The chatter in most Chabad schools is about the upcoming Chidon Sefer Hamitzvos. Who will be the lucky ones to represent their school at the Chidon Shabbaton? A select number of students are putting in countless hours and gaining an impressive amount of knowledge. But what about everybody else?
Initially, only those who were eligible advanced in the Chidon competition, leaving others uninvolved. Bnos Menachem is proud to have launched a new track “Mitzvah Maven”, where all students are able to fulfill the Rebbe’s directives of learning the Sefer Hamitzvos, on a satisfying level.
Developed by Mrs. Schaindy Schapiro, the principal of Bnos Menachem Hebrew Elementary, this new parallel learning track allows all 4th and 5th grade students to study the same topics elucidated in the Yahadus book. Every student knows about the mitzvos and is part of the excitement, thanks to the Mitzvah Maven curriculum, which includes study booklets on each subject matter.
After each segment, everyone takes their Mitzvah Maven tests at the same time as the Chidon tests and Boruch Hashem we have seen really beautiful results.
Parents have remarked that their daughters are scoring very well on the Mitzvah Maven track and this has encouraged them to learn independently to prepare for the Chidon, which is much more challenging. Most significantly however, this project is accomplishing the essential goal of learning Sefer Hamitzvos, and that is “Vechai Bohem”. Every student should feel how living with the mitzvos molds us into the true essence of what being a Yid is all about.
Bnos Menachem is looking forward to having many participants in the Chidon Sefer Hamitzvos Shabbaton and of course the Mitzvah Maven trip, which they will earn as a result of the many hours of effort invested in this unique and worthwhile program.
The noble goal of the Chidon was for children to learn all the mitzvos over the span of 5 yrs. It is a fantastic idea. However, the material (and tests) is not geared for a mainstream or average student beginning in 4th grade- let alone to be accomplished independently!! An argument can also be made regarding the different learning methods for girls and boys. This current curriculum appears to be designed for a boy’s learning style. Bnos Menachem is sensitive to the unfortunate impact this has had on numerous students. Many students had been discouraged by their parents to even… Read more »
the problem is called learned helplessness. there are many girls whose best is 50%. Whereas that is failing – hey wait a minute this is limudei kodesh. understanding 50% of Sefer ha mitzvos is awesome! there will be plenty of places kids should learn disappointment limudei kodesh shouldn’t be one of them.
I APPLAUD THIS!!! NOT EVERY CHILD CAN MANAGE TO LEARN FOR THE CHIDON AND THOSE WHO CANNOT SHOULD NOT BE MADE TO FEEL SECOND CLASS. GREAT MOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
its a great lesson to teach your kids
1. you can’t always have what you want
2.you might try hard for something and still not make it
3. life isn’t fair
a little dose of this goes a long way
What a beautiful chinuch and example Bnos menachem are giving the girls!!!
The rebbe is proud!
Because everyone is a winner!!!
What a wonderful school!
whoever said that chidon is for advanced girls only, that is not true, because I have kids who don’t do amazing at school studies, but have enjoyed the past three years of chidon sefer hamitzvos. soo your daughter can do it to!! don’t be hesitant to sign up!! u can see her proud face on the chidon screen next year
where does this chidon winners go!
The girls receive recognition for learning, even if they don’t score high enough to participate in the Chidon. A beautiful incentive to encourage everyone to learn the Sefer Hamitzvos.