Erika Dreifus

Toward the end of each week, the My Machberet blog presents a collection of links, drawn primarily from the world of Jewish books. This week, I’m highlighting current opportunities in the Jewish-writing space.

• March 22 is the deadline set by Muestras Konsejas “Our Tales”: The National Sephardic Essay Competition, a new offering from the Sephardic Studies Program of the University of Washington & The Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood Foundation. NB: Note that despite the use of “essay” in the title, writers are invited to enter “an original, previously unpublished work of prose (fictional or memoiristic) that gives voice to the experiences of the Ladino-speaking Sephardic Jewish communities (whether from family lore, lived experience, community heritage, life stories, etc.).” The competition will feature two categories: “Student’”(18+) and “Adult.” Cash prizes and publication. Additional note:s “You do not need to be Sephardic to apply.” “You do not need to be a US Citizen to apply.”
• March 22 is the application deadline for a U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum-organized writing retreat for Holocaust scholars. Applicants must have earned a PhD; must be North American-based Holocaust scholars who are untenured, contingent, or working outside academia; and must be in the writing phase of an original research project related to the field of Holocaust studies. Retreat awards include five (5) nights’ lodging; all meals; and transportation costs reimbursable up to $1,000. Participants are responsible for securing transportation to and from the retreat site in Virginia. There is no fee to apply.
• March 31 is the deadline to submit applications for PJ Library Picture Book Summer Camp: “PJ Library invites authors and author-illustrators interested in developing Jewish-themed picture books to apply for the 3rd annual Picture Book Summer Camp for five days of inspiration, mentorship, fun, and creativity! This opportunity is for emerging creatives whose work has not yet been published, or who have no more than one published picture book.” Acceptance in to the late-August program, which will take place at the Highlights Foundation in Pennsylvania, “covers tuition, lodging, and meals. Stipends to cover domestic and international costs for travel to the retreat center will once again be available from PJ Library (details will be provided upon program acceptance).”  
• April 1 is the deadline for applications for the next cohort of the Jewish Women’s Archive’s Rising Voices Fellowship, “a platform for young Jewish women and non-binary teens…who have a passion for writing, and a strong interest in feminism and Judaism—particularly as they relate to social justice.” UPDATED TO NOTE: “This year, we are introducing a sliding scale for the Rising Voices Fellowship program fee, which can be paid monthly or as a one-time payment. We are committed to making the program accessible to all, and we will work with Fellows and their families to ensure cost is not a barrier to participation.”
• The Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) is seeking a Features & Special Projects Editor. “We are open to editors living anywhere in the United States or Israel; our team’s hours are generally East Coast time. Editors living in the New York area will have the opportunity to work part-time from an informal office. This is a full-time position with benefits, including Jewish holidays off. Our salary range for this position is $75,000 to $85,000, depending on experience and other factors.” No deadline indicated.

Remember! You can also find homes for your work/opportunities for your work beyond explicitly “Jewish” spaces. Find current calls/deadlines in the latest issue of The Practicing Writer 2.0 (a monthly newsletter) and in weekly “Markets and Jobs” posts on the Practicing Writing blog. And check the dropdown menu for this site’s Resources tab for even more guidance.