One thing is crystal clear from the recent JewQ international Jewish knowledge competition: young Baltimoreans Avi Jacobs and Avraham Zhu know their stuff when it comes to Yiddishkeit.
Avi, a third-grade homeschooled student, and Avraham, who is in the fourth grade at Summit Park Elementary School in Pikesville, won silver medals at JewQ, which was held Apr. 8 in Stamford, Connecticut.
The competition — for students in third through fifth grades — focuses on Jewish traditions, history and values, serving as a platform for young Jews to connect with their religious and cultural identity.
More than 4,000 students from 25 countries – including Australia, France, Colombia, Ecuador and Argentina — competed in the sixth annual JewQ.
JewQ is a project of CKids, the Chabad Children’s Network at the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters in Crown Heights, New York.
This year’s JewQ focused primarily on Israel, featuring guest questions from such notable figures such as Israeli paratrooper unit commander Nerya Meir, Chani Klein, a Chabad emissary in the Israeli resort town of Eilat, and Israeli farmer Gershon Zinner.
“Avi and Avraham’s triumph demonstrates the vibrant future of Judaism,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, executive director of Merkos 302, an umbrella organization that provides support and services for the Chabad-Lubavitch global movement. “It’s a clear message that even in the face of challenges, our traditions will persevere and flourish, led by the young future Jewish leaders like them.”
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