Posted on 04/29/20
Jerusalem, Israel - Apr. 29, 2020 - One of the most popular annual events for Yom Haatzmaut is the Chidon HaTanach, the World Bible Quiz televised in the morning of Israeli Independence Day.
"Congratulations to the winner of the World Bible Quiz for Youth, Ruth Hacohen from Gadera," tweeted President Reuven Rivlin. "Many daughters have done valiantly, but you excel them all. Well done to all competitors from Israel and around the world, on your knowledge and learning!"
First place outside Israel in the Chidon HaTanach was Nossi Shields, son of Rabbi Moshe and Rachael Shields who placed third overall in the international competition. Nossi, a Berman Hebrew Academy 8th grade alum, is currently a student at the Yeshiva of Greater Washington.
Amihai Bannett, Chidon HaTanach Director at the Jewish Agency congratulated Shields on his great achievement.
Bannett said that the Jewish Agency decided not to cancel Chidon HaTanach, despite all the challenges presented by the coronavirus restrictions, "since the Tanach is one of the strongest ways to connect Jews from all around the world, and connection between Jews is something which cannot be canceled!"
Because of the limitations of traveling around the world, this year the initial stages of the World Bible Quiz, which usually bring dozens of Jewish youth from the Diaspora, were not held in Israel but in a worldwide virtual project:
Sixty-three contestants from 28 countries took the exam – answering 50 questions on the Chumash, in 14 languages, with the help of 20 adjudicators from Israel, who oversaw the exams through 90 webcams.
The 16 who received the highest scores - participated today in the finals, which were broadcast on national television with each Diaspora competitor, participating from their own home.
Chairman of the Jewish Agency Isaac Herzog spoke to the contestants: “Throughout history the Jewish People have coped with immense challenges and always found creative ways to continue the tradition and pass the Bible from generation to generation.”
Watch the replay here: