We’re delighted to announce the launch of the Elaine Bermitz Young Writers Competition, giving young members of the community a chance to win a £75 voucher for Waterstones!
JLife contributor Elaine Bermitz sadly lost her battle with cancer recently. Elaine was a friend and long-standing writer with our magazine, writing community pieces in her own inimitable style. She was a talented and well-respected member of our community, with a passion for writing that shone through in everything she did.
In her memory, JLife, together with The Shrubberies Shul (Prestwich Hebrew Congregation), have joined forces to launch an annual competition encouraging young people in our community to share their voice and creativity through writing.
David Mintz, Chair of The Shrubberies Shul, said: “This is a great initiative, and I can’t think of a better way of honouring Elaine’s memory and legacy than encouraging the next generation of writers to showcase their creativity.”
“Elaine will be dearly missed, and her contribution to our publication was invaluable. Who knows, maybe the next hot-shot journalist is out there, ready to follow in her footsteps,” added Elliot Landy, Publisher of JLife Magazine.
Entrants are invited to write an article on the theme of ‘community’, or on any subject of their choice – fiction or factual, poem or opinion piece – that expresses their ideas and imagination.
Age categories
- Eight to 12 years
- 13 to 18 years
Prizes
Prizes are sponsored by Elaine’s husband, Richard Bermitz, and include Waterstones vouchers and the opportunity for the winning pieces to be published in JLife Magazine.
Richard will also select the winners and runners-up.
Both winners will receive a £75 voucher and both runners-up will receive a £25 voucher for Waterstones!
How to enter:
- Entries should be up to 500 words.
- Open to writers aged eight to 18 living in the Greater Manchester Jewish community.
- Please include your name, age, school, and contact details with your entry.
- Email your submission to jlife@nutsforprint.co.uk with the subject line ‘Elaine Bermitz Young Writers Competition’.
- Make sure that ages 16 and under have parents permission to enter!
Deadline for submissions: 20th December 2025.
Winners will be announced in the January 2026 issue of JLife Magazine and at a special presentation at The Shrubberies Shul.
