This Sunday, February 9 at 10:00 AM, Chabad of Port Washington will host Long Island’s annual JewQ Championship, a vibrant quiz-style competition showcasing months of dedicated study in Jewish history, culture, and tradition in a high energy game show competition. Over 300 are expected to attend, cheering on the finalists representing 20 public schools across Long Island.
Students will tackle questions about Jewish holidays, customs, rituals, and values in a high-energy spelling bee-style competition. The young scholars have devoted countless after-school hours to study sessions, reflecting the program’s emphasis on cultivating both knowledge and confidence, and Jewish pride, through an uplifting, community-oriented experience.
Fifteen Long Island synagogues are participating, among them Chabad of Great Neck, Chabad of the East End, Lake Success Chabad, Chabad of Oceanside, Chabad of Brookville, Chabad House of Hewlett, and Chabad of the Beaches – Aleph Academy. Organized by CKids Long Island, part of the Chabad-Lubavitch educational network, JewQ engages Jewish students from diverse backgrounds through a structured curriculum and competitive tests that make learning both meaningful and enjoyable.
Media representatives will have the opportunity to capture the excitement of the competition, interview the finalists, and their proud parents, and engage local Jewish leadership on the significance of such an event in today’s climate.
“With so much going on in the world, a strong understanding of one’s heritage is a key way to raise confident, resilient children,” says Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky of Chabad World Headquarters. “When they truly connect with their roots, they stand on a firmer foundation and feel proud of who they are.
Event organizer Rabbi Zalman Baumgarten of Chabad Great Neck emphasized his admiration for the participant's efforts: “We are incredibly proud of how hard these children have worked. In today’s day and age, they’re shining examples for their peers, proving that hard work pays off.”
The winners of the Long Island JewQ Championship will advance to an international competition in March, representing the region against finalists from 250 cities in 25 countries worldwide.