24 | SEPTEMBER 21 • 2023 

OUR COMMUNITY

S

ix years ago, an important ques-
tion was asked. What if we could 
motivate kids to master Jewish 
knowledge? Dozens of focus groups, 
high-powered meetings and back-and-
forth phone calls later, JewQ was born. 
Since then, more than 4,000 kids have 
become experts in the fundamentals of 
Jewish life.
JewQ is an international Torah 
Championship that has taken the Hebrew 
school world by storm — and this year, 
Bais Chabad’s Hebrew School of the Arts 
is joining the program for the first time. 
“We want to get our students fired up 
about Judaism,” says Zeesy Silberberg, 
who is director of Hebrew School of the 
Arts. 
Students each receive a full-color Living 
Jewish textbook containing the core con-

tent of the JewQ program. “Fun review 
games and exciting incentives will get 
our students pumped to study and 
review in their free time,” she added.
All over the world, from West 
Bloomfield to Paris, France, thousands 
of Hebrew school students are becoming 
JewQ champions. Kids learn some of the 
information at Hebrew school, but a big 
part of the learning takes place at home. 
Why do kids get excited about doing 
more homework? Well, the motivation 
is there: Three qualifying tests separate 
contestants from champions — and 
the champions are the lucky ones 
that get cool prizes, a fun trip and the 
chance to join the JewQ International 
Championship in Stamford, Connecticut.
The top finalist from each location also 
gets the chance to compete onstage in a 

live game show performance that is one 
of the highlights of the JewQ experience.
“Judaism isn’t meant to stay in books; 
it’s meant to be lived,” says Rabbi Elya 
Silfen, who will be exclusively directing 
the JewQ division of the Hebrew School. 
“That’s why JewQ aims to help kids mas-
ter the knowledge they need to really live 
Jewishly.”
To sign up for Hebrew School of the 
Arts and have your child study, compete 
and participate in the international JewQ 
competition, visit www.baischabad.com/
hsa or contact Zeesy Silberberg. 

West Bloomfield shul’s Hebrew School of the 
Arts to participate in JewQ.

Bais Chabad Joins 
International Torah 
Championship 

LEFT: Last year’s 
championships. 
BELOW: A happy 
champion.

