Toronto Teen Wins Israel’s Bible Quiz

Every year, on Yom Haatzmaut, a contest is held at the Jerusalem Theater, which Israelis from around the country flock to in kicking off the day of festivities in celebrating Israel’s independence.

This year, as the State of Israel turns 66, the competition was fierce, with 16 finalists from around the world answering questions about the Torah, posed by Education Minister Shai Piron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu went on to sing medleys about Israel’s independence later on in the day accompanied by President Shimon Peres and a distinguished cadre of notable Israeli singer/songwriters.

After a long battle, the winner was chosen: Eitan Amos, an 18-year-old Jewish teen from Toronto.

Tefila Berenson, from Rehovot, scored second, while Yeshiva student Itamar Khalifa came in third.

“The compass and map that help us navigate our way in a changing and unchanging reality is the Book of Books, the foundation of our existence, the Bible,” said Netanyahu after he handed out awards to the winners.

“Foresight and being prepared for the future are the most important things. Without them, we are like leaves blowing in the wind, unable to influence our national existence,” he added.

Before today’s finals, this year’s Bible Quiz had 75 participants from 33 countries, from Brazil to Australia, Turkey to the United States.

The competition was started 50 years ago by David Ben-Gurion. Amos is the second non-Israeli to win the competition in its history.