The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation is inviting students in grades 7-12 in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties and western Pennsylvania to enter its annual Holocaust writing, art and multimedia contest.
The contest is held in conjunction with Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Memorial Day), an internationally recognized day set aside for remembering all victims of the Holocaust. This year, it will be commemorated on Tuesday, April 14.
Contest theme
The theme for the contest is “When Time Stood Still: The Fate of Jewish Families and Communities During the Holocaust.” The theme is inspired by an 18-panel exhibit from Yad Vashem that highlights how each of the 6-million victims was more than a number. Every individual had a unique identity—a life filled with hopes, fears, dreams, ambitions, and, most importantly, family. Though countless families were torn apart, their bonds remain unbroken in memory. Even in the darkest moments, it was love—especially the love of family—that sustained the human spirit.
All submissions must reflect the theme and explore the role and impact of family and community in the lives of Holocaust victims and survivors—before, during and (for those who survived) after the Holocaust. Entries should demonstrate how family was a source of strength, resilience or loss—and how these individuals and their loved ones were impacted or remembered.
The contest encourages students to draw inspiration from local survivor testimonies, which are available for free through the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation website – jewishyoungstown.org. Visit jewishyoungstown.org/holocaustcontest for submission guidelines and more information.
Contest awards will be presented during the Yom Hashoah Community Commemoration at noon on Tuesday, April 14 at the Mahoning County Courthouse. All are also invited to the Shoah Memorial Service (4 p.m., Sunday, April 19) at the Jewish Community Center.
The Jewish Community Relations Council represents the Jewish communities of Mahoning and Trumbull counties in Ohio and Mercer and Lawrence counties in Pennsylvania to safeguard the rights of Jews here, in Israel, and around the world. It’s an agency of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation. To learn more, visit jewishyoungstown.org.
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