International Bible Contest

↓The International Bible Contest is a competition run around the world between high school students on the Jewish Bible. It is sponsored by the Israeli government. The following is the Canadian system. Other countries may operate differently. Participants are given a list of chapters to study in May or June, and in the following February or April a preliminary regional test is taken. This consists of 100 OR 50 multiple-choice questions. A number of participants to continue are selected - e.g., 50. In this case, the top 50 scores will continue to the national competition. The national competition is held in May or June. It consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, as well as other questions. The top 10 people are selected. Of these, first and second place will go to Israel the next year to represent Canada. If anyone from Montreal gets into the top 10, they go also (the top Montrealer if there is more than one). The same goes for Western Canada. Thus, a total of 4 people can go to Israel the next year.

The U.S. system works out in participants are also given a set of chapters to study. There is one book of Torah, one in Early Prophets, and one in Writings. The high school division also has one book of Later Prophets. Selected chapters are chosen from each, for a total of 70-100 chapters. During December, February, and March, there are 3 regional tests. Those who score a certain cumulative percentage (e.g. 85%) on the regionals go on to the nationals. There are 4 divisions in the nationals, the Hebrew High School, Hebrew Middle School, English High School, and English Middle School. The Chidon has a complicated system for who they send to Israel, generally based on percentage of contestants in each division, any ties in divisions, and, all else being equal, the high school has preference. Somewhere between 4 and 6 people are sent each year, with the government paying for the contestant's plane ticket. In 2006, this competition was held at Ramaz School in New York City, New York, and it will be held there in 2007 as well. The questions in the national test are much harder than the regional questions. There is also a section of "cross-referencing", where you must match similar phrases to different contexts. The winners usually get 90%-95% correct. As of now, the American Chidon has no website.

The International Chidon is on around 400 chapters, and is harder still. Israelis win over 90% of the time, but there is a separate contest for the best non-Israelis. The main contest is broadcast live on Yom Ha'atzmot. For the week before and after, the contestants have a scheduled programs, in which they travel throughout Israel and meet dignitaries. The International Chidon also doesn't have a website.

The Chidon Hatanach was founded by David Ben Gurion to honor the study of Torah. The winner of the International Bible Contest wins a four-year college scholarship to any college in Israel. As of 2006, Israel Channel Two is making a documentary of the competition.

2007 Contest

In the 2007 contest the contestents placed as follows:
1st place: Yishai Gisspan (17, Jerusalem, Israel)
2nd Place: Tamar Krunman ( 17, Be'er Sheva, Israel)
3rd Place: Tzuriel Sasson (17, Be'er Sheva, Israel)
4th Place (and Diaspora Champion): Yakir Forman (13, Teaneck, New Jersey USA)
5th Place: Yosef Kornbluth (16, Teaneck, New Jersey USA)
6th Place: Joshua Satok (16, Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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