Winners from regional JewQ competitions from around the U.S. and abroad came together to face off at the international championships in Princeton, NJ, last weekend. Spencer Harvey of Dix Hills, representing The Chai Center Hebrew School in Dix Hills took home a gold medal in the fourth grade category at the International JewQ Championships.
Throughout the fall, more than 6,000 JewQ students in grades 3-7 from Hebrew schools around the globe learned and were tested on a wide range of Jewish knowledge, such as basic prayers, blessings, Jewish holidays, Torah traditions, and more. Following a regional competition, Spencer was among 150 winners who moved on to the final round of competition. Spencer goes to Ostego Elementary School in Dix Hills, NY, in the Half Hollow Hills Central School District.
“It is incredible to see the vast amount of knowledge Spencer and all the children learned in a few short months,” said Rabbi Dovid Weinbaum, Youth Director of The Chai Center. “My hope is this will inspire them to want to learn more about Judaism and the world around them.”
Rabbi Dovid Weinbaum. Photo courtesy of The Chai Center
Rabbi Dovid Weinbaum, Director of the Chai Center Noskin Hebrew School in Dix Hills, was named Educator of the Year by Ckids, a leading programmer of Jewish education. Rabbi Weinbuam earned the honor for his stellar leadership navigating a seamless transition to online learning during Covid-19. He pioneered an entirely new structure, and directed and produced creative and engaging classes and curriculums, ensuring children around the country were able to not only continue their Jewish education during unprecedented times, but also thoroughly enjoy the experience.
As Director of The Chai Center Noskin Hebrew School, Rabbi Weinbaum is launching a new immersive and transformative Hebrew school curriculum this year called Israel Quest. According to Rabbi Weinbaum, “The program will explore the history of the people of Israel, with lessons tailored to a child’s grade level, enabling them to discover the history and secrets of our homeland through an unforgettable Hebrew school experience.”
Using educational tools, such as virtual reality, topography, theater, filmmaking, STEAM activities and more, students will relive the journey of the Jewish People in the Land of Israel, from the time the Jews entered the land led by prophets and kings, until the untimely destruction of the Holy Temples.
“By incorporating the latest technology, hands-on activities, and inspired and inventive programs, we are creating an environment where children embrace coming to Hebrew school and are eager to learn and participate,” said Rabbi Weinbaum.
Registration for The Chai Center Noskin Hebrew School is now open. For more information and to register go to www.DixHillsHebrewSchool.com or call 631-351-8672.
From left, Tamar Cohen, Leah Ada Klein, Julia Berger and Max Kaylakov with their trophies at the award ceremony. Photo from The Chai Center
Winners from regional JewQ Championships from around the United States and abroad came together to face off at the international championships in Brooklyn on March 3.
Thousands of JewQ students in grades 3 to 6 from Hebrew schools around the globe learned and were tested on a wide range of Jewish knowledge, such as basic prayers, blessings, Jewish holidays, Torah traditions and more.
Students with the top scores were invited to spend a Shabbat together in Crown Heights and compete in the final round of JewQ in front of a live audience.
Dix Hills resident Max Kaylakov of The Chai Center Hebrew School was crowned the Sixth-Grade international JewQ champ. Max is a student at Candlewood Middle School in the Half Hollow Hills Central School District.
Other winners of the contest were Tamar Cohen representing the Chabad Hebrew School of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, in the third-grade division; Leah Ada Klein representing Chabad of Niagara Falls, Ontario, in the fourth-grade division; and Julia Berger from the Chabad of Port Washington Hebrew School in Port Washington, in the fifth-grade division.
“It is incredible to see the vast amount of knowledge Max and all the children learned in a few short months,” said Rabbi Dovid Weinbaum, youth director of The Chai Center. “My hope is this will inspire them to want to learn more about Judaism and the world around them.”
Front row, from left, Leg. Susan Berland, Mikayla Shapiro, Beth Goldberg, Noah Rosenzweig, Councilwoman Jacqueline Gordon and Carol Nuzzi; back row, from left, Elijah Morrison, Justin Winawer, Sarah Strent and Justin Mintz. Photo by Shahron Sharifian
Last week seven Long Island teens were honored at the Annual CTeen West Suffolk Dinner at The Chai Center in Dix Hills, for their work and dedication to this vital youth community service organization.
Sarah Strent of Commack received the Leadership Award, Mikayla Shapiro of Commack and Justin Mintz of Plainview received the Rookies of the Year Awards, Noah Rosenzweig of East Northport and Justin Winawer of Plainview received the Chesed (Kindness) Awards, Beth Goldberg of West Babylon received the Dedication Award and Elijah Morrison of Melville was named Teen of the Year. The hosts for the evening were CTeen West Suffolk teen leaders, Carly Tamer and Hannah Sharifian, both of East Northport.
Beth Goldberg and Councilwoman Jacqueline Gordon. Photo by Photo by Shahron Sharifian
Town of Huntington Supervisor Chad Lupinacci, Suffolk County Legislator Susan Berland, Carol Nuzzi representing Sen. John Flanagan and Councilwoman Jacqueline Gordon of the Town of Babylon all attended to personally congratulate the teens. Warm greetings and certificates were also sent from Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Sen. Chuck Schumer.
Among this year’s activities, CTeen West Suffolk teens cooked for needy families, held a toy drive, packed holiday gifts for ill children, enjoyed a paint night with seniors at an assisted living facility, listened to the life stories of Holocaust survivors and attended three major conventions — a regional, national and international Shabbaton, where they represented Long Island.
“It was an inspiring and moving night,” commented Rabbi Dovid Weinbaum, the director of CTeen West Suffolk, which is based at The Chai Center. However, he explained, this is just the beginning. “We need to reach every Jewish teen and let them know they have a home at CTeen West Suffolk.”
Sarah Strent, who was named the Leader of the Year, told the crowd, “One very significant message I took away from this year of CTeen is that everyone is a leader. You don’t need a title or a sweatshirt to prove that. I firmly believe every single one of you is capable of achieving anything you set out to do.”
With over 200 chapters globally and tens of thousands of members, CTeen, the fastest growing Jewish teen network in the world, inspires and facilitates teens who want to give back to their community and environment, with an emphasis on positive character development. The CTeen Network believes in the power of youth and transforming the teen years into a time of purpose and self-discovery. The goal is to turn youth into leaders. Under the direction of Rabbi Dovid Weinbaum of The Chai Center, the CTeen West Suffolk chapter has tripled in size to more than 60 members since its launch just four years ago.
Members of CTeen of West Suffolk pose for a photo with Rabbi Dovid Weinbaum before donating toys. Photo from The Chai Center
GIVING BACK: Teens from The Chai Center’s CTeen chapter in Dix Hills (CTeen West Suffolk County) recently shopped for and purchased more than 50 new toys that were donated to families living in the United Veterans Beacon House facilities in Nassau and Suffolk counties. United Veterans Beacon House Inc. is a not-for-profit charitable organization with a mission to provide transitional and permanent housing to U.S. military veterans and men, women and women with children. The teens also baked cookies to be delivered with the toys.
With over 200 chapters globally and tens of thousands of members, CTeen, the fastest growing Jewish teen network in the world, inspires and facilitates teens who want to give back to their community and environment, with an emphasis on positive character development. The CTeen Dix Hills chapter has more than 40 members and is based at The Chai Center (501 Vanderbilt Parkway) and run by Rabbi Dovid Weinbaum.
“The Talmud says that each person is a whole world and therefore by helping one person you’re helping the whole world. We are immensely proud of the teens in our chapter who continually embrace this idea and have made it a priority to think beyond themselves and give back to their community and those in need,” said Rabbi Weinbaum. For more information, visit www.thechaicenter.com.
