The winner of the annual International Bible Quiz this year kept her family's tradition by following in her father's footsteps 27 years later. Or Ashoel of Kfar Saba, 17, defeated 15 competitors to take first prize in the contest -- an achievement first accomplished by her father Shimon when he was a teen.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was also a proud father after judges announced that his son Avner had won third place. “I was very excited together with my wife, for our son. It's only natural,” said the prime minister, who added that he was “deeply impressed” with the two top winners.
First runner-up was Elad Nachshon.
Avner Netanyahu had attracted much media attention due to his family ties, reaching the finals and correctly answering the first two questions to face the Prime Minister's Question.
As a result of his background, he was given a question written by the main query writer, Neria Pinchas instead, and was provided only a partial answer, which stopped him from going further.
The prime minister and Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar also announced that adults will once again also have the opportunity to compete as well, when the Adult Bible Competition is renewed. The contest was abandoned 30 years ago.
Video - Jewish music singer Udi Davidi performs at the event: