(Courtesy of Yair Leolam) This year, as a result of COVID-19 and the accompanying disruption and uncertainty in all our lives, we decided to shift the focus of Project Shine and created three contests dealing with the theme of “Finding the Good in Times of Crisis.” Each contest was open to two age groups, sixth to eighth and ninth to 12th graders. It was a great opportunity for students to remotely engage in something designed to raise their spirits as well as tap into their creative genius.

We are happy to share that Project Shine 2.0 had participants from over 25 Jewish schools from four countries (the U.S., Canada, South Africa and Israel) and from all streams of am Yisrael. Achdut and unity has never been more important for the Jewish people than during these uncertain times.

For next year we are looking to expand to more schools and more countries, so keep your eyes open for the Project Shine 3.0 announcement and help spread the word!

The winners and honorable mentions are as follows:

Junior Division Art Contest

First place – Talia Leubitz, seventh grade, Brauser Maimonides Academy, USA

Second place – Lexi Gelbard, sixth grade, Brawerman Elementary School, USA

Third place – Tzipporah Holzer, seventh grade, Chorev Girls Elementary School, Israel

Honorable Mention – Yael Marcus, eighth grade, Netivot Hatorah Day School, Canada

Junior Division Poetry Contest

First place – Noa Singer, sixth grade, Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy, USA

Second place – Jordan Meyerowitz, sixth grade, Bialik HDS-Viewmount, Canada

Third place – Dahlia Messeloff, sixth grade, Fuchs Mizrachi School, USA

Honorable Mention – Layla Negrin, sixth grade, Brawerman Elementary School, USA

Senior Division Art Contest

First place – Maytal Chelst, ninth grade, YUHSG/Central, USA

Second place – Adina Firestone, 11th grade, Chaviva High school for Girls, USA

Third place – Malka Moshkovits, ninth grade, Ulpanat Orot Girls School, Canada

Honorable Mention – Aryeh Ellis, 12th grade, Telshe Yeshiva High School, USA

Senior Division Poetry Contest

First place – Rachel Reichman, 11th grade, Bais Yaakov Machon Ora – Passaic, USA

Second place – Shani Basilyan, 11th grade, Bais Yaakov Machon Ora – Passaic, USA

Third place – Eliana Bane, 10th grade, Frisch School – Paramus, USA

Honorable Mention – Atara Koplowitz, ninth grade, Bruriah Girls High School – Elizabeth, USA

Video/Creative Art Contest

First place – Noa Alpern, sixth grade, Brawerman Elementary School, USA

Second place – Gabriel Lauter, sixth grade, King David Linksfield Senior Primary School, South Africa

Third place – Noam Mizrahi, seventh grade, Israel