Donate
Back to all Programs

Young Writers Competition

ICEI’s annual Young Writers Competition inspires students to sharpen their writing skills, discover their unique voice, and ultimately, write more. 

The competition takes place in grades 3-6 across our network of Hebrew-speaking schools. Some 5,000 students write and submit short stories each year.

In the coming years, we plan to expand the competition to our network of Arabic-speaking schools.

Young Writers Competition
2 girls write an essay

Writing Short Stories

Teachers in ICEI’s network of Hebrew-speaking schools guide their students through the writing process. Children learn how to describe events, develop characters, craft dialogue, evoke atmosphere, and work through multiple drafts to produce the very best stories they can write.

Tal Mosery and a child receives a certificate

Awards Ceremony

Each spring, the competition culminates in a festive awards ceremony celebrating a love of reading and writing, as well as the more than 500 young writer finalists who participate. Thousands of additional students take part by Zoom from their classrooms.

Receiving certificates on stage

Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Hebrew Children’s Literature

At the ceremony, ICEI presents a Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Hebrew Children’s Literature to honor a major Hebrew children’s book writer. Past recipients are Leah Naor, Nurit Zarchi, Smadar Shir, Galila Ron Feder Amit, Ephraim Sidon, Yehuda Atlas, Shlomo Abbas, Meir Shalev, and Nava Macmel-Atir. At the event, our young writers hear first-hand from these literary giants about their own evolution as writers, along with writing tips and inspiration.

Winners at the President’s House

In December 2022, ICEI had the honor and privilege of bringing the winners of the 2022 Young Writers Competition to meet with President Isaac Herzog and Michal Herzog. 23 students from 17 schools throughout the country, alongside parents and teachers, came to the President's House to learn about the history and role of the Israeli presidency and share about their writing with the President. President Herzog and Michal Herzog were very impressed with our young writers and encouraged them to continue writing, reading, and fostering a love for Hebrew literature.

ICEI Alumna, Kidist Sisai, at the ICEI Young Writers Competition Award Ceremony, 2023

TV Interview with 2022 ICEI Young Writers Competition Award Winners

Testimonials

“I used to really dislike writing, but something clicked when I wrote this story, and I couldn’t stop. I kept writing, even during recess at school. Now I can’t wait to write more stories.”
LirazA 6th grader from Yavne school and a finalist in the 2022 Young Writers Competition
“Sometimes I feel like people see me differently. That's why I decided to write a story from my own perspective that is not only interesting but also carries an important message… Winning a national writing competition gave me so much confidence, and I still use what I learned about writing in my exams and school assignments.”
Maayan WarkehA 15-year-old alum from the Yavne School in Hadera, who won the award in 2018 for a story she wrote about a new immigrant who is rejected and bullied at school
“These are tomorrow’s writers, and they are receiving the best tools to help them succeed. The fruits of their writing will one day fill our country and it is ICEI that sowed the seeds.”
Nava Macmel-AtirAcclaimed writer and winner of ICEI’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.
Previous
Next