Jacob Friedman Holocaust Writing and Art Contest 2010

View the winners!

Over 750 students participated in the contest!  Thank you to all who entered! 
Which schools and teachers participated?

 

Download Contest Flyer (pdf)

Contest Topic

Anne Frank’s diary is read by students throughout the world. Anne’s story of hiding in an attic during the Holocaust and her inspirational words have brought together peoples from all over the world.

In her diary, Anne writes about a tree growing outside her window. In order to preserve the legacy of the aging tree, saplings were grown. The Holocaust Center, in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation applied to the Anne Frank Center USA for one of the saplings—and Seattle was selected! Only 11 places in the United States will receive saplings. (Read more about Seattle and the Anne Frank Tree sapling.)

Anne Frank’s diary portrays a young girl who had hope, courage and optimism in the face of incredible adversity. The Anne Frank tree sapling, to be planted in Volunteer Park in Seattle, represents our hope to create a world where we respect and value each other’s differences, and where we realize the power of what can be accomplished when we come together.

How would your life be different if people were more respectful and tolerant each other’s differences?  How does change begin with you?

Writing – Please respond in 2000 words or less. Please see below for guidelines.

Art - Any size paper or canvas, but not larger than 18 inches x 24 inches, and must be flat. Media can include (but not limited to) pencil, charcoal, crayon, ink, paint, collage, photography. Attach an artist’s statement (a description of your piece, not more than 100 words. Please see below for guidelines.

Photos at right: (top) Anne Frank; (middle) Anne Frank tree in Amsteram. Anne looked out at the large Horse Chestnut tree from an attic at left. Photo by Peter DeJong/Associated Press; (bottom) "Change begins with me" sticker. Students who participate will receive stickers.

To Enter

All entries must include either a submission form or the information requested in the submission form at the top of the entry.

1. Writing—Email entry (in Word doc or pdf) with submission form. ting—Email entry (in Word doc or pdf) with submission form.

2. Writing—If a teacher is submitting multiple entries on behalf of a class, it is preferred that you mail a cd with the entries. Each entry must contain info requested on submission form.

3. Writing—If unable to email entry or send in an electronic version, please mail a hard copy.

4. Art—Mail entries with submission forms.

Email submissions to: ilanak@wsherc.org —Subject Line: Writing/Art Contest Entry

Mail submissions to: Holocaust Center, Attn: Writing/Art Contest, 2031 Third Ave., Seattle, WA 98121

Submission Form

The following information must be included (preferably in this layout) on your entry at the top.  Or, attach the submission form to your entry.

Contestant Name:
Grade:
School:
School Address:
School City, State, Zip:
Teacher's Name:
Teacher's Email Address:
Contestant's email or phone number (in case we need to contact you):

Please indicate that you agree to the following:  I have read and understand the rules and regulations of this contest and I understand that the Holocaust Center will not return my entry. I also understand that the Holocaust Center reserves the right to reproduce, publish, or exhibit any entry.

Submission form can also be found on the contest flyer or click here to fill out the submission form (word document) and print or save it.

Contest Guidelines

Writing - Guidelines for Submissions
I have completed and attached a submission form, or the information requested is at the top of my entry.
My entry is typed and/or is in MS Word document or a pdf file.
I listed any resources (books, movies, websites) I used to help me write this entry at the end of my paper.
I numbered my pages.
My entry is not more than 2000 words.

Art - Guidelines for Submissions
I have attached a completed submission form to my entry.
My entry is not larger than 18 inches x 24 inches and is flat (paper or canvas).
I have written an artist’s statement (a description about my piece) not more than 100 words.
The statement is on the back or attached to my entry. Statement is required.
If I used chalk, charcoal, pastels, or anything that smudges, I used fixatives.

Additional Guidelines:
**If you want your entry returned, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
**Students may enter one entry into each of the writing and art sections of the contest.
**Submission forms - can be found here.
**Each entry must represent the independent effort of the writer/artist.
**Entries that do not follow the guidelines, or that do not include a completed submission form will be disqualified.
**A selection of art entries will be on display at the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day program on April 11, 2010.
**Art entries that depict large swastikas will not be displayed.
**Entries will become the property of the Holocaust Center. The Center reserves the right to publish and/or display all work.
**Three winning entries will be chosen from each of the following groups: ¨Writing 5th/6th grade, Writing 7th/8th grade, Writing 9th-12th grade, Art 5th/6th grade, Art 7th/8th grade, Art 9th-12th grade. Teachers with students who place will each receive a small prize

What are the judges looking for?

A panel of judges will review the entries. Judges are educators, artists, and writers of various faiths and backgrounds. They will be looking for creativity, thoughtfulness, and an understanding of the question. Connections to the Anne Frank tree, Anne Frank, and the Holocaust are encouraged. Judges will also be looking for proper spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Resources

What was the Holocaust? The Holocaust refers to a specific event during the 20th century. It was the state-sponsored, systematic persecution and destruction of European Jewish people by the Nazis and their collaborators (helpers) between 1933 and 1945. While Jews were the primary target of Nazi hatred, the Nazis also persecuted and murdered Roma Sinti (Gypsies), Jehovah’s Witnesses, Poles, and people with disabilities. Six million Jews (two-thirds of the European Jewish population) and millions of others were murdered in the Holocaust.

Suggested websites

• Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center - www.wsherc.org or click here to go directly to the stories of local Holocaust survivors.
• Anne Frank Tree Saplings and Seattle - www.wsherc.org/programs/highlights.aspx
• Anne Frank Center  USA - www.annefrank.com
• Anne Frank House - Amsterdam - www.annefrank.org  
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum - www.ushmm.org.
• Jewish Foundation for the Righteous—www.jfr.org.
• Yad Vashem, Jerusalem—www.yadvashem.org.
• Jewish Partisans Educational Foundation—www.jewishpartisans.org.
• USC Shoah Foundation Institute - http://college.usc.edu/vhi/

See the 2009 winning entries
2009 Contest Flyer