Media Coverage
Atlanta Jewish Times
The Linda and Michael Weinroth Community Service Award went to Maccabee Anderson, the American Jewish Committee’s recipient (of the Chesed Award). The topic of his essay was: “If you had the ability to make a positive change in your community, what would that be?” Recognizing there are too few opportunities for young Jewish voices to be heard, Maccabee created a website, Joseph’s Inkwell, a student-run writing competition that provides a space where teen-aged Jewish writers can share their thoughts, struggles, and stories in their own words. Confronting themes such as antisemitism, tradition, belonging, and personal growth, the site gives them a place where their voices matter.
Atlanta Jewish Times
“I think that there is a lack of Jewish teen voices being heard. And those that are being heard are being heard through Instagram posts and through 60-second videos and slides. We miss the nuance and ingenuity that comes through with long form writing, essays, poetry, things that require editing and thought and time. It really is just so much deeper and so much more impactful than scrolling through a social media feed.” - Maccabee Anderson
Reform Judaism
The idea for Joseph's Inkwell was sparked by Maccabee's own experiences as a writer and his frustration with the lack of representation of Jewish teen voices in mainstream media. After visiting Auschwitz and both learning about and witnessing rising antisemitism in Poland, Maccabee realized the importance of creating a space for Jewish teens to share their thoughts, feelings, and stories. Drawing from his love of journalism and Jewish fantasy books, Maccabee decided to take matters into his own hands.