Jewish teens in grades 9 through 12 are invited to compete for a major prize in student journalism. The Norman E. Alexander Award for Excellence in Jewish Student Writing is seeking essays on the Jewish Americans in the entertainment industry, living or dead, who made a significant impact in the field of television, film, music or theater. Writers are asked to express why they admire this person and what is the person’s lasting legacy on the writer and/or American culture. This contest is part of the celebration of American Jewish Heritage Month in May.

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 May 31 to Shira Vickar-Fox at freshinkforteens@jewishweek.org. Consideration will be given to originality, creativity and writing style. The essays will be judged by representatives of The Jewish Week, the Jewish-American Hall of Fame and the Jewish Scholastic Press Association.

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. All submissions become the property of Fresh Ink for Teens/Jewish Week Media Group.

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 ofwww.freshinkforteens.com 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. Its award-winning website can be found at www.amuseum.org/jahf. Student writers can select from these subjects or anyone else who has impacted the field of entertainment.

For further information contact:

 Mel Wacks, Director of the Jewish-American Hall of Fame

(818) 225-1348, [email protected]