The 29th Annual Elie Wiesel Writing and Visual Arts Competition, which invites students in grades 6 – 12 to reflect on the lessons of the Holocaust and explore how they might be able to rid the world of antisemitism, bigotry, and hatred, is now open. The Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater sponsors the competition.
Named in honor of Nobel Laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, the competition challenges students to engage with Holocaust history not only as an academic exercise, but as a personal and creative journey. Through essays, poetry, visual arts, and videos, students are encouraged to examine the moral and ethical questions raised by the Holocaust and consider how its lessons apply to contemporary issues such as injustice and disinformation.
Open to all middle and high school students, the competition serves as a powerful educational tool for teachers seeking to inspire critical thinking and creativity in their classrooms. While many students participate through classroom assignments, entries are welcomed from students who wish to submit independently. The competition provides a meaningful opportunity for students to express what they’ve learned in ways that resonate with their own experiences and perspectives.
Entries are judged blindly by professionals in the fields of education, writing, and the arts, ensuring an impartial and thoughtful evaluation process. Winners in each category receive cash prizes and a copy of To Life: The Past is Present.
The winners will be honored at the community’s annual Yom Hashoah commemoration, which will take place on April 13, 2026.
All information necessary to enter the competition, including detailed guidelines, background information, and submission instructions, can be found at JewishVA.org/Wiesel.
To learn more about the Holocaust Commission, go to HolocaustCommission.org or contact Elka Mednick, director of the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater at EMednick@ujft.org.