Four years ago, an important question was asked: What if we could motivate Hebrew School kids to master Jewish knowledge? Dozens of focus groups, high-energy meetings and phone calls later, JewQ was born. Since then, over 4500 kids have become experts in the fundamentals of Jewish life.
JewQ is the international Torah Championship that has taken the Chabad Hebrew School world by storm. Kids are fired up about Judaism, many even dedicating hours of their own time at home to review the information from the full-color Living Jewish textbook.
The program is growing because it works. “We’re getting kids excited to learn about being Jewish,” says Rabbi Zalmy Loewenthal, director of CKids. “Fun online review games and exciting incentives get the kids pumped to study and review in their free time.”
The realization is across the board as Shluchim, parents and the children all rave about the program. “At the end of the year, I asked all the kids what their best part of Hebrew school was – and most said JewQ!” shared Mrs. Mushka Laufer, co-director of Chabad of Northern Rhode Island.
From Skokie, Illinois, to Paris, France, thousands of Hebrew school students from around the world have competed in a series of three tests to be the top in their grade and qualify for the Shabbaton. This life-changing four-day program is packed with meaningful activities and thrilling adventures that leave a lasting impression on the children which brings the whole family closer to Yiddishkeit.
And now, for the very first time, CKids is opening up the JewQ Shabbaton to include even more contestants. Any participant that earns a minimum average of seventy percent can now qualify as well!
The highlight of the Shabbaton weekend is the live game show featuring the top three finalists from every region on stage. “My daughter’s confidence was on a whole new level!” says Jenny Baker, mother of Naomi, a 2021 JewQ finalist.
“Our goal is to instill the importance of living Jewish,” explained Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, executive director of Merkos 302, the umbrella organization behind JewQ. “The knowledge the children gain at this age can change the course of their entire lives, and many generations afterward.”
Registration is still open. Sign up your Hebrew School now at Shluchim.ckids.net/jewq.
