Jewish News and WIZO UK team up to award young storytellers

A new-found love for art and a grandpa who never gives up were the themes of this year’s winning entries in JN Junior’s Young Writers’ competition.

For the fourth year running, Jewish News teamed up with WIZO (Women’s International Zionist Organisation) UK and Jewish children’s book charity PJ Library, and invited budding writers to put their thoughts on who inspires them down on paper (or screen).

Entries came in from all over London and beyond and ranged from Queen Esther to Queen Elizabeth, from Pele to Steve Jobs, from Lin-Manuel Miranda to different family members, but it was a fictional piece about being inspired to see the world differently through art and a real-life tribute to a disabled grandpa that both wowed and moved the judges.

The judging panel included WIZO UK’s Sara Miller and Emma Yantin, the team at JN Junior and director of PJ Library in the UK Lauren Hamburger, with head judge – well-known writer and author Ivor Baddiel – having the all-important final say.

First place for the primary school category went to eight-year-old Sophia Bitton from Edgware for her hand-written tribute My Grandpa. The Year 3 Sinai pupil said: “My grandpa is deaf and blind but he does the most amazing things and I feel immensely proud of him. I want the message of my piece to be that even if you have disabilities, you should never give up and enjoy life.”  Ivor Baddiel said: “Sophia’s is a really lovely mix of factual information and great descriptions. It’s pacy and captivating, and saves the reveal till the end – really, really good.”

Sophia was painting when she looked over and saw the details for the competition in the paper. “My mum filmed me reading the tribute out and sent it to my grandma, who read it to my grandpa – they live in Bournemouth. They both had tears in their eyes and were very touched by it.”

Home-educated Alexandra Rohvarger, 11, from Horsham in West Sussex won the secondary category with her piece of fictional creative writing, Timeless Colours. It tells the story a Jewish girl who has no interest in art until a chance meeting with a Jewish art exhibitor while on holiday. The girl is inspired to view art differently.

Baddiel called Alexandra’s “a really interesting and original interpretation of the theme. It’s well written and with a very authentic feel to it, I believe every word”.

Alexandra, who is home-schooled, regularly attends the local Chabad, where she learns Jewish studies. She loves writing and her mother came across the competition on the PJ Library website. Alexandra said: “My brother has a thick encyclopaedia of animals. I like looking at the photos, as well as on the internet, and I was inspired by the astonishing colour and variety. I got the idea of the art festival from museums, and from the various similar outdoor occasions around the UK.” She added: “I was so excited and delighted to find out I’d won and so happy to know that my piece was noticed, more than anything else. I’m very grateful to Jewish News, WIZO and PJ library.”

Seven-year-old Marnie Camlett from Forest School in Snaresbrook, was named runner-up in the primary category for her amusing poem My Mummy. Marnie said: “I love reading and am on the 7th Harry Potter book. I’m excited to win and receive some books from PJ Library.” Ivor said: Marnie’s poem was really funny, it bounces along chirpily, good use of language and I love the chutzpah of the ending.”

Daniel Pesin, who is in Year 11 at Westminster, was runner-up in the secondary group for his powerful piece about victims of the Holocaust. Ivor said: “Daniel’s is very evocative and well written. Interestingly structured and a very powerful ending.”

Daniel said: “I am very interested in Jewish history, and in the lost world of the shtetl, which was home to many of my ancestors. I was very much inspired by my Year 8 English teacher, Mr Rosenthal, who developed my passion for writing and helped me get closer to understanding what it means to be Jewish. These experiences have inspired me to put my thoughts about the shtetl into words, so I decided to enter the competition.”

Maureen Fisher, CEO, WIZO UK, said: “Lacking vital literacy skills impacts every stage of life. The ability to read, write and communicate effectively not only enriches an individual’s life, but it creates opportunities for people to develop skills that will help them provide for themselves and their family. WIZO was delighted to sponsor the Young Writers’ competition. Education is at the heart of so many of WIZO’s 800 projects, always empowering the vulnerable and disadvantaged Israeli citizens in its care, regardless of race or religion.”

PJ Library’s Lauren Hamburger reflected: “Reading through the entries for this year’s competition, it was fascinating to see who is inspiring the next generation of writers. Whether it’s the a sports star, a courageous grandparent, or the day-to-day support from a parent, it’s hard to predict what children actually think of adults, and where the next powerful piece of writing is going to come from. Mazal tov to all the winners and runners up!”