IMPORTANT NOTE TO LEVEL 1 CONTESTANTS - Updated March 5, 2023
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We apologize for this inconvenience.
Established in 1955, the Morris J. and Betty Kaplun Foundation is a nonprofit philanthropic organization underscoring the humanitarian and Jewish concerns of its founders. The Kapluns were refugees from Nazi persecution and dedicated their lives to a variety of philanthropic causes. The Foundation Board of Trustees endeavors to continue their good work. We encourage young people to treasure our shared Jewish heritage, reflect on Jewish values, and better understand Jewish contribution to civilization and culture. To this effort, the Foundation sponsors an annual essay contest open to both junior high and high school students all over the world. All entrants in grades 8 and above will be invited to join the 2023-24 Kaplun Foundation Youth Board.
Essay topics
Level 1 – Grades 7, 8, 9
The reward for fulfilling the fifth of the Ten Commandments is very great, as stated in the Torah: "Honor your father and your mother, that you may long endure on the land that the Eternal your God is assigning to you." (Exodus 20:12) Describe a time when you found it especially difficult to honor your father or your mother. What made it so hard? What did you do? Looking back now, would you have behaved differently? Why?
Level 2 – Grades 10, 11, 12
Describe an incident of anti-Semitism or anti-Zionism that occurred recently on a college campus. How did the Jewish/non-Jewish students/administration react? What would you have done in the immediate situation and later?