Areyvut’s Annual Bnai Mitzvah Video Essay Contest

Areyvut recognizes Bnai Mitzvah students throughout the world who have chosen to make a difference by actively contributing to their communities.  The contest is geared towards students who have chosen to participate in a Mitzvah Project as part of their Bnai Mitzvah. Participants in the video essay contest create a video that tells how they incorporated the values of chesed (kindness), tzedakah (philanthropy) and tikkun olam (social justice) into their project. Students in grades 5-10 are eligible for this contest and prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners and winners are invited to participate in Areyvut sponsored events.  Areyvut will also post your winning video essay on their website as a model for students who are just beginning to plan their Bnai Mitzvah projects.

Grand Prize: iPod Touch* or $250 Apple Gift Card
2nd Prize: Insignia Digital Camcorder* or $100 Gap Gift Card**
3rd Prize: $50 Barnes and Noble Gift Card

*The make or model of the item may vary based on the price at time of purchase.
**Gift Card can also be used at Banana Republic, Old Navy, piperlime.com and athleta.com.

Create a video (2-7 minutes) that captures why and how you incorporated (or will incorporate) the values of chesed (kindness), tzedakah (charity) and tikkun olam (social justice) into your Bnai Mitzvah celebration. Deadline is Friday, December 31, 2010.

Please be sure to answer the following questions in your video:

• How did (or how will) you make the values of chesed, tzedakah and tikkun olam an important part of your Bnai Mitzvah celebration?
• Why did (or will) you participate in a service project?
• Why did you choose this particular project?
• How did (or how will) this project impact your Bnai Mitzvah celebration?
• If you already had your Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration, how have you continued your project?

To learn more about this contest, and to see the videos of previous winners, please visit http://www.areyvut.org/bnai_mitzvah/essay_contest/ and see The Official Rules and entry form.

Areyvut, translated from Hebrew, means “responsibility.” Responsibility to one’s community, responsibility to the world. But when it comes to what Areyvut is about, responsibility is just the beginning.