Welcoming Russia to the 5th Annual MyLife: Chassidus Applied Essay Contest

As Judaism in Russia flourishes after a history of repression, we join Russian Jews in their tremendous spiritual revival by opening the MyLife: Chassidus Applied Essay Contest to Russian language entries. With the encouragement of Rabbi Berel Lazar, and under the leadership of Rabbi Oshi Goodman, Contest Director in Russia, we are proud to make this announcement.

Historically, Russia was a dangerous — often deadly — place to share the wisdom of Torah and Chassidus. Now there are numerous Chabad houses spreading the Rebbe’s Chassidus throughout the country. For Russian-language writers, the MyLife: Chassidus Applied Essay Contest offers an opportunity to spread the wellsprings in a personal way!

The MyLife: Chassidus Applied Essay Contest awards monetary prizes to the winning essays that apply an idea in Chassidus to a contemporary life issue or challenge. $10,000 is awarded to the first prize winner. $5,000 is the second place prize. $1,000 is the third place prize, and there is a special $500 student prize.

To view the MyLife Contest information in Russian and apply, visit meaningfullife.com/russiancontest.

Additionally, the MyLife Israel Division, under the leadership of Rabbi Dov Halperin, is turning up the volume by partnering with schools’ leadership all around Israel. Rabbi Halperin brought the contest directly to the Israeli Shluchim by speaking at the Annual Shluchim Kinus in Israel and presenting them with a compelling case for their participation as leaders in the “connection between Chassidus and real-world issues.” In addition to all of this, Rabbi Halperin has spearheaded the printing and distributing of thousands of booklets with sample essays unique to each demographic in order spread the word about the essay contest and show how relevant and doable it is to write and enter an essay.

Another exciting component of this year’s contest is the enthusiasm it is generating in schools all over the world. This year, MyLife is partnering with schools to encourage students to apply. In addition to the $500 MyLife: Chassidus Applied Essay Contest student prize, many of the partnering schools are running a sub-contest, providing prizes for winners in their own institutions. Other schools are incorporating the contest into the curriculum as a mandatory assignment. The Meaningful Life Center will be publicizing the winners of each participating school.

The outcome of this expansion into schools will push students to think about Chassidus on a daily basis. Whether it is difficulty with a homework assignment, an argument with a friend, or one of the more serious tribulations of life — students will discover the tools to apply chassidus to their lives.

Participating Mosdos

Bais Chaya Coral Springs

Beis Chana – Orange, CT

Beis Chomesh Toronto

Beis Menachem – Wilkes Barre, PA

Beis Rivka High School CH

Beis Rivkah High – Melbourne

Beis Rivka High – Montreal

Beth Rivka Montreal Seminary

Bnos Chomesh CH

Bnos Menachem CH

Boys High School – Johannesburg