2024 Writing Competition Winners

2023 Writing Competition Winners

2022 Writing Competition Winners and Participants

2021 Writing Competition Winners

2019 Writing Competition Winners

2018 Writing Competition Winners

The Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies at Wayne State University returns for the Ninth Annual Writing Competition for high school students in the Metro-Detroit area.

Students in ninth through twelfth grades are invited to submit an original work of poetry, prose, or non-fiction that deals with one of the themes listed below. The best submission in each category will be awarded a cash prize of $500, with awards of $100 for honorable mentions in each category. In addition, award winning entrees will be published online.

Competition Guidelines

1. Eligible students must be currently enrolled in grades 9-12 in the Metro-Detroit area
2. One entry per student
3.  There is no minimum or maximum word-count or length for submissions. Suggested length is between 500 and 2000 words
4. Submissions must be the student's own original work
5. Submissions must be typed, double-spaced, and proofread thoroughly
6. All judge's decisions are final
7. The competition deadline is May 1st, 2024
8. Please print out and mail a hard copy of your essay to:

                          Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies
                          2311 Faculty/Admin. Building
                          656 W. Kirby Detroit, MI 48202

                          **Mailed in essays must be postmarked by May 1st, 2024**

        9. Please download and complete the entry form and attach to your submission

2023 Suggested Topics and Themes

• "Why is democracy good for Jews?"
• "The importance of critical thinking"
• "'What is the best way to combat Anti-semitism?"
• "What does it mean to be Jewish in the 21st century?"
• "Does Judaism have a diversity requirement"?
• "What does 'proud to be a Jew' mean in 2021"?
• "There is more than one way to be Jewish?"
• "Lessons from Jewish history that are relevant today"
• "The Jewish family is an essential feature of Jewish Life"
• "Jews have survived as a People because . . ."

If you have any questions, contact the Director: howard.lupovitch@wayne.edu