Hadassah Magazine and jGirls+ Magazine, a program of Moving Traditions, invite you to submit to our seventh annual teen essay contest, which this year asks you to:  

Share an experience of intergenerational Jewish joy.

The contest is open to self-identifying Jewish girls, young women and nonbinary teens between the ages of 13 and 19 who reside in the United States, the District of Columbia and the State of Israel, except where prohibited by law. 

Deadline for submission is Oct 14, 2026.  

The winner will receive a $300 educational scholarship, and the winning essay will be published in Hadassah Magazine, both in print and online, and in jGirls+ Magazine. The prize also includes a one-year subscription to Hadassah Magazine. 

For details and guidelines, click here. To download the entry form for ages under 18, click here. To download the entry form for ages 18-19, click here.

Some things you might want ​to consider as you craft your 600-word personal narrative: 

• Tell us a story about a time you experienced Jewish joy with a person older or younger than you. The person can be a be a relative, a friend or a stranger.
• What have you experienced that has helped you feel connected to Jews of other generations?
• What have you learned from a person not of your generation that brings you joy on a regular basis?
• What is unique or special to you about your intergenerational Jewish experiences?

(Please note that these are all suggestions to get your creative juices flowing—none of these aspects or perspectives are mandatory to include.)