«Intellectual wars - 2009»

3rd Intellectual international championship “Intellectual wars - 2009” was held in Odessa during 10-12 of May. That is the biggest project of Odessa Hillel which encourages youth intellectual development, promotion of intellectual sport and also strengths the Odessa image as a resort city and helps to develop partnership with other cities.

The 1st day of the festival was devoted for the “What? Where? When?”- tournament. We had a special dress-code (black tie) that gave participants an opportunity to feel themselves in an atmosphere of sonority. We had a lot of honorable guests, - Odessa businessmen, state governors and Jewish community professionals. 19 teams participated in the championship – among them were 14 teams from the other cities of the FSU and 5 teams from Odessa.

After the games the Odessa excursion was organized for the city guests. Also they were entertained with the sea trip around the Odessa seaside.

The 2nd day of the festival also was full of surprises. The main one was that the championship was attended by the fabulous person – Anatoliy Vasserman. He is extremely famous in the intellectual environment – he has numerous prizes and awards in different intellectual games, and it was really big honor for our festival – to have him as a guest. Besides, he expressed a wish to participate in the tournament as a member of the “Jewish Cultural Center in Odessa” team.
Also the 2nd day of the “Intellectual wars” included the “Mafia- tournament” with the professional master of ceremonies. That is a psychological game that develops self-control and bluff skill.

The final party was held in one of the best the night clubs in Odessa. Those teams, who took first 10 places in the tournament table, were awarded with the trip to the Carpathian mountains. The best players of the “Intellectual wars” were gifted by the “Pivdenny” Bank (the official partner of the festival). Prizes for them were credit cards, and one of them – the most outstanding player Eduard Veltman (Hillel Kishinev, Moldova) – was presented with the certificate for the participation in the educational seminar of Philip Kotler.
The first 3 prize places were taken by:
3 place – Odessa Hillel team
2 place – Kishinev Hillel team
1 place - “Jewish Cultural Center in Odessa” team, - they were awarded with the gold bullions.

Our festival was given coverage in mass-media. Here we have some comments, which were given by the participants of the championship.
- “This is my first time at the “Intellectual wars” – says Ann Kudryavtseva, Kharkov participant. – I have great emotions and impressions, besides it organized perfectly, - logistics, technical equipment – everything is high-leveled”.
- “I wish Odessa Hillel that their festival became not international, but intercontinental! I am sure that next year they will need the translators form English and Hebrew for the foreign participants” – Lev Levitskiy, Moskow, Russia. 
- “That is an enormous event in the Jewish youth world, perfect pastime with the mind use, good possibility to approve oneself. And, besides, the participants come from the different cities and even different countries – that is wonderful ability to get new acquaintances and connections.” – Klim Khavkin, Kiev, Ukraine



On this occasion, Odessa Hillel thank all the participants of the “Intellectual wars - 2009”. “There are people, without whom this festival would not be realized. Those are – 19 teams who took part in our event. We were happy to have you as guests of our favorite city. And we are sure – this is not for the last time. See You at 2010!!!”

Organizing committee of “Intellectual wars - 2009”
Director – Pavel Vugelman
Logistics – Sasha Zlobina
Finances – Vladimir Baltyan
Master of ceremonies – Zeev Vaksman
Creator of the questions and the head of the hanging committee – Alexander Kleyn
PR – Yevgeniya Popova & Kseniya Kedrova
Volunteers – Marina, Denis, Oleg, Alexander