Israel's Independence Day tradition – the International Bible Contest featuring contestants from all over world – will be held Tuesday at the Jerusalem Theater, with 16 youth competing: 12 from the Diaspora and 4 from Israel.
All will vie for the title of World Bible Champion. The final list of contestants was determined through a qualifying exam held during a Bible camp preceding the event. At the camp, all contestants tour the country, meet figures like Chief Rabbi David Lau, and visit Yad Vashem, the Western Wall, and other heritage and national sites.
This year, in light of Operation Iron Swords, the event will focus on the theme of war. It will also feature a performance by children from communities around the Gaza border, singing with artist Yagel Oshri.
The judges will include Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana as well Iris Haim (mother of Yotam Haim killed by Israeli fire), Rabbi Yemima Mizrahi, Jewish Agency Chairman Doron Almog, and World Zionist Organization Chair Yaakov Hagoel.
Gur Rosenblat, deputy director of the Education Ministry overseeing the event, described the preparations in an interview with Israel Hayom: "The quiz will focus on courage and revival this year; this will be reflected in the questions themselves and how they're asked. We've prepared videos, and some questions will be asked by Rachel Edri, known colloquially as "Rachel from Ofakim" after she fought off terrorists on Oct. 7 by baking cookies, public diplomacy activist Yoseph Haddad, a senior reserve officer who teaches at a pre-military academy, and a representative of the Druze community. Yigal Oshri will sing his song 'Leaving Depression' with children from around Gaza."
Rosenblat said all contestants arrived last week from around the world: "Their families showed extraordinary resilience, sending their children and expressing full confidence in Israel's ability to protect them."
On holding the global quiz during wartime, Rosenblat stressed: "The contest will be impactful, empowering and unifying – what the country needs now. It will be a different kind of Bible contest that preserves the connection to the Bible while reflecting what's happening in Israel. We've worked six months on this. Nothing connects the Jewish people in Israel and the Diaspora like this contest."
Education Minister Yoav Kisch stated: "Especially in these complex times for Israel, we chose to hold the quiz focused on Jewish courage and to host students from the Diaspora for the 76th Independence Day. The Bible is the book of books, expressing the history and roots of the Jewish people and proving our attachment and settlement in the Land of Israel."
