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Israel Bible Quiz Finalist Is A Messianic, Stirring Intense Controversy

By Howard Friedman

In Israel, the state-run International Bible Quiz, sponsored jointly by the army and the Education Ministry, is a highlight of each Independence Day celebration. Jewish Agency representatives in 30 countries organize regional competitions to select teenagers who will take part in the final rounds. The Forward yesterday reported that as Israel's 60th birthday approaches on Thursday, an intense battle has broken out over whether 17-year old Bat-El Levy, one of Israel's four finalists, should be permitted to continue to compete. Contest rules limit participation to those who are Jewish. Levy, it turns out, is from a messianic Jewish family. Messianics are considered to be Christians by most Jews. However the teenager is listed as Jewish in her state identification papers. Also her mother is Jewish, so she meets the strict halachic (Jewish Law) definition of who is a Jew. Attorneys for the Bible Quiz say there is no basis to challenge her Jewishness.

Messianics claim they are subject to constant prejudice in Israel. They say that the anti-missionary organization, Yad L'Achim, is particularly attempting to marginalize them. After Bible Quiz authorities refused to disqualify Levy, a dozen influential rabbis issued a statement calling for contestants and spectators to boycott the Bible contest. In a related development, last month 12 Messianics whose fathers were Jewish, but whose mothers were not, were granted Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return. (See prior posting.)

Full post as published by Religion Clause on May 07, 2008 (boomark / email).