MSJE Middle School Writing Contest

The MSJE Middle School Writing Contest is made possible through a generous grant from the Bruce J. Heim Foundation.

2026 Essay Contest Winners

Imagine there is a new student in your class who recently arrived in the United States. If you wanted them to help them feel more comfortable in their new school, what three customs, traditions, or values would you tell them about the school to make their transition easier. Share why you think it is helpful for them to know about those three things. Then write three questions you would ask to get to know about what three important traditions, values or items they are bringing with them. Finally, write about why you are interested in learning about their cultures and traditions.

First Place: Chase Z., "The New Kid"

Second Place: Matthew E., "Making a New Student Feel at Home"

Third Place: Lucy T., "Swimming Upstream

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2025 Essay Contest Winners:

1. Imagine that you have dug up a time capsule from a relative who was your age 100 years ago. In that time capsule, there are 3 items and a letter. What might the letter say? What 3 items might they have included to tell you about their time, and why?

2. Next, prepare to send the time capsule back in time (yes, it’s a time-traveling time capsule) to that relative with a letter of your own and 3 items that represent your time.

First Place: Laizer F, "The Clock"

Second Place: Thomas K, "A Brief Window into Time"

Third Place: Adeline M, "My Great-Great-Bubbie"

2024 Essay Contest Winners:

1st Place: Aydin S., Columbia, SC., "RE: National Historic Park Campaign..."

2nd Place: Netanya Victoria H., New Orleans, LA., "Dear Congressman Carter..."

3rd Place: Emzi F., New Orleans, LA., "Dear Honorable Troy Carter..."

2023 Essay Contest Winners:

Which Three Artifacts Would You Put In YOUR Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience?

1st Place: Leah S., Virginia Beach, VA, “My Southern Jewish Experience”

2nd Place: Dylan R., Nashville, TN, “Jewish Christian Crossroads in the South: A Middle Schooler’s Perspective”

3rd Place: Ezra H., New Orleans, LA, “My MSJE”