Quarantined Around the Globe, 2,989 Children Take Chidon Finals

The final test of golus and Tzivos Hashem is marching onto victory… We will beat the Yetzer Hora 123…

The Soton is trying everything he can to stop us. To break us. This is the final test of golus.

The chayolim of Tzivos Hashem were about to take the final test of the Sara Rohr International Chidon Sefer Hamitzvos.

These special Soldiers had been working hard for months to join an incredible, high energy, inspirational, fun and exciting four-day experience in Crown Heights.

This was meant to have been a gathering of thousands of children from 34 countries and 44 states. A movement that started with 45 children and is now over 5,000 strong.

These children dedicated their spare time to learning Hashem’s Mitzvos and the 60 children meant to go on stage mastered all 613 of them- truly ready to greet Moshiach and keep all the Mitzvos.

The Soton was not going to let this happen. This is too much for him to bear. He has done everything he can to close our schools, our shuls, and our Chidon.

But Tzivos Hashem is marching on to victory. On Sunday, 2989 children took their final Chidon test with a unique twist. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, chayolim all sat the test together through a virtual network.

Instead of being disappointed that the much anticipated Shabbaton was not able to be held this week as planned, the chayolim, who had studied so hard throughout the year for this moment, wanted to finish the final test that signaled the completion of an entire book of Mitzvos.

To help them achieve this goal, the Chidon office decided that the test would be held on-line this year.

As soon as the news came out, the Tzivos Hashem technical team prepared immediately for the immense task of setting up 20 virtual testing rooms for thousands of Chayolim.

Rabbi Shimmy Weinbaum, General of the Chayolei Tzivos Hashem brigade, insisted that there would not be more than 40 children in each testing room at one time with each school in the same classroom throughout the day. He also requested that each shift in each classroom have their own whatsapp group to provide proper customer support to the parents.

“It was a tall order,” said Shira Freedman, base commander of Anash Kinder. “But we are kind of used to that at Headquarters and together with the incredible team we pulled things together.”

Chanie Kantor and Mendy Richler, the girls and boys chidon staff directors respectively, pulled together a team of over 100 staff to conduct their division’s tests. “We went through the list of the 275 girls staff members of chidon and the list of boy’s staff members and looked for the best of the best and they were truly amazing.”

“We had over 80 whatsapp groups buzzing constantly from 10am to 9pm,” said Mushka Greene, director of operations. “But, as the last children took their test there was a sense of accomplishment that we won! Thousands of children had taken their chidon final.”

Rabbi Weinbaum could not stop praising Moshe Shapiro from MyShliach boys division and Risa Brickman from MyShliach girls division. “They simply took what they were doing until now for hundreds of children and expanded their respective divisions to thousands,” he said. “No one sees the dedication of staff at Headquarters working around the clock. But it’s thanks to their dedication and sleepless nights, that a professional platform was created that allowed Chayolim to be tested from their homes.” Additionally, a huge Yasher Koach to Rina Simon, director of customer service and to Mendel Wolowick for allowing the event to run so smoothly.

Boruch Hashem, the feedback from the Chayolim and parents was extremely positive, many expressing the feeling that the experience created was as if they had been in New York with their fellow participants.

While we all look forward to seeing next year’s test taken with everyone together again with Moshiach, the sight of thousands of children choosing to sit by their computers to test their knowledge of the Mitzvos was a beautiful scene that can give hope to many of us during these difficult times.

This herculean task required the cooperation of many individuals but we would like to specifically thank the volunteers who donated their time to proctor and mark the tests, as well as the thousands of Chayolim and parents who worked with Tzivos Hashem to deliver the best experience for our children despite the circumstances.

Thank you to the best team on earth:

Boys Team:
Levi Katz
Aharon Merkur
Ari Oirechman
Chayim Wagner
Dovi Chein
Menachem Cohen
Mendel Kotlarsky
Mendel Levertov
Mendel Spritzer
Mendel Vogel
Mendel Wolffe
Mendel Wolowik
Mordechai Rosenzweig
Moshe Schapiro
Moshe Zalman Vorovitch
Motti Wilhelm
Shloime Neparstak
Srulie Robbins
Yankel Rosenblum
Yossi Simpson
Yummy Friedman
Zelig Baumgarten
Zushi Blum

Girls Team:
Batya Hadad
Chana Gittel Lipsidge
Chana Grossbaum
Chanie Harlig
Chanie Schmerling
Chanie Shpielman
Chaya Mushka Lubin
Doba Brikman
Esther Schaffran
Faige Chein
Feiga Khutoretsky
Michla Andrusier
Moussie Berkowitz
Mushka Greene
Mushka Heidingsfeld
Mushkie Rotban
Mushkie Weinbaum
Nechama Simpson
Raizel Lazaroff
Risa Brickman
Rochel Danzinger
Sara Geisinsky
Shira Friedman
Tzivie Weinbaum
Zeldie Eichorn