Attacks on Jews in the United States, Israel and around the world, online and in person, are spiking at an alarming rate. B’nai B’rith needs your help to respond to these frequent incidents. Join us to bring awareness of the problem to our communities. Join our essay contest and offer suggestions on how a community can identify and stop this hatred. Your voice is an important component in the effort to speak out against hatred and discrimination.

B’nai B’rith International created the None Shall Be Afraid initiative to keep a focus on anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism in our society today. None Shall Be Afraid was inspired by the 1790 letter from George Washington to the congregants of Touro Synagogue in Rhode Island, where he quoted Micah 4:4, “Everyone shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.”

Now it’s time for the next generation to take its place in combating the world’s oldest hatred.

Our essay contest offers students the chance to present their thoughts, concerns and solutions for combating anti-Semitism across social media platforms. Winners will earn scholarship funds and have the opportunity to have their essays published.

Eligibility Information:   
College students enrolled as of Fall 2023 semester between age of 18-22 are welcome to apply.

Essay Question:
Participants are asked in under 750 words to answer the following questions and share a personal experience:
1. What is anti-Semitism to you?
2. Share an anti-Semitic experience encountered on a social media platform.
3. How would you change the narrative of anti-Semitism on social media?

Awards:
1st Place:      $2,500 scholarship
2nd Place:    $1,000 scholarship
3rd Place:     $500 scholarship

In addition to the scholarship, the first-place winner will have their essay printed in B’nai B’rith Magazine Winter 2023 edition and published on B’nai B’rith’s website and social media platforms. The essay may also be used in the organization’s promotional email material.

DEADLINE: Essays are due by July 17, 2023

Essays should be sent to cji@bnaibrith.org and must include the following information:

Subject Line of email submission should include: NSBA Essay Contest submission from [YOUR NAME]

The body of your email should include: 

• Name
• Age
• Email
• Mailing Address
• Phone
• School and year of expected graduation

Questions? Contact Liz Krebs, Program Manager, B’nai B’rith International: ekrebs@bnaibrith.org

None Shall Be Afraid Essay Contest Rules

• Entries must be submitted in English, as a Word document, and be a maximum of 750 words in length.  
• The essay must be original, not already in the public domain and not previously published anywhere, either online or in print. 
• The content should not include any partisan statements or any endorsements or opposition of a candidate for public office. 
• B’nai B’rith International and B’nai B’rith Magazine have the right to publish, copy, promote, edit, or share via social media or any other means of promotion. 
• B’nai B’rith will have the right to request a photo of the authors of the top three winning essays and include their city and state of residence in any promotional literature. This will be done after the winners have been selected.
• Entries are limited to one essay per student.
• Winners of scholarship funds will be required to have the scholarship money sent to the college or university they will be, or are currently, attending.