Long Island Chabads compete in ‘Jewish Jeopardy'

More than 500 students 9 to 13 from 16 Long Island Chabads will test their knowledge of Jewish history, heritage and practice in the Long Island JewQ Championship on Feb. 2, Super Bowl Sunday.

Led by Chana Fishbein, a senior at Bais Rivkah High School in Crown Heights, and Lynbrook High freshman Benjamin Svartz, six contestants will represent the Chabad of the Five Towns: sisters Rachel Faynberg and Rebecca Faynberg, both of Hewlett; Matthew Ortega from Far Rockaway, Jacob Tenenboim from Woodsburgh, Jake Tucker of Hewlett, and Gabby Zaysev from Valley Stream.

Six students are also representing  the Chabad of Hewlett at the competition: Natalie Hefney (third grade), Rafela Agami (fourth grade), Asher Abit (fifth grade), Ramiel Jeacoma and Tammie Yedutsky (both sixth grade), and Jason Shapiro (seventh grade).

Al have learned a broad spectrum of Jewish knowledge using the JewQ curriculum used in Chabad Hebrew schools since 2018.

“A whole new world has been opened up to our children,” Rabbi Tuvia Teldon, Chabad of Long Island director, said in a news release about what is called “Jewish Jeopardy.” “[That] learning about our people and culture can be fun and enjoyable.”

Five Towns Chabad’s JewQ group gathers every Sunday and on Jan. 26, the students took a review test and noshed on orange juice and rugelach. If harnessing the innate enthusiasm and curiosity of young people was the goal, Chabad officials hit a home run with these kids. 

After watching an introductory video, Tenenbaum said he was “inspired to compete,” and plans on studying all week long. The 9 ½-year-old (he stressed the half) said he is having fun. “I like to study a lot, know more, learn stuff and who I really am on the inside.”

Rachel Faynberg, 13, said she thought it would interesting to learn more about Judaism. Like her peers, she uses flashcards and the review sheets to study. “I’ve learned more and that I’m more into Judaism.”

Tucker said he took part because he likes to learn about his religion. “I learned the prayers,” said the nearly 10-year-old.  “I really like learning new stuff, what religion I am and applying it to my life.”

Knowing more about her religious background also motivated Zaysev, 12, and in the process she learned more about Jewish ancestry and herself. “I’m actually very much into studying and learning new things,” she said. 

The sole veteran, having taken part last year, Rebecca Faynberg, 12, said she picked up a few memory tricks and had this sage advice for her peers: “They should try their best because it’s not about winning, it’s about learning.”

Deciding he would “give it a shot” Ortega, 11, said he studies the textbook up to 35 minutes per day and the review sheets nearly 20 minutes daily. “I go a step further than I usually do,” he said. “I learned what Jewish history was in the past and tradition.”

Fishbein and Svartz not much older than their charges feel a kinship with the kids and said they will cheering them on. “I love to see the kids connect to their real religion,” Fishbein said. “I’ll be sending a lot of texts to remind them to study, said Svartz, adding that being a part of this is “more like home than going to school.”

The Long Island JewQ Regional Championship takes places from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Chai Centre Dix Hills, 501 Vanderbilt Pkwy. in Dix Hills, on Feb. 2. The winner from each grade — third to seventh — advances to the finale at George Wingate High in Crown Heights on March 15.