Amid Challenges, Global Jewish Families Gather at the Ohel to Draw Inspiration, Marking the Start of Uplifting Weekend
They came in red-and-blue CKids sweatshirts. They came with mitzvah flashcards. They came with prayer notes folded tightly in their hands.
This morning, more than 1,000 kids and parents from 26 countries stood shoulder to shoulder at the Ohel, marking the official start of the CKids International Shabbaton, the largest summit of Hebrew School families. For many, the quiet moment of reflection packed more emotion than anything waiting for them later this weekend.
For Saúl and Ana from Bogotá, Colombia, it was their first time at the Ohel—and it hit home. “To get to visit for the first time was a truly emotional experience,” they said. “We’re so proud to give our child this amazing JewQ experience. It’s a fun and meaningful way to strengthen their Jewish identity, connect with friends, and celebrate their heritage. Seeing them learn and grow in their faith makes this weekend so special for our family—especially when we belong to a community that is shrinking in size.”
Their daughter, Ilana, a third grader, is one of two JewQ finalists representing Colombia. “This weekend is super special for me because it’s a space to learn more about our religion and strengthen my Jewish identity,” she said. “I also get to have fun, make new friends, and celebrate Shabbat together.”
The JewQ competition, created by CKids International—the world’s largest Jewish children’s network—challenges children to master foundational Jewish knowledge through months of study, often outside school hours. Many of the participants attend public school and are the only Jewish children in their class. For them, the Shabbaton is not just a celebration—it’s a reminder that they’re part of something global and growing.
“This is our fourth year,” said Francine Venit from Chabad of Delaware, attending with her daughter Yacova. “This is a chance for me to watch the fruits of my efforts as a parent grow, and also to watch my daughter cultivate her own growth. She brought JewQ to Delaware and is very proud of her own accomplishments and those of her friends in our Chabad as well.”
Venit added, “Connecting with other Jewish people beyond my neighborhood is critical. To know there are others like me beyond my town is so important.”
The visit marks the start of a weekend rooted in the Rebbe’s vision for Jewish education—specifically, his belief in the power of immersive weekends to uplift Jews who may feel isolated in their Jewish practice. The Rebbe’s approach to children was revolutionary: he saw them not just as future leaders, but as present-day educators. JewQ’s gamified learning model echoes the Rebbe’s belief that a child’s competitive drive could be channeled for positivity, Torah and mitzvos, with every child becoming a teacher and source of inspiration in their own community.
“For many families, this visit to the Ohel is the emotional center of the weekend,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Chairman of CKids International. “They come here to pray for strength—for their children, for Israel, for the world. The Rebbe gave us the clarity to believe in every child, and the responsibility to invest in their education, wherever they are.”
Before heading to the Ohel, families gathered for an inspirational program, where they heard reflections from a fellow CKids parent, as well as Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky of Chabad Headquarters and Rabbi Sholom Moshe Paltiel of Chabad of Port Washington.
“Why do nearly a million people visit the Ohel every year?” asked Rabbi Paltiel. “From celebrities to politicians, great rabbis to people discovering their Jewish identity for the first time—the Ohel is for everyone.”
For Francine, the words struck a chord. “Today was the first time I heard that you can ask for the impossible,” she said. “It was very profound. It might be impossible for us, but not for Hashem—He’s infinite. Just ask. And today I did.”
The rest of the weekend includes Shabbat meals, workshops for parents, fun outings, and spirited Havdalah and concerts. On Sunday, the JewQ championship will be broadcast live to thousands around the world, with finalists competing for the top spots out of over 4,000 students globally.
But for many, what will stay with them won’t be the scorecards or the trophies. It will be that quiet moment at the Ohel—surrounded by families from cities as far apart as Cali and Copenhagen—all asking the same question in different languages: How do we raise proud, connected Jewish children in today’s world?
And in that moment, at the very start of a packed and powerful weekend, they were reminded: they’re not doing it alone.
The JewQ International Championship airs live Sunday, March 30 at 12:00 PM ET at Chabad.org/JewQ.
Photos: Itzik Roitman/Sholem Srugo/Merkos 302
