Young Shluchim Enjoy Chidon Retreat in New York

With Tzitzis flying in the wind and fists closed tightly on their Mishnayos Baal Peh cards, nearly 100 Yaldei Hashluchim whizzed around the Port Washington Ice Skating Rink, as part of the MyShliach Chidon retreat.

With Tzitzis flying in the wind and fists closed tightly on their Mishnayos Baal Peh cards, nearly 100 Yaldei Hashluchim whizzed around the Port Washington Ice Skating Rink. As part of the MyShliach Chidon retreat, they were rewarded for their immense efforts in studying Sefer Hamitzvos in detail from their Chabad houses as far as Guatemala and Brazil. 

The bustling two-day retreat featured activities including arts and crafts, arcades, zip lining, and, of course, learning Mishnayos Baal Peh on the go and an Ohel visit. With over 550 Yaldei Hashluchim participating in the Chidon program throughout the year, those who passed all the tests earned the opportunity to attend the trip free of charge.

Following the MyShliach Chidon girls’ trip last week, this Wednesday and Thursday were the boys’ chance for a treat. The 2-day program features trips just for the MyShliach group as well as joining the wider Chidon program for the gameshow and prize ceremony. Coming soon after Pesach, the European contingency will have a retreat of their own in Paris.

“Learning Torah with such dedication from a young age deserves to be celebrated,” says Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302. “We hope the time spent with their peers and comprehensive knowledge gained through the program empowers the young Shluchim to continue their unique Shlichusin with success and joy.”

Participants study the Rambams’ Sefer Hamitzvos in-depth, using child-friendly textbooks throughout the year. As part of their holistic programming model, MyShliach offers weekly Zoom classes covering the syllabus, which were attended by half of the participants. Others opted for independent study, but all the Yaldei Hashluchim invested hours of their personal time into studying Torah.

The retreat culminates with a banquet at The Rubashkin’s home, highlighting the achievements of the Yaldei Hashluchim throughout their studies as well as rewarding those who learned Mishnayos Baal Peh over the retreat. At the event MyShliach celebrated the 13 mini-trophy winners and gold trophy winner Shlomo Rivkin from Hillsborough, Oregon in the Chidon International Championship.

Directed and Organized by Rabbi Dudi Ashkenazi and his team of counselors, the trip built upon the success of previous years, ensuring participants leave with more motivation to continue their studies and stay in touch with other members of the Yaldei Hashluchim community. While the Chidon program comes to an end for the year, countless other MyShliach programs are still available to participate in from even the most remote Makom Hashlichus.

“The retreat ensures the community of young Shluchim don’t feel left out,” says Rabbi Mendy Shanowitz, Director of MyShliach at Merkos 302. “For Yaldei Hashluchim, there are limited opportunities to meet with their peers, so the retreat fills an important role in their sense of community.”

The MyShliach Chidon Boys Retreat was made possible by:
Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Vice Chairman of Merkos and Chairman of MyShliach.
Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302 
Rabbi Mendy Shanowitz, Director of MyShliach at Merkos 302 
Rabbi Moishy Schapiro, MyShliach Chidon Coordinator
Dudi Ashkenazi , Chidon trip coordinator
Zalmy Weingarten, Trip organizer 
Head Counselors: Mendel Spritzer, Berel Meihil