Israeli Teenage Girl Wins International Bible Quiz

For the first time in almost two decades, the top finalists in an international Bible Quiz competition between Jewish teenagers from around the world were two teenage girls from Israel. Last year (the first time the competition had been held since COVID), two teen boys from Israel shared the top prize (another rare event), but this was the first time in 17 years that two females from Israel were at the top.

The competition was established by Israel President Isaac Herzog’s mother, Aura Herzog, in 1958. She wanted a way for Jewish children around the world to reconnect to their Biblical roots and long history. The annual competition is held in Jerusalem on Israel’s Independence Day. This year marked Israel’s 75th anniversary.

This year’s winner was Emuna Cohen, a 17-year-old girl who lives in the northern part of the Negev Desert. Neta Lax took home second place. She attends school in Samaria (also known as the West Bank).

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the event and congratulated the winner.

“Our forefather Abraham, at the age of 75, left Haran and following [God’s] commandment ‘Go forth,’” arrived in the land of Israel. From that 75 to this 75 – 75 years of independence for the State of Israel,” said Netanyahu. “All of us, all the tribes of the nation, are making this journey together.”