Girls Compete at Live Chidon

Months of studying paid off this Sunday: Chidon finalists tested their skills at the grand Sefer Hamitzvos tournament in Crown Heights.

Over 1,200 people gathered today in Wingate Auditorium to watch contestants display the knowledge they have accumulated over months of intensive studying and test-taking. The stage was set with a huge 20-foot LED screen, colored lighting and surround sound, and a game show created specially for the Chidon event, making each contestant feel like a celebrity.

The program began with a video of the Rebbe elaborating on the importance of limud haRambam, and then progressed to the competition rounds. Divided into six teams named after volumes of Rambam, the girls used buzzers to answer a rapid-fire stream of questions from the master of ceremonies, Rabbi Yehoshua Lustig, principal of Oholei Torah. Their answers were judged by Rabbi Zalman Glick and Rabbi Sholom Laine, Editor-in-Chief and Senior Editor of the Yahadus Living Lessons Curriculum.

Brothers Rabbis Levi and Yosef Zirkind took responsibility for the Chidon tests and final gameshow, creating questions and grading them. They are keeping the legacy of their beloved father Rabbi Yitzchok Zirkind a”h—a pioneer of the original Chidon Sefer Hamitzvos—alive. Sister Mushka Zirkind participated as well, writing a song about Hakhel that was performed by Eli Marcus with music by Chony Milecki.

“The energy in the room was electric,” says Rabbi Shimmy Weinbaum, executive director of Chayolei Tzivos Hashem. “It was unbelievable to see how much information these chayolim have absorbed,” adds Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, vice chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch.

Animated debates over the correct responses took place at each table on stage, while the judges carefully considered the answers. “How many mitzvos do we learn from Shema?” “For which mitzva is there no limit?” “What three mitzvos have to do with a Novi?” Each team presented their impressive knowledge with chayus; the final scores were close.

The medal ceremony wrapped up the exhilarating event. Individual winners of the bronze, silver, and gold medals in each grade were announced by Rabbi Yerachmiel Benjaminson, executive director of Tzivos Hashem. The proud champions were rewarded with sets of Chumashim and Tanach, and of course the resounding applause and cheers of the audience.

“We could not be more proud of each and every finalist,” says Benjaminson. “We are sure the Rebbe received much nachas from this event.”

The boys’ Chidon is next Sunday! Make sure to buy tickets today: Chidon613.com.

Winners:
BRONZE MEDALS

4th Grade

Hebrew Academy Margate, Florida
Mushka Gancz

MyShliach Girls of Harrisburg, PA
Esther Hadassa Pewzner

5th Grade

Cheder Chabad of Philadelphia
Sora Chana Gurevitz

Cheder Menachem Wilkes Barre
Simmi Hershkop

6th Grade

Cheder Chabad of Philadelphia
Devorah Leah Gerber

Lubavitch Educational Center Florida
Yehudis Korf

7th Grade

Bais Chaya Mushka Crown Heights
Yehudis Goldshmid

Cheder Lubavitch Morristown
Fraidy Rosenblum

8th Grade

Bnos Menachem Crown Heights
Devora Hendel

Bnos Menachem crown heights
Chaya Sara Israel

Bais Rivka Montreal, Canada
Goldie Marasow

Bais Rivka Montreal, Canada
Shterna Sara Scheiner

SILVER MEDALS

4th Grade
Anash Kinder Girls
Devora Leah Alperowics

5th Grade
Bais Chaya Mushka Los Angeles, California
Chaya Mushka Brook

6th Grade
Bais Chaya Mushka Toronto
Chaya Mushka Altein

7th Grade
Bais Rivka Crown Heights
Batya Hadad

8th Grade
Ohr Temimim Buffalo, NY
Rivky Munitz

Bais Rebbe LA
Mushka Heidingsfeld

GOLD MEDALS

4th Grade

Bais Chaya Mushka Toronto
Hadassa Altein

5th Grade

Lubavitch Educational Center Miami, Florida
Rochele Cheruty

Bais Rivka Crown Heights
Fraida Kraindel Morozow

Bais Rivka Crown Heights
Shaina Sorkin

6th Grade

Bais Rivka Montreal
Devorah Leah Gurary

7th Grade

Bais Chaya Mushka Toronto
Shaina Bracha Landa

8th Grade

Cheder Lubavitch Morristown, New jersey
Shaina Piekarski