Essay Topics

Select one of the essay topics below:

1. Research a question about a Judaic topic that interests you. Essay should include the answer as well as its rationale. (e.g.: Does Hashem expect us to work for success or to rely on him alone?)
2. Explain how a major Jewish event influences your life. (e.g.: Yetzias Mitzrayim, Matan Torah,  the Holocaust, the Spanish Inquisition)
3. Create a poem, play, speech, memoir, personal essay, journal, diary, short story, letter or other type of creative writing on a Jewish theme, idea, personality, event, or holiday. Be sure to include details, facts, customs, etc. to illustrate your knowledge of the subject.
4. Explain a tefilah (prayer) from the Siddur and its special meaning to you and the role it plays in your life.
5. Explain a difficult passage from Tanach. Present a minimum of two resolutions to the problem. (e.g.: How did the Jews make an Eigel, Golden Calf, just 40 days after Har Sinai?)
6. Describe a modern problem and show how our sacred texts deal with the problem. (e.g.: Sanctity of Human Life; Anti-Semitism; Sanctity of Marriage; Environment; Social Justice)

Essay Contest Rules – click here.

Length of essay: 150-500 words

All essay submissions must include an essay title, first name, last name, home address (include city, state, zip, and apartment # when applicable), email address (student or parent), grade and school in order to be eligible.

Hand-written submissions must be legible, done in blue or black ink, and written on one side of the paper.

All submitted essays are the property of the ATT and may be published in an ATT publication. Please retain a copy of your submission for your records. Winners may be requested to resubmit their essays electronically.

Essays may be submitted by Wednesday, January 15, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. by mail, email or in the online form below

Mail:
ATT – Pogrund Family Essay Contest
3531 Madison Street
Skokie, IL 60076

Email:  
pogrundessayart@att.org

Online:
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For Teachers Only:

• Include the Pogrund Family Essay class cover sheet with your class submissions.
• Have each student include an essay title, his/her first and last name, home address (include city, state, zip and apartment # when applicable), email address (student or parent), grade, and school on all pages of his/her submission.
• If submissions are hand-written, essays must be legible, done in blue/black ink, and written on only one side of the paper.