Ilan Romm, a 12th-grade student at The Frisch School, was the runner-up for the Chidon HaTanach, the World Bible Contest, in Israel on Yom Ha’Atzmaut. He wins a scholarship to college at the institution of his choice, and earns great prestige for his school.

This year the theme was עוז לישראל, Might to Israel. Oz in Gematria is 77 and this Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebrated the 77th birthday of the Jewish State.

The Chidon took place, as it does every year, at the Jerusalem Theater. Among the judges was Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Tzvika Mor, the father of Eitan Mor, who is among the 59 hostages still being held in Gaza. The panel of judges also included parents of kidnapped children, relatives of fallen soldiers from the Israel-Hamas war, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, and Education Minister Yoav Kish. The quiz was moderated by television presenter Sara Bek.

The judges were a reflection of the current Israeli reality during wartime. But all of them spoke of hope, miracles, strength and the power of unity. Other judges included Yael Nizri, who lost her son, Major Guy Nizri, in the current war; Liron Ben Moshe, the winner of the Bible quiz and the writer of the questions for the quiz, who lost his brother Ariel Ben Moshe in the war; Noa Meital Tobiana, a Bible teacher in Tzfat, who is visually impaired; and Eviatar Bar Gil, the winner of the previous quiz, who was a student of Yossi Hershkowitz, who fell as a reserve soldier in the war.

Chidon counselor Yishai Shatz is in his second year coaching students competing in the competition. He said it was one of the strongest years ever. Ishay’s family were on shlichut to New Jersey for Bnei Akivah when he was born. His grandparents made aliyah from New York and his family returned to Israel when he was 3. He himself participated in the Chidon in 2023.

There’s something about the Chidon that makes people come back wanting more. Often it’s a multigenerational family affair. Joshua (Shua) Jaffe, a 10th-grade student at Maimonides School in Boston, was one of the youngest contenders. He had eight members of his family present, representing four generations. His parents, Yaakov and Yael, both participated in the Chidon HaTanach in the 1990s, a year apart. And his father said it played a role in their getting together.

“I started doing Chidon HaTanach just to add a bit more Torah into my life,” Shua said. “Learning Tanach is really fun, valuable and useful. Everyone should.”

The other two American contestants were Ariella Mannes, a 12th-grade student at Yeshiva of Greater Washington, and Eytan Rosenstock of SAR High school. All four Americans moved forward as top 16 finalists, and all did their country proud. The finalists comprised nine girls and six boys, and included students from Israel, the U.K., the USA, South Africa, Mexico, Panama and Canada, selected from participants from 17 countries. Eytan and Shua also continued with Ilan to the second round.

Ilan said: “While there are many things I gain from learning for the Chidon—knowledge, connection to Hashem and close friendships with Torah scholars from around the world—that’s not why I do Chidon. I study to prove to myself that I have the resolve to do whatever I set my mind to, and to show myself that I am not a static Torah learner.”

Elad Yanir of Israel was the winner of this year’s Chidon. It usually comes down to a showdown between Israel and the United States but like most, the American contestants all answered their questions in Hebrew, not relying on the interpreter.

Ariella Mannes was the only female American finalist. She said: “The Chidon to me was a gift straight from Hashem. I never would have thought I could do the Chidon, and definitely not that I would ever make it this far. But I love Torah and I love learning and applying it to my life in every situation. I’m so proud of all the hours of time I put in and for who it has made me today.”

Eytan Rosenstock said: “Learning for the Chidon and being in Israel for the Chidon Camp has given me a deeper appreciation for our people’s history and values. Also, the more I study Tanach, the more I realize how much I have yet to learn. My learning will definitely not end after the Chidon; it is a lifelong journey that is only just starting.”

Excitement, enthusiasm—and the decibel level—are always high at this event because most of the audience is there to support one or more of the contestants. And, of course, because everyone’s excited to be in Jerusalem, in Israel, on Yom Ha’Atzmaut.

Rabbi Yair Shahak, the chair of the Hebrew and world languages department at

The Frisch School, expressed enthusiasm about Ilan’s second-place win: “This is an incredible accomplishment, requiring years of study and mastery over 400 chapters of Tanach. It is incredibly rare for a non-Israeli to make it to the final round; it speaks to Ilan’s incredible commitment to Tanach study throughout the course of his education. Mazal tov!”

Before the contest began, Ilan said, “After seven years of learning for the Chidon, I finally feel I have enough background to start learning Torah.”

Rosally Saltsman is a freelance writer, originally from Montreal, who lives in Israel. Come join her!