Celebrating Jewish Youth Showcase 2024
Introducing the Celebrating Jewish Youth Showcase 2024: A Platform for Creativity, Identity, and Community
The Charlotte Jewish News is proud to announce the inaugural Celebrating Jewish Youth Showcase, an exciting initiative designed to provide a platform for Jewish teens to explore, express, and celebrate their identity through creative endeavors. This showcase invites participants in grades 8-12 to submit original works in three categories: Essay, Photography, and Podcast, responding to the theme “How do you celebrate your Jewish identity?”
We believe that the teen years are a crucial time for fostering a strong sense of Jewish identity and connection to the community. By offering a space for creative self-expression and recognition, we aim to empower our youth, amplify their voices, and showcase the diversity of their experiences. This initiative not only celebrates their present moments but also seeks to strengthen their Jewish identity as they journey into adulthood.
The submission timeframe is between August 1-September 16. Online submission forms and more information will be available soon — but no reason to wait! Here’s some information to get you started now.
For addition questions, email [email protected].
Benefits to Students
Participating in the Celebrating Jewish Youth Showcase offers numerous benefits for students:
- Recognition and Publication: Winners in all categories will be announced in the December special issue of the Charlotte Jewish News, titled “Celebrating Jewish Youth.” The winning essay and photograph will be prominently featured in the print publication, while a QR code will direct readers to the showcase website to listen to the winning podcast episode.
- Digital Showcase: Beyond the print publication, all qualified entries will be showcased on a dedicated page on the Charlotte Jewish News website. This digital platform will serve as a comprehensive exhibit of our youth’s creativity, allowing their work to reach a wider audience and providing a lasting testament to their artistic expressions.
- Prizes: Winners in each category will receive a $100 Amazon Gift Card as a token of recognition for their outstanding contributions.
- Personal Growth and Development: The process of creating and submitting work for the showcase encourages introspection, self-expression, and the development of artistic skills. It provides a platform for students to explore their identity, hone their talents, and build confidence in their abilities.
- Resume and College Application Enhancement: Participation in the Celebrating Jewish Youth Showcase is a noteworthy achievement that can enrich students’ resumes and college applications. It demonstrates their engagement with their heritage, their commitment to personal growth, and their ability to communicate effectively through various media.
- Inspiring Others: By sharing their unique perspectives and experiences, students have the power to inspire and resonate with others in the community. Their creative expressions can spark meaningful conversations, foster understanding, and contribute to a vibrant and inclusive Jewish community.
Essay Category
This category invites essays that delve into personal viewpoints, cultural insights, or reflective thoughts. It is a chance for writers to provide in-depth analysis or narratives in a structured format, expressing their thoughts and perspectives on a range of topics.
Essays should provide personal viewpoints, cultural insights, or reflective thoughts on the theme “How do you celebrate your Jewish identity?” Entries should aim for in-depth analysis or narrative storytelling, expressing thoughts and perspectives on topics related to Jewish culture, identity, experiences, or values. Essays must be original, unpublished work, 500-1000 words in length.
Rubric:
Content and Theme (40 points):
Relevance to the theme, depth of insight, originality of ideas, and the ability to inspire or engage the reader.
Organization and Structure (20 points):
Clear introduction, body, and conclusion; logical progression of ideas; coherence in argument or narrative.
Style and Voice (20 points):
Distinctive voice, appropriate tone for the subject matter, and creativity in expression.
Grammar and Mechanics (20 points):
Correct use of grammar, punctuation, and spelling; readability and flow.
Essay Submission:
File Requirements: Accepted file formats are .doc and .docx.
How to Submit Your Essay:
- Upload one essay file.
- Ensure your document includes your name, grade, and title of the essay.
Submission Form Coming Soon
Role of AI:
AI should be utilized as a supplementary tool in the creative process. It can assist with idea generation, technical enhancement, or refining work but should not replace personal creativity and expression.
Originality and Ownership:
Participants are required to be the primary creators of their submissions. AI can aid the creative process, but the central concept and the majority of the work must originate from the student.
AI Disclosure:
On the submission form, participants must disclose how they have used AI. This includes specifying what aspects of their work were AI-assisted or AI-generated.
Ethical Use of AI:
Participants should be aware of and consider the ethical implications of using AI, including data privacy, algorithmic bias, and intellectual property issues.
Limitations on AI Contribution:
In line with current high school guidelines, no more than 30% of the content should be AI-generated or AI-assisted. The majority of the work should be a direct product of the participant’s own creativity.
Reflecting on AI’s Contribution:
Participants should reflect on how AI tools contributed to their project and what they learned from incorporating these tools.
Critical Evaluation of AI Content:
Participants should critically evaluate the appropriateness and quality of AI-generated content, making informed decisions about its inclusion in their work
Photography Category
This category captures the essence of photography in various forms, including black and white, color, digital, film, or experimental. It’s an opportunity for participants to showcase their skills in composition, lighting, and moment capture, reflecting their unique perspectives through the lens.
Participants may submit a single photograph or a collection of up to 3 photographs that together tell a cohesive story reflecting the theme “How do you celebrate your Jewish identity?” Each photograph in the collection should contribute to the overarching narrative or message that resonates with Jewish culture or personal experience. Entries must be original and accompanied by a brief description (50-100 words) for each photograph, explaining its context and relation to the theme.
Rubric:
The rubric applies to the single photo or set of photos as a whole, assessing the overall storytelling, technical quality, creativity, and contextual descriptions of the submission.
Thematic Expression (40 points): The ability of the photograph(s) to convey the theme, Emotional impact, Storytelling through visual means
Technical Quality (30 points): Composition, Lighting, Focus, Use of color or contrast where applicable
Creativity and Originality (20 points): Unique perspective, Innovative approach, Artistic interpretation
Contextual Description (10 points): Clarity and relevance of the accompanying description(s) in relation to the theme
Photo Submission:
File Requirements: Please ensure each photograph file does not exceed 10 MB. Accepted file formats are JPEG and PNG.
How to Submit Your Photos:
Single Photo Submission:
- Upload one photograph file.
- Provide a brief description (50-100 words) of the photograph’s context and its relation to the theme.
Photo Collection Submission:
- Upload a single ZIP file containing up to 3 photographs.
- Name each photograph in the sequence they should be viewed (e.g., Photo1.jpg, Photo2.jpg, Photo3.jpg).
- Provide a brief description (50-100 words) for the set of photos, explaining their context, how they contribute to an overall story, and their relation to the theme.
- Submission Form Coming Soon
AI Policy:
In embracing the evolving landscape of technology and creativity, the “Celebrating Jewish Youth” showcase acknowledges the significant role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the modern creative process. As we integrate AI into our artistic and educational practices, it’s imperative to establish guidelines that foster responsible and ethical use of AI while preserving the authenticity and originality of each participant’s work. The guidelines provided aim to help participants navigate the use of AI as a tool for enhancement, not replacement, in their creative endeavors. They are designed to encourage AI literacy and critical thinking, ensuring that submissions reflect the genuine talent and perspective of our youth, amidst the realities and possibilities of AI in the arts. This approach seeks to balance the innovative potential of AI with the core values of personal creativity and expression, vital in celebrating the unique identity of Jewish youth today.
Role of AI:
AI should be utilized as a supplementary tool in the creative process. It can assist with idea generation, technical enhancement, or refining work but should not replace personal creativity and expression.
Originality and Ownership:
Participants are required to be the primary creators of their submissions. AI can aid the creative process, but the central concept and the majority of the work must originate from the student.
AI Disclosure:
On the submission form, participants must disclose how they have used AI. This includes specifying what aspects of their work were AI-assisted or AI-generated.
Ethical Use of AI:
Participants should be aware of and consider the ethical implications of using AI, including data privacy, algorithmic bias, and intellectual property issues.
Limitations on AI Contribution:
In line with current high school guidelines, no more than 30% of the content should be AI-generated or AI-assisted. The majority of the work should be a direct product of the participant’s own creativity.
Reflecting on AI’s Contribution:
Participants should reflect on how AI tools contributed to their project and what they learned from incorporating these tools.
Critical Evaluation of AI Content:
Participants should critically evaluate the appropriateness and quality of AI-generated content, making informed decisions about its inclusion in their work.
Podcast Category
In this category, participants can submit podcast episodes featuring storytelling, interviews, educational content, or discussions. It’s a space for audio creators to engage audiences with content that resonates with Jewish youth or broader themes, focusing on content quality and audience connection.
Participants can submit podcast episodes (up to 15 minutes) featuring storytelling, interviews, educational content, or discussions centered on the theme “How do you celebrate your Jewish identity?” Podcasts should engage audiences with content that not only reflects personal or collective Jewish experiences but also fosters connection and understanding. Entries must be original and include a brief written summary (100-150 words) of the episode’s content and themes.
Note: In this category, two students can collaborate and submit an entry together.
Rubric:
Content Relevance and Engagement (40 points): Alignment with the theme, Ability to captivate and maintain audience interest, Quality of content
Production Quality (30 points): Clarity of audio, Effective use of editing, sound balancing, and any music or sound effects
Creativity and Presentation (20 points): Originality of the concept, Effectiveness of storytelling or discussion format, Use of narrative devices or interviews
Summary Description (10 points): The written summary’s effectiveness in conveying the podcast’s themes and relevance to the theme
Podcast Submission:
File Requirements: Please ensure your podcast is no longer than 15 minutes and the file does not exceed 20 MB. Accepted file formats are MP3 and WAV.
How to Submit Your Podcast:
- Upload your podcast file.
- Provide a brief summary (100-150 words) of the episode’s content and themes.
Important: You must be signed in to a Google account to upload your file(s). If you do not have a Google account, please reach out to us at [email protected] for an alternative upload arrangement.
Submission form coming soon.
AI Policy:
In embracing the evolving landscape of technology and creativity, the “Celebrating Jewish Youth” showcase acknowledges the significant role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the modern creative process. As we integrate AI into our artistic and educational practices, it’s imperative to establish guidelines that foster responsible and ethical use of AI while preserving the authenticity and originality of each participant’s work. The guidelines provided aim to help participants navigate the use of AI as a tool for enhancement, not replacement, in their creative endeavors. They are designed to encourage AI literacy and critical thinking, ensuring that submissions reflect the genuine talent and perspective of our youth, amidst the realities and possibilities of AI in the arts. This approach seeks to balance the innovative potential of AI with the core values of personal creativity and expression, vital in celebrating the unique identity of Jewish youth today.
Role of AI:
AI should be utilized as a supplementary tool in the creative process. It can assist with idea generation, technical enhancement, or refining work but should not replace personal creativity and expression.
Originality and Ownership:
Participants are required to be the primary creators of their submissions. AI can aid the creative process, but the central concept and the majority of the work must originate from the student.
AI Disclosure:
On the submission form, participants must disclose how they have used AI. This includes specifying what aspects of their work were AI-assisted or AI-generated.
Ethical Use of AI:
Participants should be aware of and consider the ethical implications of using AI, including data privacy, algorithmic bias, and intellectual property issues.
Limitations on AI Contribution:
In line with current high school guidelines, no more than 30% of the content should be AI-generated or AI-assisted. The majority of the work should be a direct product of the participant’s own creativity.
Reflecting on AI’s Contribution:
Participants should reflect on how AI tools contributed to their project and what they learned from incorporating these tools.
Critical Evaluation of AI Content:
Participants should critically evaluate the appropriateness and quality of AI-generated content, making informed decisions about its inclusion in their work.