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The Elie Wiesel Foundation Honors Next Generation of Ethical Thinkers

The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity recently revealed the winners of the 2025 Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest. This prestigious competition, established by the renowned Nobel Peace Prize winner and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel and his wife, Marion, celebrates college students who tackle important ethical issues through reflective essays. This year, the foundation received a record number of submissions, underscoring the growing engagement of young minds with pressing moral questions.

The Rise of Ethical Discourse Among Students

As the world faces numerous ethical dilemmas, from environmental challenges to social injustices, the need for thoughtful discourse has never been greater. The Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest fosters this dialogue by encouraging students to develop critical thinking and express their views on complex moral issues. Students draw inspiration from their personal experiences and cultural backgrounds as they explore these themes in their essays.

Elisha Wiesel, the son of Elie and Marion Wiesel, remarked on his parents’ dedication to moral education, stating, "Their classrooms extended beyond school walls and into everyday conversations, always encouraging curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking." This year’s winners exemplify this commitment, demonstrating that ethical action stems from understanding and compassion.

Meet the 2025 Winners

In a highly competitive selection process, four outstanding essays emerged as winners:

• - First Place: Jack David Carson, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Carson's essay, titled We Know Only Men Reading Emmanuel Levinas on The Rez, explores the repercussions of historical traumas such as the Holocaust and the Trail of Tears. He draws parallels between Jewish and Cherokee experiences, advocating for a universal ethics rooted in communal care and shared responsibility.

• - Second Place: Kashish Kumar, Columbia University

Kumar's essay, A Symphony in Silence, addresses environmental injustices faced by marginalized communities in Taiwan and the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. She challenges readers to consider the ethical implications of silence in the face of suffering while emphasizing the crucial role of advocacy.

• - Third Place: An anonymous student from Duke University

This deeply personal essay reflects on the author's mother's experiences and engages with the complexities surrounding abortion. By confronting inherited beliefs and fostering empathy, it navigates the moral intricacies surrounding life and choice.

• - Honorable Mention: Sierra Bostwick, Northern Arizona University

Bostwick's essay, Haunting, recounts her childhood in Xinjiang, China, and the loss of her Uyghur friends amid oppressive political forces. It reflects her internal conflict between speaking out against genocide and maintaining personal ties to her friends.

Unique Opportunities for Winners

In addition to receiving scholarships totaling $19,000, the winners will participate in a seminar in New York City focused on ethical discussions. Led by Rabbi Avraham Rosen, a former student of Elie Wiesel, this seminar creates a platform for winners to dive deeper into their ideas and insights.

Dov Seidman, a jury member and founder of The HOW Institute for Society, expressed his pride in collaborating with the Elie Wiesel Foundation, stating, "This remarkable group of student winners, who are already making a difference in the world, embody the hope that a new generation of moral leaders will rise to meet the challenges before us."

Looking Ahead

The Elie Wiesel Foundation is set to open submissions for the 2026 Prize in Ethics Essay Contest in the fall of 2025. This competition welcomes applications from all undergraduate students enrolled full-time at accredited colleges and universities, encouraging them to explore their own ethical dilemmas and articulate potential actions. With an eye toward fostering a culture of moral reflection, the foundation invites students to contribute their voices to the ongoing conversation about ethics in society.

To find out more details about the contest and stay updated, visit the Elie Wiesel Foundation's official website.

As more students engage in ethical debates, the legacy of Elie Wiesel continues to inspire new generations to think critically about their roles in addressing the moral challenges of our time.