“I Now Feel a Personal Connection to the Frierdiker Rebbe”

From the Anash.org Inbox: “As a Lubavitcher girl, I always considered myself pretty well versed in Chassidus. But the amount I learned during the Batsheva Institute Highschool Chidon blew me away!”

By Mili Rosenbluh – first place winner of the 5781 Highschool Chidon

When I first heard about the Highschool Chidon, I thought it would add a nice touch to my school year. I would learn some interesting ideas, and fill up my evenings as well. I was in for a surprise. Over the course of 5 months, I spent hours upon hours learning and reviewing the entire Sefer Hamaamarim Yiddish.

As a Lubavitcher girl, I always considered myself pretty well versed in Chassidus. But the amount I learned blew me away! And everything I learned is so incredibly applicable. Sitting in Tanya, Maamer, or even Chumash class, terms I learnt just keep on popping up! It’s an incredible feeling to feel like you took chassidus as your own. To know that I can pick up a Maamer, learn and understand it, is probably what I gained most from doing Chidon. And I do not think it is something I will ever forget.

I am so thankful for the Batsheva learning center, for giving me this amazing opportunity, and to my school – LGHS Chicago – for helping me utilize it.

While competing in the live game show, it felt so good to see all my family and friends cheering me on on their computers. It definitely gave me the much needed extra push to do well and succeed. A huge thank you to them for always having my back, and encouraging me to continue and never give up. The feeling I had when I had won, my friends rushing over from the dorms to the school building and celebrating with me – It’s a feeling I will never forget.

I can without a doubt say I have gained more than I ever thought I would. I now feel a personal connection to the Frierdiker Rebbe, something that was definitely lacking before. I now know a lot more, and enjoy learning a lot more! I am so grateful I had this opportunity, and can’t wait to join Chidon next year!