115 finalists in the girls’ International Chidon Hamitzvot gathered in New York for an extended weekend of education, entertainment, and, of course, the final round of tests.

The Chidon is open to kids in grades four to eight. Contestants are quizzed, in a series of fun and fast-paced challenges, on many of the 613 mitzvahs, as well as their applications, biblical sources and other key details.

The weekend ended with a banquet, where the winners were announced. While they were given larger prizes, everyone received awards because they worked so hard and learned so much!

The boys’ Chidon will be held at noon on Sunday, June 7 and broadcast live right here:


Girls from around the United States and the world arrived in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y., last week for an extended weekend of education, entertainment and the final round of tests for the international Chidon Hamitzvot competition.
Girls from around the United States and the world arrived in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y., last week for an extended weekend of education, entertainment and the final round of tests for the international Chidon Hamitzvot competition.

Before the mental tests, the girls enjoy a little physical activity at the bowling alley.
Before the mental tests, the girls enjoy a little physical activity at the bowling alley.

A visit to the Ohel in Queens, N.Y.—the resting place of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory.
A visit to the Ohel in Queens, N.Y.—the resting place of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory.

Time for prayer before hitting their other books.
Time for prayer before hitting their other books.

Children are quizzed on Maimonides’ compendium of the Torah’s 613 commandments.
Children are quizzed on Maimonides’ compendium of the Torah’s 613 commandments.

The Chidon, celebrating its 20th year, is open to those in grades four to eight.
The Chidon, celebrating its 20th year, is open to those in grades four to eight.

Getting down to business; 115 female finalists participated in the program, but only the two top scorers from each grade in each school took the actual final exam. Rabbi Shimmy Weinbaum, program director at Tzivos Hashem, is monitoring in the back.
Getting down to business; 115 female finalists participated in the program, but only the two top scorers from each grade in each school took the actual final exam. Rabbi Shimmy Weinbaum, program director at Tzivos Hashem, is monitoring in the back.

On the schedule: some sightseeing on open-air tour buses in Manhattan.
On the schedule: some sightseeing on open-air tour buses in Manhattan.

Group activities took place as part of learning and socialization.
Group activities took place as part of learning and socialization.

An ice-cream break a few weeks before the official start of summer.
An ice-cream break a few weeks before the official start of summer.

More than 1,200 people gathered last Sunday at the George Wingate Auditorium to watch the competition. Divided into three groups named for three of Maimonides’ many works, the girls joined their teammates in fast-paced challenges that kept them—and the audience—on the edge of their seats.
More than 1,200 people gathered last Sunday at the George Wingate Auditorium to watch the competition. Divided into three groups named for three of Maimonides’ many works, the girls joined their teammates in fast-paced challenges that kept them—and the audience—on the edge of their seats.

The sign in Crown Heights welcoming attendees and guests of the Chidon. This year, 972 children in 34 cities—including Riga, Latvia; and Melbourne, Australia—participated in the program, with just the finalists coming to New York. All contestants walk away with a prize of some sort.
The sign in Crown Heights welcoming attendees and guests of the Chidon. This year, 972 children in 34 cities—including Riga, Latvia; and Melbourne, Australia—participated in the program, with just the finalists coming to New York. All contestants walk away with a prize of some sort.

Getting ready for the boys' competition, which will take place Sunday and be live-streamed on Chabad.org.
Getting ready for the boys' competition, which will take place Sunday and be live-streamed on Chabad.org.