Stop Hate Challenge, Spring 2025

 

The Orange County Stop Hate Challenge is sponsored by Zachor Antisemitism Initiative, Jewish Federation of Greater Orange Co, NY. to promote tolerance and understanding through education

Topic: The United Nations: Peace, dignity & equality on a healthy planet.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Cash prizes of $200 each will be awarded to the winning submissions from grades 6-8 and 9-12.
In addition, prizes of $100 each will be awarded to the teachers of the winning students.
Two Honorable Mentions are awarded, $100 for students and $50 for teachers in each grade group.

All student submissions are due no later than: March 28, 2025

Prompt: In 1948, the United Nations (U.N.) created the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as a response to horrific events during the Holocaust– the systematic genocide of the Jewish people, 1941-1945– and World War II. The hope was to prevent such atrocities from occurring again by outlining fundamental human rights of all people; including: Life, liberty, security, freedom of expression and movement, education, health and employment, regardless of race or religion.

Watch 2 short videos:
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) And
Everyone Has the Right: Eleanor Roosevelt and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Review, Articles of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and reflect on Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote: “Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In a small place, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps around the world… Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere”, Eleanor Roosevelt, Chairperson, UN General Assembly Drafting Commission on Human Rights

Reflecting on the videos, quotes, and some of the Articles outlined in The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, prepare an expression in the form of an essay, poem or song (MP3) about why you think that the UDHR is the most translated document in all the world, and what meaning does one or more of the declarations have in your family’s history?

1st Five Abbreviated Articles:
Article 1.  All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

Article 2.  Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Article 3.  Everyone has the right to life, liberty and the security of person.

Article 4.  No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5.  No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

All 30 Articles: https://www.ohchr.org/en/human-rights/universal-declaration/translations/english

More quotes regarding human rights, diversity, equity & inclusion:

“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.”  Nelson Mandela

"Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization."  Mahatma Gandhi
 
"We will all profit from a more diverse, inclusive society, understanding, accommodating, even celebrating our differences, while pulling together for the common good." — Ruth Bader Ginsburg

"Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly" — Martin Luther King, Jr.

“No human race is superior; no religious faith is inferior. All collective judgments are wrong. Only racists make them.” — Elie Wiesel

*Please include references and citations of sources from scholarly material at the end of your essay or poem when appropriate.
*Judges are interested in your unique and personal reflections on the topic.

REQUIREMENTS:
1. Students must be residents of Orange County; in grades 6-12 attending public, private or home schools. ELL and ML students may submit their essay, poem or song (MP3), in their primary language– we ask that a sponsoring teacher send an English translation

2. Maximum word count is 500 words for grades 6-8, and 800 words for grades 9-12

3. All submissions must be original. AI generated material will be disqualified. You must cite sources when appropriate

• Include a cover page with your name, grade, school, sponsoring teacher, and teacher contact information
• Include a title on the first page of the essay or poem
• Entries must be typed, and double-spaced. Song lyrics must accompany MP3 file
• Submit entry as a PDF file not as a Google doc

*Do not put your name or identifying information on the essay, poem or song-- only on the cover-page

4. Email submissions as an attachment to: zachor@jewishorangeny.org
Include the following information in the body of your email:

• Your full name, email address & grade level
• School’s name & district
• Teacher’s name & email address
• Parent/Guardian’s name, phone number and email address

5. Emailed entries must be received NO LATER THAN March 28, 2025
You may also visit: jewishorangeny.org/-stop-hate-challenge for directions and requirements

If you have questions please email: zachor@jewishorangeny.org

For PDF to print CLICK HERE!