11 months ago

French Chidon Draws 1,400 Children from Across France

Photos: David Karsenty

For the ninth consecutive year, Tsivos Hachem France organized the Chidon HaRambam for all Jewish schools in France. Over 1,400 children from 60 Jewish schools in France took part in the project • Full Story, Photos, Video

For the ninth consecutive year, Tsivos Hachem France organized the Chidon HaRambam for all Jewish schools in France.

Throughout the year, kids were able to study the Rambam’s Sefer Hamitzvos in depth, using a book specially published for the occasion, in order to unite around the study that the Rebbe established.

This year, over 1,400 children from 60 Jewish schools in France took part in the project. The kids had four major exams throughout the year to test their knowledge.

On Sunday, May 21, 2023, 1 Sivan 5783, the prize-giving party for the winners of the competition took place at the Casino de Paris.

More than 1,500 children and their parents from all over France took part in the event, which included a beautiful prize-giving ceremony, a memorable Kinus and an exceptional concert by the singer Simcha Friedman, who came specially from Israel for the occasion, accompanied by Yossef Brami and his orchestra.

The event also included an innovative quiz called “Genius of Mitzvot”. The kids proved an impressive knowledge of the subjects.

Several Rabbanim, school principals and educational leaders honored the ‘Hidone party with their presence, including Rabbi Michel Gugenheim – Chief Rabbi of Paris, Rav Levi Yitz’hak Kahn – Va’ad Rabanaei Lubavitch France, Mr. Patrick Petit-Ohayon – FSJU’s Director, and many more.

The event was broadcast live on the Tsivot Hashem website to over 1,500 homes! Live broadcasts were also made to provincial schools that were not able to attend physically to the event.

Each of the 1,400 Chidon contestants received a gift in recognition of their efforts. The best students received the Chidon “Prestige Box” with numerous gifts, including the exclusive “Chidon Sweater”.

Mazal Tov to the winners of the inter-school competition:

Gold trophy: Ari Afriat – Heikhal Menahem Paris, who won a flight ticket to New York, to visit the Rebbe.

Silver trophies: Anna Bensoussan – Yabné, Paris and Neoraye Gamrasni – AJJ, Paris, who won a Shabbat candlestick and a silver Kiddush cup.

Bronze trophy: Moche Leib Sebag – Cheder, Paris, who won a magnificent set of books.

In addition, a draw among the finalists resulted in an extra flight ticket to the Rebbe. The winner was Reouven Stioui from the Sinai School in Paris.

The images below list the winners from each school.

This great competition would not have been possible without the involvement of the principals, the teachers, the Tsivot-Hachem leaders in each school and, of course, the parents, who tirelessly encouraged their children to achieve this extraordinary result. A huge Chazak to all!