BT Students Take Top Spots in National Bible Contest

Two BT Middle School students took the top spots at the Jewish Agency for Israel’s National Bible Contest. Caleb G. '21, who won first place and Ryan J. '21, who came in second, were part of the 21-student contingency—the largest team present--from Beth Tfiloh who participated in the Chidon under the guidance of their Judaics teachers, Rabbi Mordechai Abrahams and Rabbi Elie Levi. The BT team competed along with 150 of their peers in grades 6-11 from across the country. As an example of one of the toughest questions from today’s finals, students were asked to list four of Bilam’s statements (that did not contain heavy context clues), from Parshat Balak, in the order that they appear in the Parshah!

The BT team participants were:
From the class of 2020: Andrew B., Eden B., Steven H., Leah M., Ben M., Yossi Z., Zachary P., Selena S., Eden S., Sam S., Abbey S., Ella W., Coby Z.

From the class of 2021: Tobi C., Jamie D., Caleb G., Leah G., Rachel H., Matan J., Ryan J., Ethan M.

These students qualified for the national test in March, when they took the regional test that posed challenging questions from parts of Sefer Vayikra (Leviticus), Sefer Bamidbar (Numbers) Sefer Shmuel (Samuel) and the books of Ezra and Nechemya (Nechemiah). At the national finals, held at the Manhattan Day School in New York, our students competed with others from across the country.
 
This year, for the first time in BT history, we had a Chidon champion! Caleb G. ‘21 gained first place in the English division and won an all-expense trip to Israel when he competes next year in the International Chidon on Yom HaAtzma’ut. He was followed closely behind by Ryan J. ‘21 who took second place in the competition. We are very proud of both of these students, and indeed all our participating students who worked hard since September, and reviewed all 62 chapters at least two or three times!
 
Each student received a certificate congratulating them on being a national finalist, as well as their own Tanach. The two winners also received an additional certificate and book.

Learn more about the Chidon HaTanach