Bible Quiz Winner Reveals: "This is How Many Hours I Dedicated Daily to Studying"

Anyone following the recent world Bible Quiz on Independence Day couldn't help but get swept up in the excitement and pressure, from the opening moments to the final stage where two candidates competed head-to-head, ultimately leading to Emunah Cohen being declared the Bible Quiz Winner.

Talking to Emunah this week, just days after her big win, she still sounds excited. "My life seemingly continues as usual," she says, "I'm still the same Emunah, 17, living in Netsarim and studying in 11th grade at Beit Raanan. I continue being the sandwich child among nine siblings, and life goes on almost as usual. But just almost, because something very substantial has changed. The victory has become an inseparable part of me, and when I go out in the street, almost everyone recognizes me, points at me, or even stops and asks: 'Can I ask you a question about the Bible?'"

Three Years of Study

When did you decide to compete in the quiz?

Emunah manages to surprise: "Unlike other winners, I never felt a special connection to Bible studies. I wasn't particularly interested in the quiz, and rarely watched it. Three years ago, I happened to listen to the quiz on Independence Day via the radio, without even seeing it, and heard Ruth Cohen being declared the winner. Ruth studied at Beit Raanan, like me. She was sixteen, and it sparked a strong desire in me to try too. I thought to myself: 'If she can do it, so can I,' and that's when I started to seriously consider the idea. In those days, I began to study with the goal of participating in the quiz and fulfilling a dream. But as time went on, an interesting thing happened - the more I studied, the more I connected with the Bible and discovered a deep love for it, one I hadn't known before. Since then, it goes with me everywhere, and we are inseparable; it has become a part of my life, a part of my essence."

You mentioned you started preparing three years ago. What did your studies look like?

"It was three years of relentless study. Many past winners helped and guided me, and I also developed my own learning methods. I usually studied six or seven hours a day, but there were days when I studied for ten hours.

"The biggest challenge was, of course, perseverance. We all know that if we have a test tomorrow morning, we study for several hours, cram the material, and come prepared. But when you're three years away from the quiz, you must have a very strong willpower to study and persist every day, knowing that you're studying for the very long term, while the goal seems almost out of sight."

(Photo: Sivan Shachor)

Did it come at the expense of other things?

"Of course, it came at the expense of other things. I study in a boarding school, and it often happened that I had to study during classes or give up participating in various activities because of the study. The big sacrifices came mainly in the last months when I studied every day from morning till evening. But still, even during that period, I tried to leave time for family and friends, continued to guide at the branch, and did not give up significant things. I did everything possible along the way and generally succeeded."

What did your family think about this?

"The truth is that my dad was the one who pushed me from the beginning, he really wanted me to participate in the quiz and believed in me all along, but the other family members didn't quite understand the significance of participating. At first, no one saw real value in what I was doing, and I heard quite a lot around me: 'What are you doing to yourself? Leave the quiz!' It took time for them to realize that I genuinely loved it and was serious; then they began to encourage more, and in the period before the quiz, they tried very hard to give me peace and allow me all the time to study. For example, I did not clean for Passover at all; everyone really considered me."

Did you always believe you would become the Bible Quiz Winner?

"I tried to believe, but there were moments of despair and long periods where I barely studied due to lack of motivation and thinking that I really had no chance. But very quickly, I would recover and continue studying, convincing myself that it would eventually happen."

And if it hadn't happened?

"As the quiz approached, I prepared myself for that possibility as well, but the truth is that the evening before the quiz I told myself in my heart that I couldn't imagine not coming out of the quiz as the winner. I still knew that might happen, and I also understood that I was taking a big risk because if I didn't win, I would certainly be disappointed. But if you don't take risks, you can't succeed."

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Moment

Tell us about the quiz itself. What goes through your mind when you start answering the questions?

"When I arrived at the quiz, I tried to ignore everything around me - the cameras, the audience, the prime minister, the ministers, and of course all of Israel watching from home. I tried to disconnect from the situation and just feel that this was my moment, the moment when I fulfill a dream, and try to just enjoy it. In the end, I can really say that I enjoyed it. Amidst all the surrounding pressure, I managed to feel confident on stage and happy. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it was important for me to experience it to the fullest."

(Photo: Sivan Shachor)

How were the questions at the quiz? Did you feel they were trying to trip you up?

"The questions weren't very easy, but I practiced most of them during my studies, and I'm familiar with their style. By the way, Neta Lax, who was chosen as the Bible Quiz runner-up, knew these questions well too, as we studied and prepared together. We've known each other for two years and are very good friends."

Did you know each other because of the quiz?

"Yes, we first met through the quiz's WhatsApp group, participated together in Zoom meetings for quiz participants, and met and studied a lot together, messaging and asking each other questions. About a week before the quiz, there was a camp for quiz participants, where we studied together the whole time. Both of us were determined to win, and the truth is we dreamed of winning together. It's not that I knew more or she knew less, as you could see, it was a fraction of a point, and in a moment, it could have been different. Both of us believe that this is what Hashem wanted to happen, and it's the most precise outcome. By the way, Neta is not only a partner in the victory but also remains a very close friend of mine, and I am sure we'll continue to maintain a good connection in the future with Hashem's help."

Looking Ahead

The day after the quiz is what Emunah defines as "a transition from sacred to mundane." "I'm trying to return to routine, but I can't," she admits. "Everywhere I go, people stop me and recognize me. It's a bit embarrassing, but also very joyful because it shows how important the Bible is to people and that they value it. Over the weekend, I went on a hike and met a group from a secular school. Their guide recognized me instantly and told everyone: 'This is Emunah, the Bible Quiz Winner,' and even asked me to 'Come bless them, teach them how to study the Bible.' Moment by moment, it becomes clearer to me that beyond achieving a personal dream, I have a mission here, something bigger, and I really hope I'll succeed in fulfilling it."

And what are your plans for the future?

"In the coming period, I intend to complete my exams and dedicate more time to friendships and various obligations that I haven't attended to recently. But in general, I aim to continue engaging with the Bible in every possible way. Maybe I'll open a Bible study group in the Ulpana, perhaps work as a Bible teacher in the future, and possibly even become part of the quiz team, all from a genuine desire to make more people love the Bible and simply connect to it, like me."