Last night (Sunday), the Ministry of Education held the Diaspora Youth Bible Quiz, the final event of the International Bible Quiz for Youth. This special competition was designed for Jewish teenagers from around the world who had not qualified for the Bible Quiz held on Israel’s Independence Day—giving them a second opportunity to participate.
The event was held in partnership with Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL-JNF) and The Jewish Agency for Israel. Twelve Jewish teens from nine different countries came to Israel to compete for the title of Diaspora Bible Quiz Champion. The winner was Michal Rowe, a 10th-grade student from the United Kingdom. The runner-up was Bracha Balaish, a 10th-grade student from France.
The 12 participants in the Diaspora Youth Bible Quiz:
- Deborah Goldman, 11th grade, Argentina
- Thomas (Carmel) Nosbischer, 10th grade, Brazil
- David Katri, 9th grade, Brazil
- Hannah Calderon Gluzman, 11th grade, Canada
- Sarah Meitelman, 2nd grade, Chile
- Bracha Balaish, 10th grade, France
- Yitzhak Bacher, 11th grade, Germany
- Noga Sivan, 9th grade, Germany
- Israel Krawczyk, 12th grade, Mexico
- Michal Rowe, 10th grade, United Kingdom
- Miri Rees, 10th grade, United Kingdom
- Hannah Motuz, 9th grade, Romania
The quiz took place at ANU – Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv, with the participation of Gur Rosenblat, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Education; Irina Nevzlin, Chair of the Board of ANU – Museum of the Jewish People; Oded Revivi, CEO of the museum; and Devorah Leshem Gonen, mother of Merav Leshem Gonen, who was recently released from Hamas captivity.
This year’s quiz highlighted the Sassoon Codex – the world’s oldest nearly complete Hebrew Bible, written over 1,000 years ago and preserved for generations with exceptional care.
“She demonstrated not only exceptional knowledge, but also a profound love for the Book of Books”
Minister of Education Yoav Kisch said the event once again reflected the unifying power of Jewish heritage:
“Young men and women from across the globe, all speaking the same language—the language of the Bible. The winner of the quiz demonstrated not only exceptional knowledge, but also a profound love for the Book of Books, which connects every Jew, wherever they may be.”
