The Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center and the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center (HERC) are proud to partner each year on a contest that encourages middle and high school aged students to draw lessons from the Holocaust. This contest is generously sponsored by the The Mimi & Robert Habush Donor Advised Fund.
2025 Holocaust Writing & Art Contest Guidelines
Eligible Participants: 7-12th grade Wisconsin students
PROMPT: “To forget would be not only dangerous but offensive; to forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time.” -Elie Wiesel
Why is it important to remember the Holocaust? How can remembrance shape our understanding of the past and influence the future?
DEADLINE: Friday, March 14, 2025, at 11:59 pm CST
*Only accepting applicants from Wisconsin schools.
Original writing or art entry may be one of the following:
Essay (not to exceed 3 pages, single-spaced)
Poetry (single poem or collection of poems, not to exceed 3 pages, single-spaced)
Short Story (not to exceed 3 pages, single-spaced)
Film/Video (maximum length: 5 minutes)
Visual Art (painting, drawing, collage, etc.)
Sculpture
Comic Book
Podcast/Social Media (maximum length: 5 minutes)
All works must be submitted digitally. Other than poetry, entries are limited to a single object (sculpture entries may include up to four images from different angles).
Artist’s Statement: All entries must include an artist’s statement, 50-200 words, in which you identify your inspiration for the piece and the takeaway you would like the audience to have.
Judging Criteria: Each entry will be judged with the following criteria in mind and using this scoring rubric:
· Offers a clear lesson from the Holocaust and connects it to present-day
· Presents accurate historical facts
· Reflects artistry and skill
· Demonstrates originality and creative representation of the theme
Prizes: There will be 4 grand prize winners, two in the writing category and two in the art category. These four grand prize winners will be taken to Washington DC to visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Teachers of the four grand prize winners will receive a $100 gift.
All winners will be featured on the website of the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center and in the Milwaukee Jewish Chronicle.
Instructions: Submit the writing or art via the submission form by Friday, March 14, 2025, at 11:59 pm CST. Please make sure submissions do not contain any identifying information for the student, teacher, or school.
More Information: Contact Jennifer Koss, Education Coordinator at the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center at 414-963-2711 or jenniferk@milwaukeejewish.org.
Past Winning Submissions
2017
2016
2015
Some of the materials for the Writing and Art contest have been adapted from Chapman University’s Holocaust Art and Writing Contest, presented by the Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education, in partnership with The 1939 Society. We are grateful for their support and collaboration.