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 5785

Challenge yourself to master Kuntres Umaayan, a series of maamarim from the Rebbe Rashab.

Connect with hundreds 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.

SCHOOLS GLOBALLY

280+

PARTICIPANTS

GRAND

CHAMPIONSHIP

REGISTRATION DEADLINE
28 TISHREI - OCTOBER 20

Learning Goal

This year, we will be learning Kuntres Umaayan, a series of 28 interconnected maamarim written by the Rebbe Rashab in the year 5663 (1902–1903). These maamarim were composed during a time when the Rebbe Rashab was responding to the growing influence of secular ideologies, particularly those of the Haskalah movement, among Russian Jewry.

The central themes of this sefer are the foolishness of sin, the loftiness of the neshamah, and its innate ability to overcome all obstacles.

We strongly recommend buying a physical sefer. The paperback copy is $9.95.

Here is a link to buy the sefer.

Here is a link to buy the sefer with English translation. (This sefer cannot be used in the test.)

Here is a PDF of the sefer with an English translation that you can use for reference while studying. (This cannot be used in the test.)

Here is a PDF of the sefer with just Hebrew text. (You may use a printed copy during the tests. You may not use any computer shortcuts to locate phrases or words in the maamarim.)

The Study Guide is available here.

Tests

Every four weeks, there will be an accumulative test on one topic of halachos. There are five tests in total.

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 you were given before the first test.

*Rescheduling Tests:

See our Late Test Policy here. To reschedule a test, you must email chidon@batshevalearningcenter.com by the Sunday 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 $350 fee or by fundraising $700 through our annual fundraiser. (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. Buses will leave Crown Heights on Friday morning and return Sunday afternoon, in time for the Chidon championship.
Participants from out of town will be responsible for their own travel and accommodations to and from Crown Heights prior to the retreat.

Any student 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.

SHABBATON REGISTRATION

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 $60 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 the 1st test (4 Cheshvan/October 26), you can no longer participate, you can receive a 50% refund for your registration fee. You must email chidon@batshevalearningcenter.com by November 2 to receive your refund.)

Registration Deadline: 28 Tishrei/October 20

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

28 Tishrei/October 20

Test 1:

4 Cheshvan
October 26

Test 2:

3 Kislev
October 26

Test 3:

1 Tevet
December 21

Test 2:

29 Tevet
January 18

Test 5:

28 Shvat
February 15

SHABBATON

PARSHAS KI SISA

Adar 17-19

March 6-8

CHAMPIONSHIP &

AWARD CEREMONY

Adar 19

March 8

How does testing work?

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.
How many tests are there?

There are five tests. The tests are accumulative.
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 sefer. 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.
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.
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.
What should I do if I know I won’t be able to make it to the test?

If there is an unusual situation, you can email chidon@batshevalearningcenter.com and ask for permission to reschedule. You must email us at least one week before the scheduled test date. You can read more about our late policy here.
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.
Tell me more about the Shabbaton!

After all five tests, there will be a Shabbaton retreat. Any girl who maintains a passing average [65% or above] will be eligible to join for a $350 fee or by fundraising $700. (The top ten finalists are invited to come for free.) Girls with the top ten grades will compete in the final chidon competition!
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