The Jewish Heritage Writing Contest was named after Toby Nussbaum, z’l, a former JCRC-NY Vice President.
In 2008, Toby Nussbaum’s family dedicated the long-time annual Jewish Heritage-NY Writing Contest in her memory. Toby, JCRC-NY Vice President and Member of the Board of Directors for many years, was a compassionate, accomplished woman who truly represented the best of New York and its Jewish community.
The contest, sponsored by JCRC-NY in cooperation with the NYC Department of Education, highlighted a Jewish value each year (please scroll down for a list of the themes). It was open to all NYC public school students in grades 4-12, and winners received their awards at a ceremony at City Hall in the spring.
The contest was suspended beginning in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The legacy and meaningful goals of the contest will continue as JCRC-NY launches our new Department of Jewish Education.
We are truly grateful to the Nussbaum family, in particular Bernard Nussbaum, z”l, for his most generous support, and Dale Nussbaum and JCRC-NY Board Member Michael Nussbaum, for serving as co-chairs. The contest impacted thousands of students and helped shape their perspectives on the Jewish people and our values and contributions and better appreciate the commonalities between diverse ethnic and religious groups.
2019 Contest:
Award Ceremony (PDF)
Ceremony Program and Winning Entries (PDF)
Rules & Information (PDF)
2018 Contest:
Award Ceremony (PDF)
Ceremony Program and Winning Entries (PDF)
Rules & Information (PDF)
2017 Contest:
Award Ceremony (PDF)
Ceremony Program and Winning Entries (PDF)
In the News: NY Jewish Life, June 14-10, 2017 Edition (PDF)
Rules & Information (PDF)
2016 Contest:
Award Ceremony (PDF)
Ceremony Program and Winning Entries (PDF)
Rules & Information (PDF)
2015 Contest:
Award Ceremony (PDF)
Ceremony Program and Winning Entries (PDF)
Rules & Information (PDF)
2014 Contest:
Award Ceremony (PDF)
Ceremony Program and Winning Entries (PDF)
Rules & Information (PDF)
2013 Contest:
Award Ceremony (PDF)
Ceremony Program and Winning Entries (PDF)
Rules & Information (PDF)
2012 Contest:
Award Ceremony (PDF)
Contest Program and Winning Entries (PDF)
Rules & Information (PDF)
2011 Contest:
Award Ceremony (PDF)
Ceremony Program and Winning Entries (PDF)
Rules & Information (PDF)
2010 Contest:
Award Ceremony (PDF)
Ceremony Program and Winning Entries (PDF)
Past Contests:
2009 Winners (PDF)
2006-2008 Winners (PDF)
Contest Themes: 1997- 2019
JHNY2019: Machloket L’shem Shamayim: Constructive Conflicts
JHNY2018: Bayit: Home, Family and Community
JHNY2017: Cultural Pluralism: Maintaining Cultures; Enriching America
JHNY2016: Ahavat Ger: Welcoming the Stranger
JHNY2015: Kavod: Respect and Honor
JHNY2014: L’Dor V’Dor: Generation to Generation
JHNY2013: Achdut: Unity and Harmony
JHNY2012: Hakarat Tovah: Gratitude and Appreciation
JHNY2011: Mensch: A Person of Integrity and Honor
JHNY2010: Mitzvah: Act of Human Kindness
JHNY2009: Gemilut: Acts of Loving Kindness
JHNY2008: Rachmanut: Expressing the Jewish Value of Compassion
JHNY2007: Tikun Olam: Repairing the World Through Social Action
JHNY2006: Celebrating Family, Hope and Freedom
JHNY2005: The Immigrant Experience: Balancing Tradition and Change
JHNY2004: Celebrating 350 Years of Jewish Life in America:
A Shared Heritage of Freedom and Opportunity
JHNY2003: Unity from Diversity: One Heart, One People
JHNY2002: Chessed: The Jewish Tradition of Compassion and Kindness
JHNY2001: The Jewish Community: Sharing our Values – Contributing to
the Landscape of New York – The Value of Tzedakah
JHNY2000: New York’s Jewish Community: A Legacy of Caring and Responsibility
JHNY1999: As the Century Draws to a Close: Reflections on 100 Years
of Jewish Life in New York
JHNY1998: 100th Anniversary of the Unification of New York City
JHNY1997: The Lower East Side: The Cradle of the American Jewish Experience