Metro Detroit teens explored antisemitism, racism and Jewish family life in winning entries for Wayne State’s Jewish writing competition.

The Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies at Wayne State University is pleased to announce that Jacob Aronov and Lihi Maine of Frankel Jewish Academy are the winners of its Annual High School Jewish Writing Competition.

This competition, now in its ninth year, invites high school students across the Metro Detroit area to submit an essay or poetry on any Jewish-related topic. The goal of this competition, Center Director Howard Lupovitch explains, is “to encourage burgeoning young Jewish intellectuals to think and write not only reflectively but critically — an especially important skill at a time when 140 characters passes for a complete thought.”

Jacob Aronov’s entry titled “Same Wound, Different Names: Antisemitism and Racism as Parallel Forms of Discrimination” describes how antisemitism and racism, although different, have many aspects in common.

Lihi Maine’s entry titled “One Missing Seat” emphasizes the important role of family in keeping Jewish religious life alive in an ever-changing world.

Aronov received a cash prize of $500 for first place, and Maine received $100 as the Honorable Mention. Their entries are available online at the center’s website: https://judaicstudies.wayne.edu/2026-writing-competition-winners.

The announcement for the 10th annual competition will appear this fall.

Story by: JN Staff | The Detroit Jewish News