The Craig and Barbara Weiner
Holocaust Reflection Contest at FAU
Top banner image courtesy of Craig Weiner
Florida Atlantic is very proud to be the new home of
The Craig and Barbara Weiner
Holocaust Reflection Contest at FAU
Objectives: The program aims to engage middle and high school students in meaningful Holocaust education through personal reflection, creative expression, and historical understanding. Key objectives include:
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Fulfill Florida's Education Mandate
Florida Statute 1003.42 (1994, amended 2020) requires Holocaust instruction in middle and high schools. Participation in the contest supports compliance with this mandate while offering a rich, impactful learning experience.
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Deliver a Powerful Educational Impact
Students go beyond textbook learning by listening to firsthand survivor testimonies. These personal stories help cultivate empathy, social awareness, and a profound understanding of human rights and moral responsibility.
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Encourage Creative Engagement
Through writing and art, students reflect on Holocaust history in personally meaningful ways. These creative outlets help students connect past events and current societal issues.
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Inspire Future Change-Makers
The contest motivates students to consider the importance of social justice, equality, and individual responsibility, nurturing a new generation of informed, compassionate, and active citizens.
A Meaningful Teaching Opportunity
Teachers Win Too!
In each category – Middle School and High School:
🏆 1st Place Teachers win $500
🥈 2nd Place Teachers win $250
Your guidance makes a difference – and it’s rewarded!
Teachers who submit 10 or more student entries will receive a $25 gift card as a thank-you for participating.
Teachers participating in the Holocaust Reflection Contest often share that it becomes one of the most impactful experiences of their academic year. While it's natural to approach this complex subject with care, especially with younger learners, educators consistently find that the testimonies of Holocaust survivors deeply resonate with students, sparking thoughtful discussion and personal growth.
By guiding your students through this journey, you empower them to reflect on the lessons of the past and consider how those lessons apply to their own lives. Young people are naturally invested in the future—let's help them explore the importance of human rights, social justice, and equality through meaningful acts of personal responsibility.
We can inspire the next generation to build a more compassionate and just world!
Reflecting Through Art, Digital Media, Poetry, and Essays
Inspired by the powerful testimonies of Holocaust survivors, we are reminded of timeless lessons in resilience, empathy, and the unbreakable strength of the human spirit. The Holocaust Reflection Contest invites middle and high school students to explore how these lessons resonate in their lives and shape our diverse society's future.
Through artistic expression – whether in visual art, poetry, essays, or digital media – students are encouraged to share their reflections, emotions, and aspirations. These creative works are meaningful opportunities for others to engage with Holocaust history and deepen their understanding of its lasting impact.
According to results from a 2020 Echoes and Reflections* survey, students exposed to Holocaust education demonstrate higher critical thinking skills and a greater sense of social responsibility, as well as civic engagement, if survivor testimony was part of their experience.
Stories of Survival. Legacies of Inspiration.
The compelling stories of Holocaust survivors offer profound wisdom and critical lessons for future generations. The annual Holocaust Reflection Contest challenges students across Florida to engage with these testimonies personally and creatively.
Participants are invited to select a survivor's story that speaks to them and express their reflections through one of the following formats:
- Written Expression: Essay or poem
- Digital Media: Video or automated presentation
- Visual Arts: Original artwork
A panel of volunteer educators and community leaders carefully evaluates all entries.
Submission Details:
Entries must be submitted online.
The submission form will be available from Monday, January 5, through Wednesday, February 11, 2026.