Thank goodness for the artwork of creative and optimistic children! It’s easy to feel despondent. Increased anti-Semitism. Polarization. Divisiveness. Heck, even the Broncos’ spectacularly bad season. All the more so during the shortest days of the year, when little sunshine is to be had.
Enter: The IJN Chanukah Coloring Contest! It’s impossible not to smile as the entries roll in. It seems that year after year, making the final selection becomes harder and harder.
Among those that don’t win are always ones that leave a lasting impression. I know that each kid treasures his or her drawing, so I want each contestant to know that every single piece of artwork is received and reviewed, in person. Your entries don’t go into a black hole (unlike my email from Dec. 2-Dec. 5).
Here are some entries I thought were particularly worthy of mention, even if they didn’t snag a podium finish.
One, which you can find on page 7 of Section D was disqualified on a technicality. Dylan Sturman’s let’s call it “Still Life of Chanukah,” a beautifully composed and penciled Chanukah scene, included his name on the artwork. As the contest is judged blindly, we unfortunately couldn’t include Dylan’s for consideration.
Then there are those that just make you smile. Like Athena Darrell’s entry of a menorah with the words “I love you Aba” written across the front, complete with red heart. Or Chaya Serebryanski’s depiction of a table filled with multiple menorahs — a large “family” one and smaller ones, presumably for the children. Also on the table? A newspaper front page announcing the contest winners.
As graphic novels have grown in popularity among young adult readers, comics have been incorporated into entries in recent years. “What Hanukka Means to Me” was Ma’ayan Laufer’s comic, with panels about dreidels, latkes and family.
Every year various motifs emerge, usually picking up on a current trend. For some reason, cats were big this year, particularly among the younger grades.
Finally, there are the entries that spark my imagination. Such as Conrad Woods’ menorah depicting the fifth night. Almost always menorahs are depicted with all eight candles blazing. I wonder what makes the fifth night specifically special to this young artist?
Reviewing all these entries before Chanukah starts is like the ultimate movie trailer: Now I’m pumped for Chanukah gelt, latkes, candle lighting and, most of all, sufganiyot!
Happy Chanukah!
Shana Goldberg may be reached at [email protected].
