon.
From the bottom of my heart, I would like to THANK YOU SO MUCH for everything you have done for me and for all the chidon participants. I would also like to thank profusely all those who help to sponsor chidon, espically Mr. George Rohr. You have enriched my life in words that I cannot describe. What I have gained will last me my whole life Be’ezras Hashem. The Avodas Hakodesh which you do is definitely bringing Hashem’s shechinah into this world and is certainly bringing Moshiach closer. The Rebbe is no doubt beaming with incredible nachas from all of this.
May chidon go from strength to strength and may every Jewish child be zoche to participate!!!
May Moshiach come now and next years chidon will already be in the Beis Hamikdosh Hashlishi!
With tremendous gratitude and appreciation,
Sincerely,
Batsheva Dubov
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woow what a beautiful letter!! thank you for sharing