The Importance of Holocaust Education
For the last 20 years, the Jewish Federation of Greater Baton Rouge has sponsored the Annual Holocaust Writing Contest. This contest is free and open to all public, private and charter middle schools and high schools throughout the state of Louisiana. Our purpose for this contest is to encourage students to learn about and understand the lessons of the Holocaust, including the nature and repercussions of unchecked hate and prejudice taken to their ultimate extreme. The premise is simple - use the lessons of the Holocaust to encourage tolerance, acceptance and respect for others.
Teaching about the Holocaust allows us to understand the impact of history on our society; the impact of history on human beings; and to study the impact individuals can have on history. We must stop seeing the Holocaust as a single event but rather as several individual and combined elements which led to the genocide of Jewish people during the Second World War. Since the Holocaust, the world has been repeatedly traumatized by racial, religious and ethnic persecution, often rooted in ignorance and fear.
This year, we are offering the opportunity to CHOOSE which question best fits YOUR curriculum. Please choose either Prompt I or Prompt II.
The contest has two divisions: the middle school division (6th – 8th grade) and the high school division (9th -12th grade). Regardless of which prompt you select submissions will be reviewed by grade levels.
2025-2026 Holocaust Essay Question
Antisemitism is prejudice or discrimination against Jewish people, including negative stereotypes, verbal abuse, and sometimes violence. The Holocaust occurred from 1939 to 1941 when millions of Jewish people were forced to work in inhuman conditions, physically abused, and murdered. Unfortunately, antisemitism still exists and in recent years has increased worldwide. This requires all of us to work at doing what we can to eliminate any signs of antisemitism that we encounter.
The Holocaust was a time during World War II when over six million Jewish people, and many others, were killed because of hate and prejudice. The Nazis started by using hateful words against Jews. This grew into unfair treatment and treating them as less than human. In the end, it led to mass murder. While Jewish people suffered the most, many others were also hurt, forced to work, and killed. The Holocaust teaches us that when one group is targeted, everyone can be at risk. It did not happen all at once. It happened over many years with planned attacks against Jewish people. In Germany, it became a crime just to be Jewish. People who tried to help were also punished.
The Holocaust teaches us how dangerous hate and lies can be if no one speaks up. Learning about the Holocaust and other violence helps people be kinder and more understanding. It is important to stop hate and false information by sharing the truth. We should support laws that protect all people and treat everyone equally. This can help stop hate, lies, and unfair treatment. By learning from the past and teaching others, we can make the world a fairer and kinder place. This also honors those who suffered in the Holocaust and helps us build a better future for everyone. This terrible event teaches us important lessons about why we must stand up against hate and unfair treatment of others.
PROMPT I
In a digital age marked by the rapid spread of hate speech and misinformation, how can the lessons of the Holocaust empower us to combat contemporary forms of prejudice and discrimination? Share a personal experience about a time you stood up against hate and discrimination
PROMPT II
The Holocaust teaches us how hatred and prejudice can grow and lead to terrible violence. How can people today use these lessons to speak out against hate and protect others from discrimination? Use examples from history, current events, or your own experiences to support your answer.
Essay Writing Guidelines
Entries must be typed, double-spaced, and include a title page that lists the author’s name, school, teacher, grade, phone number, and email address. Submissions missing requested information will automatically be disqualified. Essays will NOT be returned.
o Middle School essays should be no more than 250 words
o High School essays should be 250 – 500 words
Entries must be postmarked by March 10th
Teachers may send a MAXIMUM of ten essays per classroom
Entries are to be mailed to
Jewish Federation of Greater Baton Rouge
14241 Coursey Blvd., A-12 #356
Baton Rouge, LA 70817
Contest finalists will be contacted ahead of time, and winners will be announced at a special Holocaust Memorial Service.
Details of this event will follow later.
Prizes will be awarded in each division of the contest.
1st place $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble, $50 cash
2nd place $35 gift card to Barnes & Noble, $25 cash
3rd place $35 gift card to Barnes & Noble, $20 cash