Hodaya Cohen Takes the Crown at the International Tanakh Quiz

Hodaya Cohen, an 11th-grade student at the Rav Beharan Ulpana in Gedera and a resident of Moshav Nir Akiva in the south, was crowned today (Wednesday) as the winner of the International Tanakh Quiz for Youth.

Akiva (Jack) Schreier, a 10th-grade student from the United States, was named runner-up. Third place went to Yehoshua Applebaum, who studies at the Berman Hebrew Academy.

This year’s quiz, which featured 16 teens from seven countries, was held under the theme “To Build and to Plant” at the Jerusalem Theater.

Because of security tensions this year, the quiz was pre-recorded and aired in the morning. Some contestants participated via Zoom due to geographic distance and logistical circumstances.

Among the judges were: Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana; Liron Ben Moshe, the question writer; Elad Yanir, the outgoing Tanakh champion; Avraham Revach, father of Maj. Dvir Revach, hy"d; and Rachel Greenberg, widow of Rabbi Avi Goldberg, hy"d, who fell in the Swords of Iron War.

Here are the 16 contestants:

Israel: Georgy Rivnikov, Hodaya Cohen, Yedidya Molayof, Yael Yao.

United States: Jack Schreier, Yehoshua Applebaum, Hadassah Ritz.

England: Leah Gittel Ostroff.

South Africa: Tehila Rannels, Chaim Goldfein.

Mexico: Sarah Sasson Shaluach, Miriam Dishi.

Panama: Jackie Penono, Alan Eitan.

Canada: Michelle Gamliel, Maya Verskin.

Education Minister Yoav Kisch: “In these times, our connection to our roots is a source of strength. The Tanakh serves as an anchor of identity, depth, and direction for the Jewish people in Israel and in the Diaspora. ‘To Build and to Plant’ is a path—to hold fast to our roots, grow from them, and look ahead with confidence. The younger generation that delves into the Tanakh is the guarantee of the continuation of the Jewish story.”