By a Menahel
Response to “Priceless Chidon Became a Pricey Experience”: Please read (not skim) until the end before you judge it!
In response to “Priceless Chidon Became a Pricey Experience,” the writer makes some very valid and strong points. It’s rare that a post on a website gets so many agreeing comments. As a parent of four children who have done Chidon (and iy”h more who will), it resonated with me as well.
Let’s try, however, to focus on our circle of influence and help make things better.
To the Parents upset about the pricing – which can put a taint on the entire picture of the Chidon:
I come to this as a parent and educator. As a Menahel of a Mosad Chinuch for twenty-plus years, I have heard from many colleagues who are in Mesivta age Chinuch, who have the vantage point of seeing many of the Talmidim graduating from the Chadorim / elementary schools and entering Mesivta. It is clear to many the difference between the Talmidim who were entering pre-Chidon and other Tzivos Hashem programs and those are entering in the Chidon era. The partnership of Tzivos Hashem and the elementary schools spawned by Rabbi Shimmy Weinbaum and the Menahalim of Chadorim has ushered in a new era in the Chassidishe Chinuch of our children.
As a result of this partnership, more Talmidim graduating elementary schools and entering Mesivtas are (to name a few):
– saying the entire Tehilim on Shabbos Mevorchim
– learning Chitas and Rambam
– able to watch a full Sicha or two, and in some cases an entire Farbrengen of the Rebbe (way better than we did in person by the actual rallies)
– know more about ימי חב”ד and have a Chassidishe חיות in them
– have a vast knowledge in areas of Mitzvos in Torah that often their parents who are Mechanchim don’t have
There are also Talmidim who don’t do well (even with tutoring) in their regular Limudim. But the competition really motivates them, and they feel that they can also compete in the arena of learning, often translating to real success for these Talmidim in school.
Parents who otherwise may not be learning with their children (and that includes parents who are not learning with their children because they cannot learn Gemorah or even Chumash sometimes) are now learning Torah with them. The Yahadus books are easy and a pleasure to learn from. Parents and children sitting at home learning Torah affects the entire home environment (see Hayom Yom of 4 Cheshvan). What greater nachas can there be than waking up at 5:30 or 6:00 AM to start the day and hearing your child reviewing הלכות of Rambam.
The price of $70 for registration + the book + $200 (I opted for the lowest amount) for the reward incentive is indeed a lot. (I too cringed when I paid $400 for two children and yes, in the same weeks that we had to pay over $1000 in camp registration fees – indeed very difficult to impossible). I also cringed about the possible wrong educational messages in the over-the-top incentives. However, if our child was struggling in school or with motivation, wouldn’t we spend that money on tutoring or any other help in a heartbeat? Even if we don’t have it. Think about how many hours our children spent learning alone without even a tutor – we would have paid 5 times that amount paying someone. Think about the amount of Torah knowledge they now have! Some Lubavitcher boys (and girls!) can now go toe to toe with some great Torah scholars in certain elements of !ידיעת התורה – something the Rebbe undoubtedly has great nachas from.
For parents of the boys who are “winging it”, scanning the material a few nights before, and managing to pull off a good enough grade to go on the trip – the majority of boys who are studying it this way will not retain most of what they have learned. As a parent, you are feeling ripped off. Take some time before you register your son, READ through all the information and the costs. Sit down with your child and agree with him beforehand, what it will take for you to pay for this – how much learning you expect him to do in order for you to pay for the trip if he passes. If you are not sure what you can expect from him, speak with his Menahel or his Cheder teacher. Hold your child accountable to what you made up with him, and then you can celebrate the success with him without feeling like you’re not getting your money’s worth. You will do it happily with much nachas, even though, yes, it’s expensive.
For those concerned that the learning of Chidon detracts from the Talmidim’s regular learning. We have not seen a difference in terms of students being weaker in learning or lacking in their skills of learning any more than before. There is no evidence to suggest that students are losing out in their regular Limudim as a result of the Chidon.
To the schools:
Perhaps more time should be spent guiding parents about Chidon and how they can decide if it is for their children. If the school feels it isn’t right for a student to do it, perhaps they should guide the parents in this as well. Likewise, something should be done to ‘up the bar’ so that Talmidim are not “winging it”. But be mindful not to ‘up the bar’ to a point where Chidon becomes a program forמצויינים only (then it will become a program for the Rich and מצויינים😊). That is one of the beauties of Chidon, that there are different tiers, and it therefore doesn’t only cater to the מצויינים. Chadorim MUST work more with Tzivos Hashem on a revamped incentive system that is: a) more educational, and b) more affordable. As of now both are not, and it’s not sustainable.
To Tzivos Hashem:
Yasher Koach for the absolutely amazing work you have been doing on so many levels these last years. There are so many individuals who give their heart and soul to the success and indispensable work you do for our children. You have taken Tzvios Hashem to a whole new level!!! Still it’s important to remember: like any program that becomes great and grows, often it can lose its touch and purpose. We always need to evaluate (which I am sure is being done) and make sure that the current program is aligning itself with its original goals. Thought should be given on how to align Chidon more in some way with the Rebbe’s תקנה of Rambam and Sefer Hamitzvos for children. The Chidon should be a stepping stone for strengthening the Rebbe’s תקנה of Limud haRambam.
Lastly, but surely no less important, the Rebbe has taught us that our generation of children are special. Through proper Chinuch these children do not need candies and sweets to want Hashem, (to understand this properly one needs to learn the the Sicha of לקו”ש חלק ט”ז, כ’ מרחשון). We need to have more faith and belief that our children – through the proper הדרכה and Chinuch – will want to learn for the Chidon without all the materialism that comes with it. We can surely reduce and even eliminate the major trips and over the top items.
Making a major “buzz” – certainly; even some special Chidon “merch” – that’s okay as well. But the main prizes at the end can be a Seforim for each student who receives the required grades, and /or a special Siyum of that Seder of Yahadus for each grade to be able to celebrate. We can teach them what a real שמחה לגמרה של תורה is and should look like. In conjunction with the Chadorim, a lot of thought needs to go into this.
And it can be accomplished, in a way that will be exciting and tasteful to today’s youth. It can be a Win-Win situation for everyone: Parents, Chadorim and Tzivos Hashem, and most importantly the Talmidim! I can imagine some parents will disagree with this last point and will say, we know our child and he is doing it primarily for the grand trip. The Sicha referenced above must be learned properly to understand this way of thinking, and that could be an article on its own. So please don’t discount the entire message. Also remember, any parent has the option of also incentivizing their children as they see fit if they feel their children need something more robust.
Keep up the great work and may we speedily come to the time as the Rambam concludes his ספר היד.
ומלאה הארץ דעה את ה’ כמים לים מכסים
…very one-sided. The entire program could be retained, nobody’s arguing that it’s all together a bad idea, but it is high time for there to be a little, teeny tiny bit of respect for parents with regards to the flood of prizes and super high trip price.
If the trip really costs more than twice what they charge, we’re talking about 600 for one day. That’s ridiculous.
you obviously did not read the entire post. The writer said just that….read it again and the entire post.
… you’re right, I did read it but glossed over the end a bit. Kudos to the author and my apologies for replying too fast.
Nobody said to cancel the chidon!
But they don’t have to turn it into a huge profit business!
No way a trip costa $600 when they have so many kids plus the huge amounts of sponsors.
They don’t buy their goods from the cheapest place but from family they want to support. And end up paying more.
They can cut their budget by 75 percent and still have a great program.
The trips are over the top. But i reached out to a school to see what the actual trip cost per child. $120!! besides all the extras. Most parents opt to pay the amount of $200. To accuse TH of profiting of this, is SO disheartening for the people working like crazy for OUR children. Such a lack of הכרת הטוב. Yes the price is to high. The writer suggest to eliminate the trips entirely. But to accuse them of profiting is to much…
I know first hand where they purchase their items from. And I know that they were offered the same items for a lot less but refused.
Don’t comment unless you know.
There are a lot of wasted spending at TH not just with the chidon but all over.
Dear Menahel,
You are right there is a big gain in knowledge here for the children who participate etc, but when YOU DON’T HAVE THE MONEY YOU JUST DON’T HAVE.What is one supposed to do? Beg? Borrow? Steal? Become a Charity case?
Read the ENTIRE post.
When you signed your kid up, chidon made it clear that it would cost , if the cost is way beyond your budget then don’t sign your kid up.
Chidon is built on incentives that the kids are lured in for. Plus immense peer pressure to join.
TH marketing of Chidon in their ralllies that kids have to watch in school, in weekly hachayil posters on school walls etc. etc.
As a parent of seven it’s very hard to keep your children from not joining and feel left out.
nobody is forcing you
No one is focusing anyone to do anything and yet everyone complains. Dont you do the same?!🙄
Really? I can really tell my 10 year old, sorry, Mommy is sick, she can’t work, so you can’t do Chidon. When all the other kids in her class are doing it. When there is already more than enough stress in the house as it is. Or should I tell her, just don’t pass the last test, because we can’t pay for the trip anyway?
On the other hand I saw a lot of learning, a lot of striving from my kids. They worked hard.
When there is a strong pressure – peer pressure, prices pressure etc.
Your comment seems misplaced. The real issue is the “Non-profit” schools and camps that are charging over the top? Why negate this one amazing program, while ignoring the real issue? How to expect parents to pay $20,000 per child for tuition??? Where are the hearts of these “directors”? Do they know the pain this is causing our generation? Do they know that they are causing a Mental Health Crisis in our community? The “Non-profit” institutions are causing damage for generations רחמנא ליצלן. And there is no one opening their mouth for fear of retribution… This must be addressed by all… Read more »
This is another important topic that needs to be discussed.
I applaud you for recognizing that there should be a change and there is no need for such over the top incentives. Lets take both parts of the sicha and create real change! Not just saying that its great our children are learning.
The general feeling from the comments of the original article, was not bashing TH and the incredible work they do…
The issue is the cost…
Keep up the good work, but get rid of the sweaters and swag, make a simple trip that costs under $50 and you can still have the whole excitement…
There’s no such thing as a trip that only costs 50$ nowadays. Just the food and the busses is 50$.
Use school busses. cheaper and keeps the money in the shchuna
Either lower big time the prices or take away the trip. In life you can’t have it all
Trip, game show and food is enough
I think the sweaters were very important to my kids. They didn’t expect to win a trip. But they wanted to have a sweater. In the end a weaker student who worked very hard won a trip. A more confident student didn’t, but she will have a sweater. Possibly the trip shouldn’t be so grand.
My child has a very hard time absorbing information, but at the same time is a very hard worker, and puts a lot of effort into learning. We the parents learned with our child for Chidon, every night, taught, learned, reviewed, and pushed, so our child can fulfill their goal. Our child made it just barely, by 1%, into the trip, and the happiness that our child had when the test results came back – made it all worthwhile. That’s why I am grateful. That it gave my child a goal, and a few months of learning. The $300 dollars… Read more »
There are multiple tracks. The highest track is for the vast majority of kids a challenge and they would need to work for it.
Much nachas from all your children’s.
And most kids dont to that trak cous the prize is almost the same, what sould happen is that the thecher of that child desids what track is mandotory for him based on his abilety (that it should’nt be esey but not way to hard) and the to be the same for each track
For exactly this sort of situation – there are 4 tracks and very few kids pass the highest track
Schools should be deciding which kids have to pass the IYUN track in order to qualify for the trip
So that every kid has to actually sweat abit in order to be rewarded
The way it is now, no one has to do iyun unless they want a trophy, which most kids dont even bother to try for
Its our job and responsibility as parents to teach our children resiliency. Every child is different and what’s good for one may not be good for the other. We dont tell our boy who is really athletic and good at sports not to play sports because our other child is bad at sports and he will feel bad. Yes, those very gifted children can wing anything. However it does not mean they will be really good at anything. Because they become accustomed to not working hard. Very few valuable things in life come with little work.
It’s also helped my boys improve their English reading skills 😀.
It helped my son improve his Hebrew reading skills.
Thank you for this eloquent response! I was quite upset that chidon was bashed on a community forum (and with so many negative comments!). Thank you for taking the time to stand up for the beautiful mosad, Shimmy Weinbaum, and the good they bring to the entire Chabad community!
We all hear you, we don’t know why you want to be unnamed after being a menahel for over 20 year?!?
This reply is very one sided and not answering all the issues people had.
I think tzivos hashem should be up front and honest with us, how many of these 3 articles did tzivos hashem write themselves? All 3??!!
Possibly.
you obviously did not read the entire post. The writer said just that….read it again and the entire post.
If he had signed his name, it wouldn’t have made any difference to you. You didn’t read the whole thing.
He addressed the issue from each of the various perspectives- from the parents, educators and yes, from the perspective of Shimmy Weinbaum. Take another look. His main point is the one you’re making – chidon can accomplish without all the expensive ‘glitz’.
It’s just that he first provides you the background of what chidon has added to the landscape so you can evaluate the costs with the benefits.
It’s still not a controversy. I read it it’s very simple. Seems like you’re in the in, is there something you know we don’t?
I totally agree with everything that was said. No child should be pushed. I also think it should not be for the trip. They should deserve a prize for how much they learned to their ability.
Are easy and pleasant to read?
The books are not reader friendly at all! Colorful yes. Full of mistakes, who buys a book full of errors? Who makes a grand contest and tests children on a book so full of inaccuracies that they have to check a second book for correct information?
Besides, my daughter has had to ask me the definitions of so many hard vocabulary words. It was not written for this age level.
If the most costly part is the expense of a trip then eliminate it and find other ways to motivate because it is better to have as many children as possible have the opportunity to participate.
Honestly, I think the children enjoy the Chidon just to challenge themselves and bring nachas to their family and themselves. It woukd be best to cme up with creative incentives that aren’t so costly.
Yasher Koach to the Menahel who took time to write the letter.
I am so greatful to you for writing this article. More than anything else. I was so hurt to see the way Tzivos Hashem was being bashed. What they have done for our children no one has. They have literally changed this generation of children. The Hachayol Magazine The World Wide Tehillim Club Their Tanya Baal Peh Program The Rallies The Medals and Ranks The Weeky Raffles The Missions The chidon These are just some of the amazing things they do We all know the impact that these programs have had on our families. And I was and I am… Read more »
You are calling people wicked when the complaint was not being able to afford the expenses of chidon
My kids really feel the strain of finding hundreds of extra dollars for their children to participate, but they manage. Somehow. Because it is important and my grandchildren thrive on challenges. BUT….when the kinus costs $36 per shliach/shlucha AS PER THE REBBE’S INSTRUCTIONS, it’s obvious that there is the capacity for huge subsidies. Why can’t Tzivos Hashem also get sponsorship? Even if it’s on a sliding scale (2 kids get discount A, 4 get discount B… and even cheaper for Shluchim) The original writer was correct in her criticisms of the pricing, but surely, Tzivos Hashem can do something…if they… Read more »
Purim, Pesach, Chidon…
There are so many donors out there. Why cant the Chidon get donors to help lower the cost from $900, for many families, when you add on the flights…to a more reasonable 50 per child?????
It’s honestly sad to see so many people complaining like for real the price is fine if you don’t have enough money figure it out fundraise etc don’t bash this wonderful amazing project as a mother of four kids in the Chidon I’ll say to you MMM make more money
Have humility
The most honorable menahel of twenty years (assuming that part isn’t made up) possibly hasn’t cultivated in his school a challenging learning environment, for if he would – any outside program would be a disturbance to his shlichus: teaching kids basic MISHNAYOS and GEMARA SKILLS.
Kids that don’t aquire these skills in cheder are set to failure in mesivta and zal.
It’s not a skill building project. It’s broad Knowledge in areas of torah that is not given to kids in any school.
“It’s not a skill building project. It’s broad Knowledge in areas of torah that is not given to kids in any school” – at the expense of the skill building project called school!
Now let’s be honest: which one is more important long term?
First let me state, the program wasn’t motivated by greed. The program was conceived in nobility. Having said that, it has gone off the rails. Nobody would say before chidon existed that it would be a nice idea to start a program to make Rambam appealing to kids at the cost of hundreds per child. There is a budget that is reasonable for a project, and obviously from the parental resentment in the comments, the reasonable amount isn’t hundreds of dollars. It is also turning parents and children into shnorers which I doubt the Rebbe or Rambam would receive nachas… Read more »
No normal contest makes you pay for prizes.
Isnt that what our schools are for? Isnt this why we sent our children to chabad schools in the first place???? “As a result of this partnership, more Talmidim graduating elementary schools and entering Mesivtas are (to name a few): – saying the entire Tehilim on Shabbos Mevorchim – learning Chitas and Rambam – able to watch a full Sicha or two, and in some cases an entire Farbrengen of the Rebbe (way better than we did in person by the actual rallies) – know more about ימי חב”ד and have a Chassidishe חיות in them – have a vast… Read more »
And Tzivos Hashem is conjunction with schools are doing what PARENTS should be doing. These values should come first from the homes. Since there is an absence of that schools need to take the place of the parents in these areas and TH is a great help to them.
Why are people upset with this OP? The menhal is basically saying the same thing as earlier comments but with a less harsh tone. It boils down to whether TH will listen to his message, if they do (scale it down, make the prizes seforim based instead of glitz and glam) everyone will be happy. I think TH is running out of money and sponsors and will have no choice but to scale it down after this parent revolt. When they do, they’ll be able to point a bunch of disappointed children here and say it was a community effort.… Read more »
You get what you pay for. This isn’t the hitzonim where they’re subsidized by wealthy JFED donors. No one’s making a fortune running these programs. They do an outstanding job. Rather than cheaping out on your kids find other non-essential expenses to cut.
If you don’t sign your name, I’m gonna assume you’re a highschooler trying to make waves
Personally, my kids would not do this for a sefer.
I think you can start the trips in 6th grade because when they’re younger the prizes are enough. (not sefarim/actual prizes).
I say this as someone whose rent check cleared this month using funds from my overdraft protection account.
I feel chidon is worth it.
probably a better idea to do the registration drive after the 15th and not while registering for camp.
People can’t read more then a few line tweet these days….
Shimmy Weinbaum is a tzadik not Noach
Camp Directors are millionaires.
BUT
Chidon and Camp make the children good frum Jews who love learning, love Torah and want to be a Jew and Proud
Yeshiva at least in my town
Spends the most time of year for the most money demotivating children especially מצויינים and all the opposite
They make exception for Shluchim kids who are risking their lives and rich kids.
WAKE UP{ YIDDEN
Only we plan a huge expensive program and then figure out how to pay for it later. Like the mitzvah tanks, like someone above said. Hello, part of planning is budgeting. You plan within your means. Do you know what ends up happening? Every fundraiser which are for good causes (chidon, hachnasas kallah, yeshivos, shifra and puah, shuls, orphans r”l, etc) we end up fundraising off each other! How much money can you raise from the same people again and again? I would love to give to all but how far will my $18 go to each? My friend’s husband… Read more »
Thanks for this amazing response, it honestly leaves more questions than answers…… and opens several cans of worms of which I don’t want to bring up. But firstly as a mechanech for over 20 years u should be proud of yourself and mention ur name!!! That’s if ur actually successful at ur position, and if ur not than u shouldn’t be writing….. But for all know this is a slight response from a menahel – of tzivis hahsem……. but honestly at this point there should have been an official response, or notice from tzivios hashem, chidon office, chidon headquarters what… Read more »
right
On a whole nother note, the local girls schools in crown heights (I don’t know regarding the boys schools) did not want to be part of the chidon for it takes away way much from their learning, creates too much pressure and anxiety amongst the students, and they have asked to please keep as a community contest with test and trips and prizes and everything taking place after school and not on school premises.
But their idea was rejected by the directors of the chidon
The controversy is the yeter hora who doesn’t like the Incredible amount of learning that is taking place from yoddishe kinderlach
The controversy is money. The yetzer harah is money
i think the prizes which they “force” you to get in order ro register need to go
they are pretty much the same price or more than if we would get it ourselves, and often the child is not even interested in them
– who appointed tzivos Hashem to mix into curriculum – who are on the vaad of rabonim / mechanchim that create programs and makes sure they are lefi hakavanah. – what happend to kids learning in school followed by homework depending on the age and a mishnayos / Tanya baal peh program. – The very fact that the word chidon isn’t English indicates it isn’t something that was ever done in thing English speaking world. Where did it come from? – who decided it’s important to learn random information about all mitzvos? When the Rebbe instituted the learning of Rambam… Read more »