Winning essaysThe following are the winning essays from Hebrew High's annual essay contest. The first and second place pieces are printed in their entirety, followed by excerpts from the other three winning essays.A student. A teacher. A role model. A leader. A risk taker ... I am a Jew. As a Jewish teenager in society today, I must take on many roles that allow me to express my Jewish identity. As a student, I am constantly in search of gaining more Jewish knowledge. Though there are a copious number of common places where this knowledge can be found, it expands far beyond the Torah, Mishnah, and rabbis. Because I will always be Jewish I must always be aware that I can continue searching, and that the end of Hebrew High will not bring about an end to my learning. As a teacher who helps continue this education with a younger generation at Beth El Religious School, I am helping to make sure that there will be full classes in Hebrew High's future while also making sure that children at my temple are prepared for their journey into adulthood. As a role model and a leader I attempt to live a life that manifests true Jewish values. I also try to make the world a better place than the way I left it. Tikun Olam is a motto which I live by. I realize that by solely following others, I am not finding a personal fulfillment so I must tread my own paths of Judaism and not only continue to do what others before me have done. As a risk taker, I must never accept normalcy as a standard. I must continue to strive to push myself farther and reach my personal goals. However, as a risk taker, I must also never be afraid to demonstrate my true Jewish values for fear of what others may think. I need to stand for my religion and not let the actions and stereotypes of others create an image of Jews. In relationship to my Jewish identity, I hope that in the future my Jewish upbringing will lead me to find a husband that shares a love of Judaism and that our children can be brought up with a rich cultural and religious background. More than anything, I realize though that in order to lead an ongoing Jewish life, I must strive to continue learning and know that there is always more knowledge to gain. Hebrew High has helped me gain the needed foundations and has given me some of the strength to face the upcoming challenges with friendships I have made there and lessons that I have had the opportunity to learn in and out of the classrooms. Orly Shafir First Place My mother's hands circle the white candles three times before covering her eyes to welcome Shabbat. The candles' glow replaces the sunlight fading over the mountains. The separation between the ordinary days of the week and the special day to come begins. She first blesses the gentle flames and then in turn each of her children. When my turn comes, she places her hands on my head, whispering her secret word of blessing into my ear. My father raises the overflowing ceremonial wine glass while he looks in the face of each member of our family. With a clear bass voice he chants, "baruch atah Adonai." My eyes close as I allow the music, the words of blessing, the warmth, and the scent of wine and freshly braided bread to fill my senses. We respond to the solo portion of the prayer with a unison "amen." "Ki vanu vacharta..." one voice becomes five as each member of our family contributes a part of the chord. My eyes remain shut as I sing, listening as my voice blends with those standing around as well as the hundred of generations of families bound together by blessing the Sabbath with the same ancient melody. Harmonies resonate throughout our house until we crescendo to a final, glorious "amen," formally welcoming the Sabbath into our home. It is a time that is sacred to me, yet it is at this time each week that conflict finds it way into my life. Floodlights illuminate the grassy field as the players from each team return to their appropriate side after the coin toss at mid-field. I watch as the American flag rises to the top of the pole, my cue to begin singing the National Anthem. Our quartet, jammed into the press box above the field, listens as the music booms over the loudspeakers well beyond the boundary of our tight circle. "O'er the land of the free" But there's no "amen," just the roar of a crowd caught up in this weekly American ritual. I return to the bleachers filled with classmates garbed in the red and gold colors of our school. Instead of whispered blessings, there are shouted cheers. The only prayers are for victory over our opponent. I feel a sense of unity, but only with a single generation of my contemporaries. I do not yet know where I belong. I only know that I can be happy in both places. I can feel joy in praising the miracles of existence and still feel the thrill of a touchdown. Many people would have me choose one world or the other, but I am not so sure that is necessary. Sometimes my life is a compromise between generations past and a generation present. Sometimes only the music I sing reminds me of the difference. Rachel Feller Second Place Israel is the backbone of our faith. Without our control and presence in Israel, Judaism would not exist, as we know it. The two-month program that I spent in Israel last summer was the best summer of my life. I came back home with an immense amount of knowledge about Israel and deeper connection to our homeland. To say that my trip strengthened my faith, pride and bond toward our country and religion, would be an understatement. Without my trip to Israel last summer, I would not be the same Jewish person that I am today. Russell Mollen Third Place The call that I hear now is the one from myself. As I go into the world to see all there is to see, I must always remember where I am coming from. A friend once told me that what she admired most about me was the sense of identity that I carry through life. The identity formed by my parents' love, the community around me, and that call from the past. You can hear it, too. It is on the wind of every child's dream and parent's hope. You can hear it now; it is very soft and quiet, but if you listen and believe ... Shema Yisrael: Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad! Baruch Shem Kevod Malchuto Leolam Vaed! Max Ellentuck Fourth Place When I stood at the Kotel, I could recite prayers without a struggle. My spirituality, belief, and love of Judaism had surfaced in the beautiful land of Israel. Upon my return to Phoenix I began to interact with the Jewish community with renewed interest. I proudly read a meaningful passage at the rally in support of Israel and avidly follow the news reports about Israel. Since I would love to return to Israel someday, I enrolled in Hebrew for Credit at Hebrew High and plan to continue studying Hebrew at college. I now pray and learn with renewed favor. Julie Rose Novakoff Fifth Place |
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