Morris J. and Betty Kaplun Foundation Essay Contest
Direct application
$1,800
12 winners
Eligibility
Major
Philosophy Religion
Education level
High school
About this scholarship
Students in grades 7 through 9 (Level 1) and grades 10 through 12 (Level 2) may enter the annual Morris J. and Betty Kaplun Foundation Essay Contest on assigned Jewish-heritage and ethics topics.
Two first-place winners, one per level, each receive $1,800. Five additional winners per level receive $500 each, for twelve total awards.
Submit essays online by the published deadline. The contest encourages students to reflect on heritage, values, and Judaism's contributions to civilization.
Essay questions
What else to submit
- Online essay submission
- Entrant chooses ONE level/topic based on grade: Level 1 = grades 7-9, Level 2 = grades 10-12
- Level 1 essays: maximum 1,000 words; Level 2 essays: maximum 1,500 words
- Only one submission per entrant
- Open to students worldwide and of any faith; must be in 8th grade or above to enter
- Submission deadline: 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on March 15, 2026
- Submitted via the official Reviewr microsite (my.reviewr.com)
- Choose one contest level and assigned topic based on grade: Level 1 for grades 7–9 or Level 2 for grades 10–12.
- Level 1 essay maximum: 1,000 words; Level 2 essay maximum: 1,500 words.
- Only one submission per entrant.
- Submit through the official Reviewr microsite.