By Simcha Abir

Three British candidates participated in the World Chidon HaTanach for the first time.

The Hasmonean High School year 10 pupils made Britain proud in the Jewish Youth annual event, televised in Israel on its 73’rd Independence Day.

This is the first time three British candidates have earned a place in the prestigious final. Fifty candidates from 20 countries participated in programme. The event honoured the hard work of 16 teenagers, hailing from all over the globe, following years of intensive Tanach study.

With the success of the vaccination programme rollout in Israel, the event took place in Jerusalem. Due to restrictions on travel imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, all participants outside of Israel joined the ceremony virtually. Honoured attendees included Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Chairman of the Knesset, Yariv Levin, and Minister of Education, Yoav Galant.

Chidon HaTanach elebrate Tanach study amongst Jewish youth to deepen Torah knowledge and strengthen Jewish identity.

The Israeli Ministry of Education and Jewish Agency, who provide Chidon HaTanach UK with informative educational materials, sponsor the international programme.

Samuel Maierovits, Chidon HaTanach UK, thanked Rabbi Silverman from Hasmonean High School and those who supported efforts to revive Chidon HaTanach in the UK.

“Over the past year, it has been wonderful to see children involved in the UK programme become inspired to set up their own virtual learning initiatives, including the recent Tanach Quizathon, as a way to support and connect with one another through lockdown,” he said.

With the success of the UK’s junior stream programme offered to children in years 7-9 and senior stream programme offered to children in years 9 upwards, plans are afoot to expand the programme and reach a younger audience.