The Charlotte Jewish News Celebrates Jewish Youth With Inaugural Showcase

June 2024

The Charlotte Jewish News is excited to debut a new opportunity to celebrate the experiences of the Jewish youth in our community with our inaugural Celebrating Jewish Youth Showcase. The Showcase is an expansion of previous years’ Celebrating Jewish Youth Essay Contest, in recognition that there are many forms of expression that excite our youth beyond writing.

Rooted in the understanding that engagement during these formative years is crucial for fostering a strong sense of Jewish identity, the showcase seeks to create a meaningful and celebratory platform for young voices. Recognizing that Jewish youth encounter many of the same challenges as adults in their Jewish lives, this initiative also serves as a supportive space for connection and resilience. It is a reflection of The Charlotte Jewish News’s commitment not only to celebrate the present moments in their lives, but also to empower them for the future. Research has shown that the teen years are critical years for engaging youth and strengthening a Jewish identity that will be expressed into their adult lives.

The Charlotte Jewish Youth Showcase is a multi-category competition designed to ignite the creative spark within Jewish teens in grades 8-12. Participants are invited to delve into the question “How do you celebrate your Jewish identity?” through essays, photography, or podcasts. This year's showcase offers more avenues for self-expression than ever before, encouraging teens to explore their identities through a wider lens.

Winners in each category will receive not only recognition in the December print and online issue of The Charlotte Jewish News, but also a $100 Amazon gift card – a sweet reward for their artistic endeavors! Additionally, all qualified entries will be showcased on a dedicated page on The Charlotte Jewish News website, creating a digital exhibit that celebrates the creativity and perspectives of Charlotte’s Jewish youth.

Parents and educators are encouraged to be champions for this initiative, inspiring the creative teens in their lives to participate. Consider integrating the showcase into your youth programs or curriculum as a way to foster self-expression, identity exploration, and a deeper connection to the community.

The Charlotte Jewish News is eager to spread the word! Stay tuned for more details on how to enter the Celebrating Jewish Youth Showcase, with submissions opening between August 1 and September 16. For more information, visit www.charlottejewishnews.org and click on the “Celebrating Jewish Youth Showcase” icon in the top right corner.

Let's come together to celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of our Jewish teens, and create a platform that empowers them to share their talents and perspectives with the entire community!