By, Charlotte Oliver
1 min read
ByCharlotte Oliver, Charlotte Oliver
Are you smarter than a 10-year-old?
The chances are slim, if last week's Etgar Challenge is any indication .
On Thursday, more than 600 children from 20 Jewish primary schools across the country proved their brainpower by taking part in an inter-school quiz that tested the limits of their Jewish knowledge.
Both Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Israeli Ambassador to the UK Daniel Taub were in attendance at Allianz Park in Barnet to watch the teams fight it out, answering questions on topics including the Jewish calendar, the Talmud, Shabbat, prayer and Israel.
In the end, it was Hertsmere Jewish Primary School in Hertfordshire that claimed victory, sweeping the board to win the top trophy, gold medals for its pupils and a cheque for £500.
North West London Jewish Day School in Brent came second, followed closely by Noam Primary in Wembley.
"Etgar is a step-change in Jewish education in the UK," explained its founders, Adam Taub and Jo Rosenfelder. The pair set up the annual quiz to "consolidate the progress the UK's Jewish community has made over the last few decades with the enormous increase in the number of Jewish children at Jewish primary schools".
They added: "With the help of their teachers, Jewish children have shown they can master basic Jewish general knowledge, and enjoy themselves hugely in the process."
Every September, participating Jewish schools provide their Year Five pupils with an Etgar handbook, filled with Jewish history and ethics.
They then have a year to learn their mitzvot from their Mishnah, before putting it to the test in July.
Are you smarter than a 10-year-old? Take the quiz here