A Tribute to Israel Arbeiter, President of the American Association of Holocaust Survivors of Greater Boston

Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the 2010 Israel Arbeiter Holocaust Essay Contest!

Winners:

Victoria Sheperd – Grade 8 – Tenney Grammar School

Richard Diehl Martinez – Grade 8 – German International School of Boston

Finalists:

Benjamin S. Gladstone – Grade 8 – Edith C. Baker School

Joseph Coughlin – Grade 9 – Trinity Catholic High School

Colby Hoffman – Grade 6 – Hingham Middle School

Shane Godek – Grade 7 - Tenney Grammar School

Check back in November for more information on the 2010-2011 contest!

2009-2010 Essay Topic: Taking a Stand

Standing up for what you believe in is not easy. Can you imagine something so important that you would face unforeseen challenges to voice your opinion? What does it mean to stand up for the truth? What do you think about the increasing numbers of Holocaust deniers, the 13 active hate groups located in MA, and the 56 countries that reported significant numbers of hate crimes last year? Write about what truth means to you and about someone who put him or herself on the line to fight for the truth.

"A lie is believed because of the insolent inflexibility with which it is propagated."
~Adolf Hitler

"Holocaust denial and minimization or distortion of the facts of the Holocaust is a form of anti-Semitism."
~US Holocaust Memorial Museum

Massachusetts' students in grades 6-12 are invited to write a 400-800 word essay on this topic. Essays will be judged on originality, knowledge, style and depth.

Prizes include trips to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. with Mr. Arbeiter

Coordinated by the Jewish Community Relations Council, Friends of the New England Holocaust Memorial and the American Association of Jewish Holocaust Survivors of Greater Boston.

Click here for resources and additional information
Click here to view 2010 scoring rubric