Bible quiz winner fifth in her family to score
The Zionist Federation of Australia’s Federal Bible Quiz took place took place recently in Melbourne with the winner joining three siblings who have won the prize and a fourth who was runner-up.
Chana Zinn, Chaya Leah Kaltman, Chani Charak, Ruth Slonimsky
In what turned out to be an extremely close competition, Chaya Leah Kaltmann, was declared winner of the 2014 Victorian Bible Quiz.
Audience members were left on the edge of their seats as regional winners from Melbourne and Sydney battled for the national championship, a trip to Israel and the opportunity to represent Australia in the world competition in 2015.
Chaya Leah (Lele) Kaltmann (Beth Rivka Ladies College) took out first place by a mere 3 points. Coming in second place was Chani Charak (Kesser Torah College). Third and fourth place were taken by Chana Zinn (Kesser Torah College) and Ruth Slonimsky (Beth Rivka Ladies College) respectively.
Chaya Leah has most definitely followed in the footsteps of her siblings. Nomi, her older sister won the National Bible Quiz in 2007, her brother Doovie was runner-up in 2008, her sister Sara won the National quiz in 2009 as did her brother Eli in 2010.
Lele and Chani will participate in the Chidon Tanach Camp and represent Australia in Israel on Yom Ha’atzmaut in the worldwide Chidon Hatanach – competing against contestants from Israel and other diaspora communities, which will be televised live on Israeli TV. In addition to the thrill of the international competition, the Israel experience includes a touring and learning program, together with the other contestants.
Deena Kaltmann, the mother of Chaya Leah, is beaming with pride on the achievement of her daughter and the rest of her children: “I’m immensely proud of the effort that my children have put in to study Tanach. Lele worked incredibly hard, she put in literally hundreds of hours and had the support of her 4 siblings who helped her win yesterday – it became a group effort.”ZFA Executive Director Ginette Searle said: “The 2014 quiz marks the first time in several years that we’ve held a national quiz following state contests in Melbourne and Sydney. The level of dedication and knowledge and the passion that these four young women have demonstrated is truly inspirational.”
The ZFA is proud to have been associated with the Bible Quiz over many decades, encouraging the study of Tanach and its integral connection with Israel. Whilst on the Chidon Tanach camp, Chaya Leah and Chani will see first hand the places about which they’ve studied so hard, together with people who, like them, enjoy a passion for Tanach learning.
The International Diaspora Quiz is based on 400 chapters of Tanach and the winner receives a scholarship to Machon Lev, the Jerusalem College of Technology.
We thank Shira Bloch, the chief examiner and test writer, who was herself a former winner of the Australian Bible Quiz and a high-ranking competitor in the world quiz. Quiz adjudicators Michelle Feiglin and Tallilah May also have several decades between them of involvement in the quiz and a deep commitment to developing the love of Tanach and Israel in our youth.
The Quizmaster, Rabbi Ian Goodhardt, moderated the oral and public segment of the quiz.
