HIGH SCHOOL

CHIDON

YOU CAN PICK UP A SEFER.

YOU CAN MASTER IT.

YOU CAN MAKE IT YOURS.

"What sticks out to me the most is not only the knowledge from learning the entire Sefer Hamaamarim in depth, not only the incredible self-motivation to learn just one more hour, one more maamar or one more ois, and not only the ability to open any maamar or sicha and learn it on my own.
When I first heard about Chidon, it seemed impossible for me to be able to learn on my own. I learned that if I really want to do something, I can do it."

"I cannot describe the rush of excitement when I finished the last maamar. It was like earning something you can never buy with any money in the world.

Chidon has definitely impacted my life not only in learning but in believing in myself that I can reach any goal, fulfill any dream and make any vision I have a reality."

Miriam Mariasha Liberow

"Chidon not only changed the way I view Rambam. More importantly, it changed the way I view learning in general. Chidon empowered me and showed me that I can sit down after school, take a sefer off the shelf and learn it."

Chana Silberberg

CHIDON 5784

Challenge yourself to master the Sefer Hama’amarim Yiddish of the Freidiker Rebbe.

Connect with dozens of high school girls around the world with the same goal.

Leave with the confidence and the skills to open any sefer on your own.

14 schools from

10 cities.

53 maamarim mastered.

1 grand

championship.

Registration Deadline:
27 Tishrei / October 12

Learning Goal

Our goal for this year’s Chidon is to master the Sefer Hama’amarim Yiddish. This sefer is a compilation of Ma’amarim given by the Previous Rebbe during the years 1941 - 1945, to a relatively uneducated American audience. It explores the relevant concepts of Teshuva, Mesiras Nefesh, and how to strengthen our observance of Torah and Mitzvos. Additionally, this sefer explains many foundational chassidic ideas in a unique step-by-step, clear manner.

The sefer is available in Yiddish and Hebrew and can be purchased at most Judaica stores.

Here is a link to buy the sefer online (Yiddish).

Here is a link to a PDF of the sefer (Hebrew).

Here and here are links to an English translation that you can use for reference while studying.

(The Hebrew sefer will be available at Kehot within the next couple of weeks. It will be linked here when available.)

Here is the Study Guide.

Tests

Every four weeks there will be an accumulative test on one section of maamarim.

They will be available on our online testing site to be taken on your own time. A few days before the first test, you will receive a user ID and login password for the testing website. You will use the same username and password for every test.

Each test will be available for 24 hours from 8:00 PM (EST) Motzei Shabbos until 8 PM (EST) Sunday night.* Once you begin taking the test, you will have exactly one hour to complete it.

There will be 20 multiple choice questions on each test. The questions will be written in English, but will test your knowledge of the original Hebrew words of the sefer and will contain phrases from the original text. The questions will be in order.

Since the goal of the Chidon is to sharpen your skills for learning inside, you may use the Hebrew or Yiddish sefer on the test. You may not have any writing in the sefer you use on the test. However, you may underline words or phrases.

Please double check your answers after finishing the test to make sure they are correct- sometimes your answers may shift by accident while scrolling. Be careful, because if a mistake like this does happen, you will not receive points back.

After sending in your test , you will be able to see your grade, but not which questions you got right or wrong. The grade you see on the screen is final and will not be changed.

Click here to access the testing website. For each of the 5 tests, use the username and password that was emailed to you before the first test.

Rescheduling Tests:

The only instances where a later test date is an option are if you have an overlapping school program or extenuating circumstances. If this occurs, you must email chidon@batshevalearningcenter.com by the Wednesday before the test.

No exceptions will be made.

Weekly Study Sessions

Every school has an assigned mentor who is your go-to person for any assistance you may need with studying for the Chidon. Your mentor is the teacher/bnos head who introduced the Chidon to your school.

Once you register for the Chidon, she will contact you about a weekly chavrusa session that will be available at your school.

Your mentor will be present at your school’s weekly study sessions to guide you and help with any questions you may have.

Here is the Study Guide.

The Retreat

All participants with an average grade of 65% and above will be eligible to join a beautiful Shabbaton retreat for a $250 fee or by fundraising $500. (The top ten finalists are invited to come for free.)

The retreat will be an opportunity to reflect on your Chidon experience, bond with like-minded friends and celebrate your incredible accomplishment. The program will include reflection workshops, bonding activities and engaging in-depth learning classes—a small taste of what Batsheva Learning Center offers!

The retreat will take place at a venue in upstate New York. Transportation from and to Crown heights will be provided. Busses will leave Crown Heights Friday morning and return Sunday afternoon, in time for the Chidon competition.
Participants from out of town will be responsible for their own travel and accommodations to and from New York prior to the retreat.

Any who receives an average of 65% or above is eligible to receive a plaque, regardless of whether she is attending the Shabbaton. The plaques can be picked up at the Gameshow on Sunday evening.

Pick-up or shipping is not available after the event.

Grand Championship

On Sunday evening, there will be a grand Chidon competition between the top ten finalists from all the participating high schools. If applicable, a Zoom option will be offered for international students who qualify to compete in the championship.

All Chidon participants, family and friends in the New York area are invited to watch the competition. There will be an option to watch the event virtually as well.

Contestants will be asked questions to assess their mastery of the entire sefer, which they will answer orally. They will be allowed to bring their sefer on stage. The event will conclude with awarding gold, silver and bronze medals to the top three winners.

Stay in touch

When you sign up you will have the option to join a whatsapp group with the other girls who are participating. The whatsapp group is not a place for official notifications, rather it is a social network to ask friends questions and get to know the other girls who are learning the same material as you. You will be informed of all official updates via email.

If you have questions that your mentor is unable to help with, you may contact chidon@batshevalearningcenter.com

For questions specifically about the study guide or about content on the tests, you may contact dsilberstein@batshevalearningcenter.com

Registration

All students in 10th, 11th and 12th grade are invited to register for this year’s Chidon.

There is a $50 registration fee. A few days before the first test, you will receive a user ID and login password for the testing website.
(If a week after 1st test, 24 Kislev/November 28 you can no longer participate you can receive a 50% refund for your registration fee.)

Registration Deadline: 27 Tishrei / October 12

ALL THE DATES

Dates to look forward to!
Block off the following dates on your calendar.

Please note that there will be no make-up tests allowed.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

27 Tishrei / October 12

TEST 1

מאמרים תש"א

7 Cheshvan / October 22

TEST 2

מאמרים תש"ב

6 Kislev / November 19

TEST 3

מאמרים תש"ג

5 Teves / December 17

TEST 4

מאמרים תש"ד

4 Shevat / January 14

TEST 5

מאמרים תש"ה

2 Adar Aleph / February 11

CHIDON RETREAT

19 Adar Beis - 21 Adar Beis

March 29 - March 31

Friday Morning - Sunday night

Ok, I need all the info."

Every four weeks there will be an accumulative test on one topic of halachos. They will be available on our online testing site (www.classmarker.com) to be taken on your own time. A few days before the first test, you will receive a user ID and login password for the testing website. You will use the same username and password for every test. Each test will be available for 24 hours from 8:00 pm (EST) Motzei Shabbos until 8:00 pm (EST) Sunday night. Once you begin taking the test, you will have exactly one hour to complete it.
Who should I study with?

Every school has an assigned mentor who is your go-to person for any assistance you may need with studying for the Chidon. Your mentor is the teacher/bnos head who introduced the Chidon to your school. Once you register for the Chidon, she will contact you about a weekly study session that will be available at your school. Your mentor will be present at your school’s weekly study sessions to guide you and help with any questions you may have.
How can I chat with fellow Chidoners?

When you sign up you will have the option to join a whatsapp group with the other girls from around the world who are participating. The whatsapp group is not a place for official notifications, rather it is a social network to ask friends questions and get to know the other girls who are learning the same material as you. You will be informed of all official updates via email.
Sounds awesome, but how do I study?"

When studying for the chidon, make sure that you can: Read and understand the מאמר in the original Hebrew/Yiddish text. The test will be open Sefer, so you do not need to memorize every detail. However, the test will be timed, so you will need to be familiar enough with the text to know where and how to find the answers you need, quickly. Explain the ma’amar in your own words. You will be expected to have a thorough understanding of the conceptual flow of the ma’amar. Recognize the Chassidic concepts and terminology discussed in the ma’amar. You should be able to explain the concept/term itself, and understand why that particular concept/term was brought in the ma’amar. Recognize the מאמרי חז”ל/פסוקים brought in the מאמר. You should be able to translate the מאמר חז”ל/פסוק, and explain why that particular מאמר חז”ל/פסוק was brought in the מאמר. The tests are meant to challenge you and push you to learn the מאמרים thoroughly, but they are not there to frustrate or trick you. The value of the chidon is the hours and effort you invest in your learning, not how high your average is. As mentioned, all girls with a 65% average or above are able to join chidon events.
What will the tests look like?

There will be 20 multiple choice questions on each test. The questions will be written in English, but will test your knowledge of the original Hebrew words of the sefer and will contain phrases from the original text. The questions will NOT necessarily be in order of the מאמרים. Since the goal of the Chidon is to sharpen your skills for learning inside, you may use the Hebrew sefer on the test. You may not have any writing in the sefer you use on the test. However, you may underline words or phrases.
Am I ready to send in my test?

Please double check your answers after finishing the test to make sure they are correct- sometimes your answers may shift by accident while scrolling. Be careful, because if a mistake like this does happen, you will not receive points back. After you finish the test, you will be able to see your grade, but not which questions you got right or wrong. The grade you see on the screen is final and will not be changed.
I need all the deets on the events.

After each of the four tests, there will be a virtual mini-event. Any girl who maintains a passing average [65% or above] will be allowed to come to the event. Girls with the top ten grades will compete in the final chidon competition. Anyone with a passing grade can join the final chidon event.
I can’t wait! What should I do if I have more questions?

If you have questions that your mentor is unable to help with, you may contact: chidon@batshevalearningcenter.com