Student Contest

The Great Zionist Debate

Take a stand on Zionism

Through the Great Zionist Debate multimedia contest, middle and high school students are given the opportunity to use their critical thinking skills to argue for or against some of the most important issues that shaped modern Zionism.

Be a content creator and win big

Students can submit their responses in one of the following formats
(please see guidelines below)

Congratulations to our Great Zionist Debate winners

Thank you to the hundreds of students from 10+ countries who participated in the Great Zionist Debate student competition.

Grand Prize winner

Two round-trip airline tickets to Israel

Mia S. – Mount Scopus Memorial College, Australia

Four additional winners

$250 USD

  1. Shreya V. – Sir Manasseh Meyer International School, Singapore
  2. Sarah N. – Nishmat Adin Shalhevet Scottsdale, USA
  3. Noa G. – Mount Scopus Memorial College, Australia
  4. Yoav A. – Carmel Elsa High School, Hong Kong

Five additional winners

Epic Unpacked merch box

  1. Gabriel M. – Colegio Hebreo Tarbut, Mexico
  2. Leora P. – Tanenbaum CHAT, Canada
  3. Abbie L. – Mount Scopus Memorial College, Australia
  4. Max A. – Kesher Hebrew High School, Congregation Beth El, USA
  5. Michelle F. – Donna Klein Jewish Academy, USA

All winning content will be featured on the Unpacked for Educators website.

Winning Entry

Deadline

The 2022 – 2023 contest is open!

Entries accepted until March 15, 2023 (until 11:59PM EST)

Getting started

Each of the videos in the Zionism Revisited curriculum poses a question about Zionist ideology. Students can either defend or argue against statements presented in the videos. Students must prepare either a video, podcast (audio recording), or written essay with their argument.

Share this PDF outline of the contest with your students.
Be sure to share it digitally (email, google classroom, etc) as they will need access to the embedded links in order to watch each video.

Winners will be chosen based on the following criteria:

  • Organization and clarity: The argument is outlined in a clear and orderly way.
  • Use of argument: Reasons are given to support viewpoint
  • Use of example and facts: 2-3 examples and facts (at least one from the video) are given to support the arguments
  • Use of rebuttal: The opposing side of the argument must be presented.
  • Creativity: Added consideration for style and presentation.

Submit Entries

Students can submit their entries until February 28, 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

This frequently asked questions section will help you learn more about participating in this contest. If you have any additional questions, email us; we’d love to hear from you! – hello@unpacked.education.

Students have until midnight ET on March 15th, 2023

We can only accept one entry per person. Each student must submit their own individual work.

Each submission must be completely original. Any plagiarism will automatically disqualify students from the contest. 

No. Students can submit an entry through video, audio or written essay.

No. One submission will be accepted per participant. 

Upon receiving the prize, it’s up to the winner to decide how to use it.

Based on the following criteria:

  • Organization and clarity: The argument is outlined in a clear and orderly way.
  • Use of argument: Reasons are given to support viewpoint.
  • Use of example and facts: 2-3 examples and facts (at least one from the video) are given to support the arguments.
  • Use of rebuttal: The opposing side of the argument must be presented.
  • Creativity: Added consideration for style and presentation.

All winners will be notified on April 10, 2023 and the winner will be formally announced on Yom Ha’atzmaut (April 25, 2023).

Unfortunately we will not be able to respond to each individual student.

  • Grand Prize winner
    Two round-trip airline tickets to Israel
  • Four runners up
    $250 USD
  • Five additional winners – epic Unpacked merchandise box

The competition is open to entrants ages 11 to 19 years of age who are in an accredited middle school or high school around the world.

All entries must be submitted using this form. Teachers can submit on behalf of their students if needed, but be sure to fill out the requested information accordingly.

No special equipment is required. Entries are judged based more on content than on style, and so students shouldn’t worry if they don’t have experience with recording or editing. Great content can be made with even the most basic equipment.

Yes. If there is inappropriate content, proof of plagiarism, or problems with length we will have to disqualify the student’s entry. 

All of the research, writing, and editing should be done by students.

In Partnership With

UnitedEd

Zionism Contest Terms & Conditions

Introduction

By participating in the competition you are agreeing to these competition terms and conditions. The competition is being run by Unpacked for Educators, a division of OpenDor Media.

Eligibility to enter

The competition is open to entrants ages 11 to 19 years of age who are in an accredited middle school or high school around the world.

Note: The children and stepchildren of OpenDor Media employees are not eligible to enter these contests, nor are students who live in the same household as those employees.

By entering the competition, entrants confirm that they are eligible to do so and that they are eligible to receive any prizes that may be awarded to them. 

All submissions must be completely original work created by the participant.

There is a zero tolerance for plagiarism. Any submission that is suspected of plagiarism will be disqualified and the educational institution of the entrant will be notified. 

There is a limit of one entry per person and the competition is completely free to enter. Submitting more than one entry will disqualify participants from the contest. 

The prize

The winning prize will be two tickets to Israel*.

The prize is non-transferable and non-exchangeable; cash alternative of up to $3,000 may be provided.

We reserve the right to substitute prizes of equal or greater value if circumstances beyond our control require doing so.

Prize value will not exceed $3,000.

OpenDor Media’s decision on any aspect of the competition is final and binding.

Winners announcement

Winners will be chosen based on the following criteria:

  1. Organization & clarity: The argument is outlined in a clear and orderly way.
  2. Use of argument: Reasons as given to support viewpoint
  3. Use of example and facts: 2-3 examples and facts (at least one from the video) are given to support the arguments
  4. Use of rebuttal: The opposing side of the argument must be presented. 
  5. Creativity: Added consideration for style and presentation. 

Winners will be notified via their email address on April 10, 2023

OpenDor Media will make two attempts to contact the winner and winner’s teacher email provided.

If the winner or their teacher does not respond to the emails informing them of their win within 7 days of the second email, they forfeit their right to the prize, and OpenDor Media reserves the right to select and notify a new winner.

Data protection and publicity

The participant agrees that any personal information that is provided when entering the competition will be used by OpenDor Media for the purposes of administering the competition and for the other purposes as specified in our Privacy Policy.

All entrants may request information on the winning participant by emailing hello@unpacked.educucation.

If requested by OpenDor Media, the winner agrees to release their first name and name of school to any other competition participants.

The winner’s first name, school and country of residence will be announced on OpenDor Media’s website and social media channels.

Limitation of liability

OpenDor Media accepts no liability for any damage, loss, injury, or disappointment suffered by any entrants as a result of participating in the competition or being selected for a prize.

OpenDor Media is not responsible for printing or typographical errors in any related materials; stolen, fraudulent entries or email; or transactions that are processed or lost due to computer or electronic malfunctions. OpenDor Media is not responsible for entries not received or delayed due to difficulty accessing the Internet, service outages or delays, computer or mobile device difficulties, or other technological glitches. By entering the contest promotion, entrant releases OpenDor Media from any claims and liabilities arising from this contest.

General

OpenDor Media reserves the right, at any time and without prior notice, to cancel the competition or amend these terms and conditions.

*Tickets are limited to economy class only. 

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