World Bible Contest 2015

After announcing the winners, Netanyahu said, "soldiers who swear allegiance to the country receives a Bible book. The Bible is the sources of our strength, I value it as the Makor Mayim Chayyim ("Fountain of Living Waters") and it is important that our youths and children draw from this well." Commenting on this year's theme of the return of Jews to Israel from all countries around the world, Netanyahu said: "Israel is the only place a Jewish person can walk down the street and say 'I am Jewish'. We are not forgetting about the responsibility other governments have to ensure the safety of the Jewish residents, but we are saying to the Jews of the world: "This is home – this is our home." Netanyahu urged the contestants to "come back to the land of Israel, make aliyah. We are waiting for you with open arms."

Four Israeli teenagers, as well as three from the US, Canada and Mexico, and other contestants from Panama, Belarus and South Africa competed for the coveted title, showing extraordinary proficiency in the books of the Bible. In third place was Arad Kotzer from Ashdod, and in fourth Ryan Raphael Ripsman from Canada.

Of the 67 contestants in the preliminary contest, only 16 individuals – from 33 different countries – made it to the final round. The International Bible Contest is organized by the Education Ministry, the IDF Education and Youth Corps, The Chief Military Rabbinate, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the Defense Ministry and Keren Kayemet Le’Israel.

Kobi Nachshoni