April 25, 2020
Essay and Video Presentation Contest
Peace and Love to All,
During this season of our deliverance, we embraced our Passover (Pesach) and Feast of Unleavened Bread (Chag Matzoth) with many similarities to what our ancestors experienced when they were in Egypt. We share in the memory of their experiences in Goshen – as our ancestors experienced plagues-we too are currently experiencing a significant plague in our time. The plague COVID-19, which removed us from our houses of prayer, required us to dedicate our homes to Torah study and worship. As did our ancestors, we are responsible to cry out to The Most High for his forgiveness, mercy, compassion, protection and most of all love in this time and in all times of trouble and distress. We ask The Most High to be gracious unto us, O God, be gracious unto us, For in Thee hath our soul taken refuge; yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will we take refuge, until calamities be overpast.” Psalm 57:2.
As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, our daily lives appeared to be disrupted from the normal hustle and bustle to routines that now require online school, work from home, quarantine, social distancing, business closures, and in many cases loss jobs and the death of loved ones. There are many perspectives and opinions that people have about how to cope and respond to the C19-Pandemic. For some people, fear has negatively impacted their lives and for others, it has brought their family together. This essay-presentation contest is an opportunity for us to hear from you, our youth. We ask The Most High to “guard our going out and coming in, from this time forth and forever.” Psalm 121:8.
Interestingly, our Prophet/Prophetess messages has stood the test of time; which means their messages are meaningful to us now as they were in the time of our ancestors. Therefore, we rely on our history and learn from our past in order for us to sustain ourselves during these difficulties. As you know, the messages of the Prophet/Prophetess are to convey the word of The Creator to His people and the nations. These messages can range from destruction to comfort and sometimes a combination of both. You are being asked to choose a Prophet/Prophetess that speaks to you; and to decide what their message would be to us and the word during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Interested candidates please email me at scooper34@hotmail.com and put in the subject “#2 COVID -19 ESSAY CONTEST”. All interested participants must submit their interest as soon as possible. Once we have confirmed your interest you will receive a participation form which will require guardian consent. The form must be completed and submitted by Sunday May 10th, 2020 via email (it can be sent as a photo attachment). Should you have any questions or need further clarification please contact me at 718-809-1214; I can be reached Monday-Thursday between the hours of 8am-2:30pm. Emails can be sent at your own convenience; and I will reply within 24 hours of receiving your email message.
——————————————————————————————————————————-
Interested donors can make a monetary donation to the contest reward, please send your funds to CashApp at $DrScooper or Paypal at scooper34@hotmail.com. In the subject of donations please use the words “#COVID-19 ESSAY #2”. All donations and proceeds will go to the current contest and the upcoming contest for ages 5-9 year old youth.
Peace, Safety and Love,
Dr. Syene Cooper
Founding Executive Director
Summary of Essay and Video Presentation Contest
TOPIC: |
- Significance of Passover, Chag Matzoth, Omer, Shavuot, Prophet/Prophetess
You are being asked to make a Text to World Connection. Below are some questions to provoke your thinking so that you can provide a well-thought-out response in your written task. You are to use the questions as a guide. Also, feel comfortable to provide additional information.
- Choose a Prophet/Prophetess that resonates with you.
- How would the Prophet/Prophetess you chose respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic?
- As the Prophet/Prophetess messages were required in their lifetime, imagine how they would respond to the needs of our people?
- What do you think their message to us would be?
- How would they help see us through COVID-19 Pandemic?
- What is the significance of the Omer count during the COVID-19 Pandemic?
- As we count the Omer towards Shavuot, how would the Prophet/Prophetess help us prepare ourselves and family during the Omer (COVID-19 Pandemic)?
- How can we use the message of the Prophet/Prophetess to survive and or cure the COVID-19 Pandemic?
AGE RANGE: |
- 10-14 years old
MONETARY REWARD: |
- 1st Place $200
- 2nd Place $100
- 3rd Place $50
DUE DATE: |
- Sunday, May 31st by 12 midnight
RUBRIC: |
- All confirmed participants will receive an official rubric that will provide more details on how the participants will be assessed in each of the categories below.
- Organization
- Content
- Presentation (PowerPoint Presentation/Video Recording 2-3 minutes)
- 250 words essay
——————————————————————————————————————————-If you are interested in making a monetary donation to the contest reward, please send your funds to
- CashApp at $DrScooper or
- Paypal at scooper34@hotmail.com or 718 809-1214
In the subject of donations please use “#COVID-19 ESSAY”. All donations and proceeds will go to the current contest winners and the upcoming contests winners for ages 5-9 year old youth.