PHOTO: Portland trivia afficianados will have one last chance to vie for The Q's championship trophy Saturday, Jan. 24 at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. (Rockne Roll/Jewish Review file)

The final question will take on a whole new meaning at The Q, NCSY’s annual fundraiser trivia night. After 18 years, it is, in fact, The Final Q.

The last chance to join in on a Jewish Portland institution is Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center at 8 pm. More than a trivia contest, The Q has evolved over its nearly two decades into a high-energy, multimedia extravaganza that gives adults a taste of what NCSY offers its young participants.

“The reason why The Q is something that we really put our heart and soul into is because  we make Judaism fun and relevant for youth,” Oregon NCSY Director Meira Spivak said. “People come to The Q and they understand that. ‘Oh, I get it. This is so fun.’”

Portland’s Q was inspired by a speed-dating trivia event in New York that Spivak brought west. The inaugural show hosted 100 folks at the Hilton hotel in downtown Portland for dessert and the same quiz that New York’s event used. It was Oregon NCSY’s first event, and it raised $5,000.

“People loved it,” Spivak said.

By Portland’s third year, the New York group had folded their event, so Spivak’s husband, Portland Kollel Rosh Kollel Rabbi Chanan Spivak, took over writing the show. In recent years, The Q has packed hundreds into the MJCC for a showcase of lights, music, visual effects and trivia that goes far beyond the Jewish world into all manners of subjects – fortunately for participants, it’s a team sport.

The food is part of the experience, too – especially with the annual varying themes The Q has incorporated. The 2024 show highlighted Israel at a pivotal moment just months after the Oct. 7 attacks with a full shuk spread with previous editions exploring everything from Winter Coziness to Back to the Future – including parking an AMC DeLorean in front of the MJCC. This year’s theme is a closely guarded secret, as always.

Spivak gives credit to Allen Levin of Century Catering for making The Q’s thematic menus happen in challenging timeframes, given The Q’s traditional Saturday night schedule.

“[Levin] really extends himself out of his comfort zone to help create these events. Without him, they never would have been possible,” Spivak said. “He’s done amazing work.”

After nearly two decades of success, including the challenge of going virtual through the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s easy to wonder why Spivak and the NCSY team are bringing down the curtain on such an institution.

“I am trained in innovation, so I think there’s an opportunity. People get complacent just doing the same things, and I think there’s so much more; let’s think of what’s next. I’m excited, I’m up for the challenge,” Spivak said.

Whatever comes next, there’s still one more show to put on. The Q has long been a can’t miss date on Portland’s Jewish community calendar, and Spivak is committed to going out on a high note.

“It’ll be the best Q ever,” she said.

Registration and sponsorships are available online at oregon.ncsy.org.