Jewish Youth Bible Quiz – State Finals 2007

More than 150 people packed the halls of Beth Weizmann Community Centre and sat on the edge of their seats on Sunday 5 August for the Victorian Finals of the Jewish Youth Bible Quiz.

The six contestants, who have been studying for months leading up to the competition, began the day with the written test which culminated in a heart racing oral quiz in front of an enthusiastic and enthralled audience. The students demonstrated their detailed and thorough knowledge of the syllabus in their answers to questions posed by moderator Rabbi James Kennard.

2006 Finalist Nomi Kaltmann of Leibler Yavneh College took the top honours this year with Sonya Berson (Beth Rivkah Ladies’ College) and Nathan Joel (Leibler Yavneh College) achieving second and third places respectively. Ilana Dabakarov, Chaya Liberow and Avital Lindell (all of Beth Rivkah Ladies’ College) also contested the tough competition.

Nomi, Sonya and Nathan have won the chance to compete in the national final with students from Sydney to win an all-expenses trip to Israel. While in Israel, the winner will attend a preparatory camp in Israel next year, in anticipation of the international Bible Quiz final, which traditionally takes place on Yom Ha’atzmaut and is screened on Israeli national television.

The competition was judged Michelle Feiglin, Shavi Slodowitz, Geoffrey Bloch and Shira Wenig, who also wrote the complex and comprehensive test. Last year’s winner, Yonina Garfield, who represented Australia at the International Bible Quiz, addressed the audience about her experience in Israel.

The Youth Bible Quiz was organised and supported by the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) and the State Zionist Council of Victoria (SZCV).

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