The 63rd International Bible Contest for Jewish Youth

The 63rd International Bible Contest for Jewish Youth was held in Jerusalem on Israel’s 78th Independence Day. The Bible contest is sponsored by the Israeli Ministry of Education, the Jewish Agency and Keren Kayemet (Jewish National Fund). The Jewish Bible Association is proud to be an affiliate sponsor.

Sixteen contestants from 7 countries participated in the finals of the International Bible Contest. The International Bible Contest camp, which takes place the week before the contest and is organized by the Education Ministry and the Jewish Agency, is a unique preparatory camp for the contestants, who tour the country and participate in preparatory workshops. They met with former contestants and with Yaakov Hagoel, chairman of the World Zionist Organization.

The classic Bible contest traditions were maintained. Due to travel restrictions to Israel, contestants from 3 countries were asked questions by a video link. In the first round of the contest every one of the sixteen contestants are asked a question in two parts. In an interesting twist, in the second round, contestants had 78 seconds to answer a few questions, 78 being Israel’s 78th anniversary. This year’s winner was Hodaya Cohen from Israel. Second place was won by Akiva Schrier from the United States. Third place was won by Yehoshua Applebaum from the United States. Other contestants came from Israel, the United States, South Africa, England, Mexico, Canada, and Panama. American contestants came from the following schools: YULA, Bruriah High School, and Berman Hebrew Academy.

Winners of the contest are awarded scholarship money toward a bachelor’s degree, a personal computer, and a beautifully adorned personal copy of the Tanakh. These gifts were bestowed by Education Minister Yoav Kisch and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana.

Ohana was also on the panel of judges, along with World Zionist Organization Chairman Yaakov Hagoel, Jewish Agency Chairman Doron Almog and representatives of bereaved families from the “Swords of Iron” war. The Jewish Bible Association is proud of the winners in the Bible contest.

Jewish communities around the world are urged to prepare pupils for local Bible contests in communities where they are held or to prepare pupils privately so that they can become future participants in the international contest. Pupils may study the Bible either in Hebrew or in their native languages. During the written exam in Israel and at the Independence Day contest there are always translators for anyone speaking a language other than Hebrew. Detailed information about the Bible contest can be found at:

https://www.jewishagency.org/international-bible-contest/

On this website you can find a learning kit as well as the steps needed to participate in the competition, or contact Rabbi Dov Nadel (Dovin@jafi.org), coordinator of the US National Bible Contest. Also: chidonusa@gmail.com.