We all probably would have been just a bit more motivated in college if turning in a paper meant the chance to: win a 
round-trip ticket to Israel, meet with a prominent Israeli female leader, have your work published in the American Jewish World and be featured on The Jerusalem Post and www.jewishminnesota.comorg websites. Now you have just that chance with the Beyond Golda: Celebrating Women in Israel Essay Contest.
The contest asks young adults aged 16-30 to think beyond Golda (Meir, that is) and write an essay about women in Israel. You can focus on an individual woman or address a general issue affecting Israeli women.
Noga Shavit, the Israeli shlicha (emissary) to Minneapolis, hopes the contest will help strengthen the connection contestants feel to Israel through their research. Alisa Warshavsky, St. Paul’s “young” shlicha, is also excited about the contest. She thinks it’s a great opportunity for other young adults to identify with Israeli women and better understand both the opportunities and challenges they face.
Essays will be judged on originality, creativity, organization, comprehension and writing. With a minimum of 3 pages and a maximum of 5 pages, the essay is actually pretty manageable. Yes, the guidelines bring flashbacks of college finals requirements, but the prizes are certainly better than an A!
In addition to the first place prize, 2nd prize wins a six-month membership to either the Sabes JCC in Minneapolis or the St. Paul JCC (winner’s choice), and 3rd prize wins a $200 Barnes & Noble gift card. All winners will be presented their awards by Orli Gil, Israel’s Consul General to the Midwest, at a special ceremony on March 9th.
The deadline is January 17th, so get outlining now – good luck!
The contest is presented by The Israel Program Center of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, Sabes JCC, St. Paul JCC and the United Jewish Fund and Council of St. Paul. The American Jewish World is the media sponsor. Co-sponsors include the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest, Hadassah Upper Midwest Region, The Jerusalem Post, MASA, National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Minneapolis Section; National Council of Jewish Women, St. Paul Section and US Airways.
