Young Jewish scholars from across Pennsylvania gathered at Chabad of the Main Line for the Pennsylvania regional JewQ Championship, one of many regionals taking place across the globe leading up to the grand finale.
Winners will advance to the JewQ International Championship on March 30 at the CKids Shabbaton, competing against top students from Chabad Hebrew Schools around the world for the international title.
The atmosphere was electric at Chabad of the Main Line on Sunday as young Jewish scholars from across Pennsylvania came together for the annual regional JewQ Championship. The event, a high-energy competition testing students’ knowledge of Torah, mitzvos, and Jewish history, brought together students representing multiple Chabad Hebrew schools across the region, including Chabad Montgomery County, Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Center, Chabad of Delaware County, and the host location, Chabad of the Main Line.
“In today’s world, these kids are proving that knowledge is power,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302. “The knowledge allows them to connect with their roots, stand on a firmer foundation and feel proud of who they are. Shaping the next generation of proud, confident Jewish leaders.”
The competition, open to students from third to seventh grade, featured two rounds of rigorous quizzing. Throughout the “spelling bee-style” game show, competitors demonstrated their mastery of Jewish prayers, holidays, and history. The challenge escalated in the second round, where students had only one minute to list as many facts as possible on a given topic.
“This program is a game-changer,” said Rabbi Mendy Cohen, Youth Director at Chabad of the Main Line, who emceed the event. “To see these kids light up when they realize how much they know—it’s nothing short of inspiring. JewQ makes Torah come alive in a way that sticks with them for life.”
The competition culminated with six champions, each representing their respective grade levels:
3rd Grade Champion: Zohar Kreminski
4th Grade Champion: Evie Hallowell
5th Grade Champion: Mallory Podoshen
6th Grade Champion: Alexis Landau
7th Grade Champion: Nathan Fishbein
They will now prepare for the JewQ International Torah Championship on March 30th, where they will compete against regional champions from over 250 cities in 25 countries worldwide.
Preparation for the JewQ competition began months in advance. Students use their own free time to master the “Living Jewish: A Handbook for Life” textbook, which serves as the foundation of the JewQ curriculum. They then took three qualifying exams, either at home or in school. Only students who scored at least 70 percent across all tests were eligible to participate in the regional championship.
Rabbi Sholom Loebenstein, Youth Director of Chabad Montgomery County, whose students participated in the event, shared, “These kids aren’t just memorizing facts; they’re owning their Jewish identity. The dedication, passion, and sheer excitement they bring to learning is incredible to witness. JewQ isn’t just a competition—it’s a launchpad for lifelong engagement in Torah and mitzvos.”
Chabad Hebrew schools across Pennsylvania have seen growing participation in JewQ, as more students opt to take on the extra study and preparation required to compete. The program is catered for students who do not attend Jewish day schools, offering them a structured yet engaging way to deepen their connection to Yiddishkeit.
The event was a celebration of Jewish pride and Torah learning. Many parents and community members attended, creating an uplifting and supportive environment for the young scholars.
As Rabbi Cohen summed it up, “At the end of the day, every child who participated is a winner. They have taken ownership of their Jewish learning and made it their own. And that’s something truly worth celebrating.”
