The 46th Annual International Bible Contest for Jewish Youth

This year, because of the global economic situation, only 24 countries participated in the Israel Independence Day Hidon HaTanakh, instead of the usual 34-35 countries, with 47 contestants rather than the usual 60. However, we were pleased that Sweden and Switzerland were represented for the first time.

One of the two main themes of this year’s Hidon was the need for social and economic justice based on Psalm 85:11. The other was the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Tel-Aviv, then the only all Jewish city in the world. This might seem rather extraneous to the Hidon, since the name Tel-Aviv appears only once in the Tanakh and that is for a town in Babylonia (Ezek. 3:15).

Participants from the Diaspora come for two weeks, during which they have field trips to places of biblical interest. During this period, they take a written examination and then go on to a special contest among the Diaspora students. This year, first place went to Doron Sultan of New Jersey, and second place to Amram Littel of Canada. Israeli contestants are chosen by a separate first-round contest, and the two groups then compete together in the Hidon. In this final round, first place went to Sapir Malka from Kochav Yaakov and second to Uri Luvish from Beth-Yatir, both in Yesha. Of the Diaspora youth, Doron Sultan came in fourth. Also, Noa Bloch, a 15-year-old girl from Australia did quite well in the contest, as her three siblings had done in previous Hidonim.

Many individuals contribute to the success of the Hidon year after year. Among them are Yosef Shaar and Pinchas Neriah, who compose the questions, Shaul David, behind-the-scenes Hidon coordinator and advisor, and Avshalom Kor, who has conducted the contest for many years in the most professional and interesting manner.