Etgar, the UK-based education organisation, is planning to stage the largest international online quiz on Israel for families to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut later this month.

At 4pm on April 29, Yom Ha’atmzaut, participants from around the world will be able to take part in the live challenge on how much they know about Israel.

“We want all ages to participate —families, young adults and seniors. Everyone can compete as individuals or as teams,” said Etgar co-founder Jo Rosenfelder.

A couple of years ago, the organisation — whose annual Jewish knowledge quiz for Jewish primary schools in the UK has inspired similar events by other communities — launched a spin-off contest about Israel for secondary schools.

But the conoravirus crisis has forced it to cancel this  year’s Israel event for schools so it is holding the online competition instead.

“The questions will cover Israel’s history, politics, music and culture. You’ll need a broad knowledge to answer all the questions, so competing as a team will help,” said Adam Taub, Etgar’s other co-founder.

The quiz, which they hope will attract thousands, is using the popular Kahoot app. “We have been working with the team at Kahoot to ensure that up to 10,000 people or teams can compete,” he said, “They have never run a quiz this large before.”

In order to guarantee a place, participants are asked to register in advance.

Once they do, they will get access online to the Etgar Handbook — and the opportunity to prepare for the competition.

“It is truly a cross-communal event,” Ms Rosenfelder said. “It is supported by dozens of Zionist and Jewish organisations around the world including the Sochnut [Jewish Agency], the Israel Foreign Ministry, the Chief Rabbi of the UK, Mizrachi, the Reform movement, Masorti and JNF UK.  “We can promise it will be fun, engaging, and suitable for all age groups from age 10 upwards.”

The original contest for schools on Israel was aimed to encourage secondary students to acquire a basic knowledge of the history and culture of the country— which was not always covered in the formal syllabus.

You can register for the free event here