Beth Tfiloh Students Qualify for Chidon HaTanach Nationals, Bringing Tremendous Nachas to the Community
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 27, 2026 - Sixteen students from Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School have qualified for the National Finals of the Chidon HaTanach - the Dr. Shimshon Isseroff US National Bible Contest for Jewish Youth - which will take place in New York on May 17. The Chidon challenges students to develop deep knowledge of Tanach, and participation is voluntary. These students chose to take on the extra limud, committing themselves to serious study, review, and preparation throughout the year.
At Beth Tfiloh, participation in the Chidon program reflects a genuine commitment to serious Tanach learning. Students dedicate time outside the regular school day to mastering the material. Along the way, they develop strong relationships with classmates and with their Rebbe, Rabbi Leib Zalesch, who guides their Tanach learning and helps make this program a meaningful part of their middle school years.
This year, under Rabbi Zalesch’s leadership, 16 dedicated middle school students learned Sefer Bereishit, Sefer Shmuel Bet, and selections from Tehillim, while the school’s high school participant completed portions of Yechezkel - a significant undertaking that required discipline, persistence, and genuine commitment to Torah learning.
The students who qualified for the national finals are: Daniella B. ’31, Rafaella B. ’31, Zoe B. ’30, Yehuda B. ’30, Noah B. ’31, Ruby F. ’31, Sammy H. ’31, Oshra K. ’30, Shira K. ’31, Tamar L. ’31, Esther L. ’30, Yosef L. ’30, Yael R. ’31, Kira S. ’31, Isaac W. ’31, and Moshe L. ’28.
Special recognition goes to Daniella B., Tamar L., Moshe L., Esther L., Kira S., and Isaac W., who scored in the top 10% nationwide, earning distinction as top scorers.
For the fifteenth consecutive year, Beth Tfiloh will be represented at the national finals - a testament to the culture of serious Torah learning that continues to thrive at the school. Over the years, two Beth Tfiloh students, Caleb Gitlitz ’21 and Yisrael Kaplowitz ’25, earned the honor of representing the United States at the international Chidon in Eretz Yisrael.
Yasher koach to these students for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to learning Tanach with depth and enthusiasm. Their achievements bring pride to their families, their teachers, and the entire community.
Sixteen Beth Tfiloh students qualified for the National Finals of the Chidon HaTanach, continuing a proud tradition of Torah excellence and bringing tremendous nachas to families and the broader community.
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 27, 2026 - Sixteen students from Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School have qualified for the National Finals of the Chidon HaTanach - the Dr. Shimshon Isseroff US National Bible Contest for Jewish Youth - which will take place in New York on May 17. The Chidon challenges students to develop deep knowledge of Tanach, and participation is voluntary. These students chose to take on the extra limud, committing themselves to serious study, review, and preparation throughout the year.
At Beth Tfiloh, participation in the Chidon program reflects a genuine commitment to serious Tanach learning. Students dedicate time outside the regular school day to mastering the material. Along the way, they develop strong relationships with classmates and with their Rebbe, Rabbi Leib Zalesch, who guides their Tanach learning and helps make this program a meaningful part of their middle school years.
This year, under Rabbi Zalesch’s leadership, 16 dedicated middle school students learned Sefer Bereishit, Sefer Shmuel Bet, and selections from Tehillim, while the school’s high school participant completed portions of Yechezkel - a significant undertaking that required discipline, persistence, and genuine commitment to Torah learning.
The students who qualified for the national finals are: Daniella B. ’31, Rafaella B. ’31, Zoe B. ’30, Yehuda B. ’30, Noah B. ’31, Ruby F. ’31, Sammy H. ’31, Oshra K. ’30, Shira K. ’31, Tamar L. ’31, Esther L. ’30, Yosef L. ’30, Yael R. ’31, Kira S. ’31, Isaac W. ’31, and Moshe L. ’28.
Special recognition goes to Daniella B., Tamar L., Moshe L., Esther L., Kira S., and Isaac W., who scored in the top 10% nationwide, earning distinction as top scorers.
For the fifteenth consecutive year, Beth Tfiloh will be represented at the national finals - a testament to the culture of serious Torah learning that continues to thrive at the school. Over the years, two Beth Tfiloh students, Caleb Gitlitz ’21 and Yisrael Kaplowitz ’25, earned the honor of representing the United States at the international Chidon in Eretz Yisrael.
Yasher koach to these students for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to learning Tanach with depth and enthusiasm. Their achievements bring pride to their families, their teachers, and the entire community.
