The JewQ International Championship event transformed Stamford, Conn., into a vibrant hub of Jewish learning and camaraderie this weekend as finalists, their families and friends from 25 countries gathered for the spelling bee-style finale event. This year, the annual event, taking place against the backdrop of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel and the ensuing war, focused on the Jewish traditions connected to the Holy Land.
The competition saw Jewish participants from public schools in 250 communities and 25 countries worldwide, including Australia, France, Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador, where participants demonstrated their mastery of a vast array of topics related to Jewish tradition and culture. It was marked by a focus on the Holy Land, featuring guest questions from notable figures such as Israel Defense Forces Paratrooper unit Cmdr. Nerya Meir; Chani Klein, a Chabad-Lubavitch representative in Eilat; and Israeli farmer Gershon Zinner, who asked questions about their areas of work in Israel.
An educational video segment showcased the historical and religious significance of Israel, where the kids competed in a game-show event on topics such as the Jewish fast days commemorating the destruction of the holy Temple in Jerusalem and the traditional seven species blessed upon the land.
The event also featured a moment of prayer, during which participants undertook additional good deeds in solidarity for peace and safety in Israel, echoing the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe on the transformative power of youthful acts of kindness.
“In today’s environment, where Jewish children face undue challenges, it’s critical to empower our youth with the confidence that comes from deep-rooted knowledge and understanding of their heritage, said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky of Chabad world headquarters in Brooklyn, N.Y. “Everyone in the packed audience watching these impressive children had a feeling of strong positivity and hopefulness for a bright Jewish future.”
The competition was a spirited affair, with “Team Mitzvot” and “Team Torah” vying closely throughout. It was Team Torah that ultimately triumphed in the gameshow-style competition. The international champions were celebrated on stage, each receiving a special plaque in recognition of their achievements.
With some 50,000 people watching online and thousands of fans, family and friends in the stands, the energy was palpable. Hundreds of remote watch parties in the hometowns of finalists brought communities together, cheering on their young representatives.
Catered towards children in public schools without formal Jewish education and participants in Chabad Hebrew-school programming worldwide, JewQ aims to address the growing issue of antisemitism by fostering pride in Jewish identity through knowledge. This year, 4,000 children from 250 communities across 25 countries engaged in the competition, studying Jewish tradition and culture for four months.
The awards ceremony, led by Kotlarsky, crowned the Ultimate JewQ Champions across various grade levels. Among the winners were Daniel Marquez from Mississauga-Oakville, Canada; Naomi Cohen from Great Neck, N.Y.; Yael Jontof-Hutter from Tri-Valley, Calif.; Isabella Gupta from Newbury Park, Calif.; and Stella Tolin from Potomac, Md.
JewQ, an initiative of CKids—Chabad’s Children’s Network—aims to fortify Jewish youth by deepening their understanding and pride in their heritage. Through its gamified educational model and international platform, JewQ continues to empower Jewish children, equipping them to navigate an ever-changing world with steadfast faith and resilience.
