Masha Shepelevich, 16, of Minsk, Belarus, made history by becoming the first contestant from the FSU ever to win, or reach a top-3 spot in, the International Bible Quiz. The International Bible Quiz, co-sponsored by The Jewish Agency, engages thousands of young people around the world in Bible studies each year. The Jewish Agency arranges for several dozen of those in the final rounds to gather in Israel for a 2.5-week Tanach Camp.
Masha was brought to Israel by a remarkable collaboration between two units of The Jewish Agency for Israel—the Russian Speaking Jewry Unit, and the Partnership Unit, responsible for organizing the Bible Contest. She is now the fifth participant from her family to take part in the Bible Contest. It’s become a family tradition.
The Shepelevich family has a long connection to The Jewish Agency programs in the Former Soviet Union (FSU). Masha and her seven siblings are very active members of the Jewish community in her hometown. They are involved in the local theatre group that is representing Grodno at the annual Purimshpil theatre competition. Masha’s older brother Misha has joined The Jewish Agency’s ELI – Educational Leadership Institute to become a counselor at one of its Jewish camps in the FSU.
We spoke with Masha and here is what she had to say about this amazing achievement:
”Tanakh is a big part of my family’s tradition and I already knew many passages, which, helped a lot. Although I did most of my studying by myself, my mom, Marina, and dad, Michael, along with my entire family, helped and supported me all the way—from the local contest in Grodno, to the international Bible Contest in Jerusalem.
Participating in the International Bible Contest was in incredible experience! Beyond the excitement of this huge honor, I had a one-time opportunity to meet many Jews from all over the world and see that we all belong to one global Jewish family. I was also able to visit and experience Israel for the first time.“
