The Mira Kimmelman 'Learning from the Holocaust' Contest 2024

mira

Mira Kimmelman (1923-2019) was a Woman of Valor.

A Holocaust survivor who endured not only incarceration in Auschwitz, but a deadly and horrific death march to Bergen-Belsen, she turned to volunteering and education after coming to the United States. For over fifty years, she dedicated herself to the Jewish communities of Tennessee and Holocaust education efforts around the state. A twice-published author, she raised her voice in the hope that continuing education and remembrance of this atrocity would ensure that no one should suffer such atrocities ever again.

Contest Information

Mira Kimmelman challenged students to reflect upon the history of the Holocaust and contemporary examples of injustice for over fifty years. The contest continues her work and legacy, asking Tennessee students to create projects that reflect how the lessons of the Holocaust are relevant to current events and their own lives. The contest has both middle school and high school entry options, all of which prompt students to reflect on the lessons learned through the study of Holocaust history.

1st, 2nd and 3rd prize will be awarded in each of the following five categories:

Community College Visual Arts

High School Essay

High School Visual Arts

Middle School Essay

Middle School Visual Arts

Winners in community college and high school categories will receive prizes of $750 (1st place), $500 (2nd place) and $250 (3rd place).

Winners in middle school categories will receive prizes of $500 (1st place), $300 (2nd place) and $150 (3rd place).

-        Teachers will receive a $5.00 Starbucks gift card for each valid student entry from their class

FAQs

  • Who is allowed to submit an application?
    • Middle school, high school or community college students of any school.
  • Are college students allowed to submit applications?
    • Yes! There is a contest category for Community College students.
  • Are home schooled students allowed to submit?
    • Yes, as long as they are in the associated grade levels and submit in the proper contest.
  • When should I submit materials?
    • Please send all application materials in one email to tnholcom@tnholcom.org before June 1st for HS and MS and April 15th for CC.
  • What does 'appropriate documentation' mean?
    • Projects should be documented in their entirety, including a bibliography, photographs or videos, etc.
    • Please include everything needed to accurately assess the process and product of the project.
  • Are groups allowed to submit projects together?
    • Groups are allowed to submit collaborative projects for the Visual Art contest, categories with up to four participants.
    • Groups are not allowed to submit collaborative essays for the middle or high school essay prompts.
    • An application must be submitted for each participant.  Prize money will be shared equally among members of the group.
  • How will projects be judged?
    • A selection committee, including Kimmelman family members, will appraise the essays and projects according to the guidelines listed in the links above.

 

Please direct all questions to tnholcom@tnholcom.org.

Materials should be sent in an email to the above address with the subject line ‘Kimmelman (Last Name)’.

The deadline for Middle and High School submissions is June 1, 2024.

The deadline for Community College submissions is April 15, 2024.

 

2023 Winners

High School Essay

  1. Deborah George
  2. Karah Southworth
  3. Tatiana Mack

Middle School Essay

  1. Chelsea Walton
  2. Katelyn Brakett
  3. Tabitha Faith Eggert

Middle School Project

  1. Elijah Halford
  2. Adalyn Gee
  3. Tie: Shawntice Conley, Krystal Gomora, Renji Hua, & Michael Wang AND Brittany Palmore

Honorable Mention

Asher Earles, Ciemarrian Johnson, Joe Layne, Addy Bree Orr, Sarah Pritchard, Jaiden Russell, Emmalynn Starnes, and Eleanor Valentino

Resources 

Video Resources

Mira Kimmelman's Books

For those interested in obtaining a complimentary copy of 'Echoes From the Holocaust', please email the Commission  at tnholcom@tnholcom.org.

Videos of Mira Kimmelman's Public Speeches and Events