Knesset's 2009 Essay Contest

Background: Global levels of anti-Semitism are at their highest in the past two decades. Acts of violence and vandalism against Jews have escalated around the globe, particularly in Europe, but also in the United States.
Historically, Christians have not done enough to combat anti-Semitism. Today, our Jewish brethren in Israel are facing a new kind of slander, a blood libel, that threatens to delegitimize them in the eyes of the world. We must meet that slander with the truth, and raise our collective voices in defense of the Jews living both in Israel and elsewhere.

Guidelines: Answer the question, “What is my responsibility as a Christian towards Israel and the Jewish people in the 21st century, and what is the proper response to the anti-Semitic claims of the new blood libel?”
Some things to consider as you are writing:
· What does the Bible say about this subject?
· How might the historical relationship between Christians and Jews affect our current relationship?
· Read the article, The New Blood Libel, on Knesset’s website at http://www.knessetclub.blogspot.com/
· How might high levels of anti-Semitism endanger Israel?

Rules:
- This contest is open to all full-time Oral Roberts University students in the 2008-2009 school year.
- The essay must be typed, double-spaced, in 12 point Times New Roman font.
- Length must be between 1,000 to 1,200 words.
- All outside sources of information must be properly cited in a Works Cited page attached to the essay.
- A minimum of two scripture references must be included.
- Include a cover page with the title, your full name, classification, email address and phone number, and the word count.
- Submit your essay by email to knessetclub@gmail.com no later than Friday, March 27th of 2009.

Prizes!
1st place includes:
- An all-expenses paid trip to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s annual Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. held May 3-5, 2009.
- Publication in Christians United For Israel’s national magazine, The Torch.
- The opportunity to read the essay as the opening of the Middle East Symposium to be held in late April.

- A scholarship to attend the CUFI summit in D.C., July 20-22, 2009.

2nd place includes:
- Publication in Christians United For Israel’s national magazine, The Torch.
- A scholarship to attend the CUFI Summit in D.C., July 20-22, 2009.

3rd place includes:
- A scholarship to attend the CUFI Summit in D.C., July 20-22, 2009.

- A copy of Rev. Hagee's "Jerusalem Countdown" and David Brog's "Standing With Israel"