The 62nd International Bible Contest for Jewish Youth

FOR JEWISH YOUTH

The International Bible Contest for Jewish Youth was held in Jerusalem on Israel’s 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. The slogan of this year’s contest was OZ L’YISRAEL (OZ = strength as well as having the numerical equivalent of 77, 2025 being Israel’s 77th “birthday”). Sixteen contestants 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. In the first round of the contest every one of the sixteen contestants are asked a question in two parts. This year’s winner was Elad Yanir a 10th grader from Amit Bar-Ilan High School in Israel. Second place was won by Ilan Romm a 12th grader from the Frisch School in New Jersey. Third place was won by Yehuda Goren from Israel. Other contestants came from Israel, the United States, South Africa, England, Mexico, Canada, and Panama. American contestants came from the Frisch School, SAR High School, Maimonides, and the Yeshiva of Greater Washington.

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 several other esteemed members of Israeli cultural and literary society. 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.