A trio of Hasmonean High School pupils will have a chance to represent the UK at the International Bible Quiz, in Jerusalem in spring after clinching the top slots in the national round.

Forty-three students from years seven to 11 took part in the local contest at the Pillar Hotel in Hendon after a year of hard study.

Those in the junior stream, from years seven to nine, had to master 63 chapters from various parts of the Bible, while the seniors in year 10 and 11 were faced with 261 chapters.

After a written test, the top 12 juniors and the top 10 seniors went through to a verbal quiz.

The seniors were expected to answer questions such as “who saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead” or which nation “burned their children in fire unto Adrammelech and Anammelech”.

In the junior section, Orly Maierovits was the overall winner, with Sara Solomon runner-up, both from Hasmonean High School for Girls.

In the seniors, another Hasmo girl, Batsheva Schwab came first, with Reuven Simcha Garber, from Hasmonean Boys, second and Avigayil Rowe, from Hasmonean Girls third.

Students from Immanuel College and from the Yavneh boys’ and girls’ sections of King David High School, Manchester also participated.

The three top seniors will enjoy a two-week stay in Israel at the competition’s international Bible camp, joining 80 finalists from over 40 countries. The best will then go on to the world youth contest, which takes place on Israel’s Independence Day.

Internationally, the programme is backed by the Jewish Agency and Israel’s Ministry of Education, while Hasmonean’s Rabbi Eliyahu Silverman helped to stage the British event.

The London quiz was sponsored in memory of the late Martin Maierovits by his family. His granddaughter Ilana, a year-11 Hasmonean student, took part in last year’s Bible contest in Israel.

It was “a life-changing experience,” she said. “I am forever grateful to my parents and teachers who encouraged me to study Tanach and made it possible for me to take part in this most amazing experience.

“I would encourage anyone who can to get involved.”