%20(Mobile%20Banner).png?width=1920&height=1080&name=JAHM%202025%20(1920x1080)%20(Mobile%20Banner).png "JAHM 2025 (1920x1080) (Mobile Banner)")
UP TO $50,000 IN PRIZES,
WITH WINNERS RECOGNIZED
AT THE PRESTIGIOUS JAHM CONGRESSIONAL
RECEPTION IN MAY, 2025
UP TO $100,000 IN PRIZES, WITH WINNERS RECOGNIZED
Contest submissions open on March 26, 2026, and close on June 1, 2026. Winners will be invited to special national events on July 3, 2026 in Washington, D.C.
America 250: Celebrating Jewish Heritage is a national contest honoring the rich history, enduring traditions, and lasting contributions of Jewish Americans as the United States marks its 250th anniversary.
This special initiative invites participants from across the country to explore, express, and celebrate the Jewish experience in America through creativity, storytelling, and innovation. From history and culture to values, community, and identity, the contest highlights the many ways Jewish heritage has helped shape the American story.
With $100,000 in total prizes, the competition recognizes outstanding submissions that inspire pride, promote understanding, and reflect the spirit of freedom, diversity, and opportunity at the heart of the American experience.
Join us in celebrating 250 years of shared history and honoring the voices, stories, and achievements that continue to strengthen our nation.
C O N T E S T G U I D E L I N E S
America 250: Celebrating Jewish Heritage is a national contest honoring the rich history, enduring traditions, and lasting contributions of Jewish Americans as the United States marks its 250th anniversary.
This unique nationwide competition invites participants to engage with the powerful legacy of Jewish Americans through four inspiring categories. Whether you are a storyteller, an artist, a changemaker, or someone passionate about history and shared values, the contest offers a platform to learn, reflect, and create.
A total of $100,000 in prizes will be awarded across the four categories.
📅 Contest opens March 26, 2026, and all submissions must be received by June 1, 2026.
A panel of judges will select the winners at their sole discretion.
C O N T E S T C A T E G O R I E S
Explore the diverse ways Jewish Americans have shaped the nation and continue to inspire, by entering one of four categories:
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Legends of Liberty: Jewish Heroes Who Forged America.
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Brushstrokes of Heritage: Art & Design Celebrating Jewish American Pride for America 250
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AI Visions: Reviving Jewish American Tales for Tomorrow's World
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Forge the Future: Supporting Communities to Combat Antisemitism Through Jewish American Heritage
S U B M I S S I O N G U I D E L I N E S
Legend of Liberty
Theme: Jewish Heroes Who Forged America
What to Submit:
Participants will create a 3 to 5 minute digital storytelling project that highlights a Jewish American story from the Jewish Heritage Curriculum. The project should incorporate an AI-generated element that helps preserve or reimagine the story for the future, and include a 300 to 500-word written explanation with references to the curriculum.
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💰 $25,000 in prizes will be awarded in this category.
🏅 1st Place, $10,000
🏅 2nd Place, $7,500
🏅 3rd Place, $5,000
Runners-up (5): $500
Forge the Future
Theme: Supporting Communities to Combat Antisemitism Through Jewish American Heritage
What to Submit:
Participants will design a practical initiative, program, or campaign to raise awareness of Jewish American heritage and combat antisemitism in their community. The project should include a detailed plan outlining goals, key steps, and expected outcomes. The proposed concept should integrate ways to use the Jewish Heritage Curriculum. Submissions may be presented in formats such as a written proposal or a slide deck.
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💰 $25,000 in prizes will be awarded in this category.
🏅 1st Place, $10,000
🏅 2nd Place, $7,500
🏅 3rd Place, $5,000
Runners-up (5): $500
AI Echoes
Theme: Reimagining Jewish American Stories for Future Generations
What to Submit:
Participants create a 3-5 minute digital storytelling project highlighting a Jewish American story from the CAM curriculum, incorporate an AI-generated element to preserve or reimagine it for the future, and provide a 300-500 word explanation with curriculum references.
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💰 $25,000 in prizes will be awarded in this category.
🏅 1st Place, $10,000
🏅 2nd Place, $7,500
🏅 3rd Place, $5,000
Runners-up (5): $500
Brushstrokes of Heritage
Theme: Art Celebrating Jewish American Pride for America 250
What to Submit:
Participants will submit an art project inspired by the stories or people featured in the Jewish Heritage Curriculum, where art submissions could include a poster, merchandise designs (shirt, hat, tote, and one more item), public display, painting, manual art, and such, along with a 300-500 word artist statement explaining the inspiration and impact, using at least two curriculum references and two additional sources.
________________________________💰 $25,000 in prizes will be awarded in this category.
🏅 1st Place, $10,000
🏅 2nd Place, $7,500
🏅 3rd Place, $5,000
Runners-up (5): $500
S U B M I S S I O N G U I D E L I N E S
Personal Tribute
Theme: Honoring Jewish American Lives That Shaped the Nation
What to Submit:
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A written story (500–1,000 words), short video (up to 3 minutes), or podcast recording (15 minutes)
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Must highlight the life and impact of a Jewish American, well-known or unsung, from any field (civil rights, science, business, arts, military, etc.)
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Submissions should focus on why their story matters today, their contribution, and how it inspires others.
💰 $12,500 in prizes will be awarded in this category.
🏅 1st Place, $5,000
🏅 2nd Place, $4,000
🏅 3rd Place, $3,500
Unity in Action
Theme: Celebrating Jewish Collaboration with Other Communities
What to Submit:
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A short video (up to 3 minutes) or a written story (500–1,000 words)
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Focus on real-life partnerships or friendships between the Jewish community and others—Black-Jewish solidarity, interfaith cooperation, immigrant alliances, etc.
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Submissions should highlight shared values, challenges, and successes.
💰 $12,500 in prizes will be awarded in this category.
🏅 1st Place, $5,000
🏅 2nd Place, $4,000
🏅 3rd Place, $3,500
Creative Expression
Theme: Jewish Heritage Through Art
What to Submit:
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Any original artwork: illustration, music, poetry, painting, short film, animation, digital art, or mixed media
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Work should celebrate Jewish life, culture, resilience, or resistance to antisemitism
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Must be accompanied by a short artist statement (up to 600 words)
💰 $12,500 in prizes will be awarded in this category.
🏅 1st Place, $5,000
🏅 2nd Place, $4,000
🏅 3rd Place, $3,500
Plan for Change
Theme: Educating the Future & Combating Antisemitism
What to Submit:
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A strategic idea or detailed action plan (PDF or slide deck) for a project, campaign, or curriculum
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Submissions may focus on schools, campuses, communities, or online platforms
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Must include clear objectives, target audience, steps, and expected outcomes
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Participants are encouraged to reference the Jewish Heritage Curriculum (CAM + Tikvah) in their proposals
💰 $12,500 in prizes will be awarded in this category.
🏅 1st Place, $5,000
🏅 2nd Place, $4,000
🏅 3rd Place, $3,500
What Makes This Contest Special?
Open to students, artists, activists, educators, and everyday citizens alike.
An opportunity to educate, connect, and inspire.
A chance to learn about the rich history of Jewish life in America using the new Jewish Heritage Curriculum, developed in partnership between CAM and the Tikvah Fund—a unique educational resource available to all participants.
Winning entries will not only receive financial prizes, but also national recognition—spotlighted on CAM’s platforms.
Prompts
- Profile a Jewish American who made an important contribution to American society.
- Who was Emma Lazarus and how did her work with Jewish immigrants redefine the Statue of Liberty?
- Celebrate a historic moment when Jews made a positive impact.
- Reflect on President John Adams’ description of Jews as “the most essential instrument for civilizing the nations” by spotlighting a noteworthy positive Jewish contribution to humanity.
Rules & Eligibility
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The Contest is open to all students from 5th grade through 12th grade.
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Enter by submitting an essay or a poem.
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Essays must be maximum 800 words.
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Limit of two entries per student – and the entry must be the student’s original work.
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The deadline to enter is May 20th at 11:59pm EST (winners will be announced on May 30th).
Prizes
First-place prize: $5,000; 10 runner-up prizes of $1,000 each; and 10 honorable mention prizes of $500 each.
The contest prizes are sponsored by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM).
Tips for a Strong Entry
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Choose a clear connection to Jewish American heritage and your selected category.
- Show original perspective and thoughtful engagement with history, culture, or values.
- Demonstrate creativity, insight, and clarity of message in your submission.
- Draw inspiration from the Jewish American Heritage Curriculum.