Parent Writes: Must Chidon Go Over the Top?

By a grateful parent, Shliach and former Mechanech

I remember when…

Not that long ago, yet it feels like a million years ago, I was a child and there was a brand new sensation! Tzivos Hashem. The Rebbe had just come out with this new exciting program for us kids, which was special. Some of our teachers were more into it than the older generation teachers who didn’t quite get what this was all about. Perhaps they wore the (pathetic-looking) army surplus officer hats. They were making an honest effort to be part of it and to help boost the excitement. And that’s what mattered. We, the children, were having fun and getting swept away by this new movement.

The greatest exciting moments were the children’s rallies with The Rebbe. Although I cannot honestly say that we fully appreciated what was taking place or what the objectives were, yet we all felt part of a sensational, remarkable something. 

Now, the following may sound superficial and mundane, but for me personally there was a very unique and special highlight which I always looked forward to with great anticipation. At these rallies they typically distributed these little orange-flavored drinks. They were delicious, they were so special, at least to the little me at the time. I can still savor that taste from childhood. We, I, actually looked forward to these orange-flavored drinks.

Now, I realize that this was way back then. This was at a time when we had very little and it was much easier to please the average child than it is nowadays. Back then, the expectations of the average child were easily surpassed with a relatively small enticement. Granted. However, my argument is that more or less the same rules, the same psychology applies even today when kids have everything.

Think about a group of kids cheering and singing loudly at the Shabbos Benching in camp. In that group, there are some very wealthy children, alongside less affluent kids, and even some who are from outright low-income families. They are all motivated by the potential promise of extra watermelon or maybe even a can soda each. To the average, certainly to the rich kid, what is it at the end of the day – certainly they can afford their own soda and sweets? Yet, they are thoroughly motivated, and their vocal cords are proof.

Why is this? How is this? Because it is sensational. Because it was made to be special to them. So even though they can easily afford TEN cans of soda on any given day, yet they are eager to win this one can of soda. Because it is special. Because it is a prize. Because it is unique, in this moment.

Several years ago, one of my sons had the privilege of going on the chidon trip, TRIPS I mean – all packed into the span of three days, with Shabbos in the middle. What didn’t they do? It seemed that short of flying to outer space, they did it! They made it back to Crown Heights with minutes to spare to Shabbos.

Overkill. Exaggeration. Too much – over the top – totally unnecessary. These are some of the euphemisms which come to mind when attempting to understand / explain the necessity for the non-stop, never-ending, mind-blowing, heart-throbbing trips and trips and trips.

The only reason the boys arrived so late, so close to Shabbos, WHICH IS ANTITHETICAL TO PROPER CHINUCH, is due to the exaggerated overscheduling. Anyone who’s ever planned a field trip for students or campers certainly knows that you always must give yourself extra time. Never will a “two-hour trip” actually be two hours. So, it makes common sense (which is not so common anymore…) not to schedule several back-to-back trips on a short Friday.

Again, the real issue here is not so much about the scheduling but rather whether it is necessary to over-exaggerate with so many trips (and prizes). I suspect that most, if not all of the kids would be motivated just as much with far less over-the-top, non-stop rewards. Perhaps the time has come to implement an oversight committee compromised of sensible Mechanchim and businessmen, to oversee the spending and prizes. 

Of course, this must be done without compromising on the enthusiasm and massive amount of built-in energy which brought this all about I the first place. Rabbi Shimmy Weinbaum was blessed with a great vision and tremendous Chayus. This is great and has proved itself as an unlimited asset to the creation and development of this great, unprecedented project. However, when developing a powerful engine, one must be concerned not only with the about of power it’ll output. One must ensure the proper means of simultaneously cooling down that engine, so it doesn’t overheat and crack.