Our Jewishness is rooted in pride and joy, even during the most difficult times.

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

Share an experience of Jewish joy and/or pride

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

• Where have you found Jewish joy that has surprised you? 
• Where do you find Jewish joy on a regular basis?
• To whom do you turn to find Jewish joy/with whom do you experience it most frequently?
• What have you experienced that has made you feel proud to be Jewish?
• What is unique or special to you about your Judaism and the way you celebrate/experience it?

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

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 24, 2025.  

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. 

Editors’ Tips

• We find that the strongest essays illustrate a vivid and original picture of personal experience. We are looking for textured, colorful essays. Paint us a picture of Jewish joy and/or pride!
• Your story can be about a one-time experience, a regular experience, something big, something small. 
• The more personal the better. We are not looking for a “what-I-did-this-summer”-style school essay, nor a “this-is-how-I-grew” college application essay. We’re looking for authentic and exciting pieces—writing that you yourself would enjoy reading, depicting experiences that readers can either relate to or learn something new from.
• The more unique the better! If you are writing about a relatively universal and beloved Jewish experience, such as Havdalah, the narrative should be told in a way that is unique and focused on a particularly original and aspect of the experience.

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.