The Norman E. Alexander Award for Excellence in Jewish Student Writing is seeking essays on the American Jew the writer most admires and who has made significant contributions to humanitarian causes, social justice, medicine or science. The contest subject relates to the 2014 theme of American Jewish Heritage Month, “American Jews and Tikkun Olam, Healing the World.”

The annual contest is sponsored by Fresh Ink for Teens (FIT), the Jewish-American Hall of Fame and The Jewish Week Media Group.

The winner will receive a $500 cash prize, plus the inscribed silver Alexander Award medal. In addition, the winning essay will be published on the websites of the sponsors and made available to Jewish high school newspapers that are members of the Jewish Scholastic Press Association, a supporting group of the Alexander Award.

Essays not exceeding 500 words should be emailed by June 1 to Shira Vickar-Fox at [email protected]. Consideration will be given to originality, creativity and writing style.

All entries must include the name of the high school and the grade of the entrant. There is a limit of one entry per student. Winners will be notified by email. Staff, board members and families of The Jewish Week Media Group are not eligible.

The essays will be judged by representatives of The Jewish Week, the Jewish-American Hall of Fame and the Jewish Scholastic Press Association.

Fresh Ink for Teens is made possible through the generosity of the Norman E. Alexander Family Foundation fund. Mr. Alexander, a businessman, philanthropist and a founder of The Jewish Week, had a special interest in educating and inspiring young people. The content of Fresh Ink for Teens is written for — and by — Jewish teens from around the world. FIT covers high school, politics, Israel, sports, culture, college preparation, Judaism, family matters and more through original articles and insightful essays.

The Jewish-American Hall of Fame has honored more than 45 individuals in all fields since its founding in 1969. Student writers can select from these subjects or anyone else who has contributed to tikkun olam, healing the world.

The Alexander Award writing contest is an official program of Jewish American Heritage Month.