The Annual Kaplun and Asher Essay Contest
Write an expository essay on:
My favorite hero or heroine, Biblical, historical, or contemporary, and his or her influence on Jewish history and/or Jewish values.
Due Dates:
· Thursday, October 22th Choose a hero or heroine by this date.
Begin researching immediately, taking notes.
Research how this person influenced Jewish
history and/or Jewish values.
Be careful to write all notes using your own
words, unless you use quotation marks.
· Thursday, October 29 Opening creative paragraph due; it must conclude
with a three pronged thesis statement (This will be
explained in class) There will be a hand-out
explaining and illustrating how to do this.
SAVE on your computer AND memory stick!
· Thursday, November 5 Corrected opening paragraph due + 3 body
paragraphs, each beginning with a clear topic
sentence . (This will be taught in class.)
SAVE on your computer AND memory stick!
· Thursday, November 12 Corrected opening paragraph+ corrected 3 body
paragraphs + concluding paragraph due.
SAVE on your computer AND memory stick!
· Thursday, November 19 Final fully corrected paper due
Model of Opening Paragraph for Kaplun /Asher Essay
with thesis statement underlined and bolded:
A GUEST IN HIS TENT
The scalding desert sun beats down mercilessly on the bleached
coverings of his tent. Though it would be more comfortable if the sides
of the tent were folded to protect him from the suffocating dry heat, he,
nonetheless, sits with not only one side of his tent securely rolled, but all
four. He selflessly watches for travelers from all four directions, anxious
to welcome them into his home and to refresh and serve them , sharing
the many blessings he has been given, This man is our forefather,
Abraham, who welcomed guests into his tent from four corners of the
Earth. How we would be inspired being guests in his tent today! We,
today, are also weary and thirsty travelers, traveling through life. The
values of Abraham, our forefather, inspires us to have faith and
commitment, to perform acts of chesed and selflessness, and to sustain
ourselves with optimism and hope for the future.