Winter 2010 Contest

On the eve of Yom Kippur we ask for forgiveness. If we have not wronged anyone, we slap someone and then we ask for forgiveness. If they refuse to forgive, we annoy them until they forgive. Then we must ask forgiveness for annoying them. Pregnant women are exempt.
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Dramatic musical opening. Enthusiastic applause. Host appears.

Thank you, thank you. Ahem. Ok, folks. Thank you. Settle down. Thank you. Ahem. Ok. I love you too. Thank you.

The United Nations Election Monitoring Committee just finished counting…

Voting is now closed.

We will be announcing the contest winners in a short while. Please check back soon.

Related Links:
Announcing: Submission Contest
Submission Contest Update
Submission Contest Update: Finalists

Get your ballots out because the voting is soon to begin! We received many great entries. And to borrow the contemporary feel-good slogan: All are winners. But it isn’t just a slogan. The qualified submissions all had something going…

“He’s not coming,” I said, and threw my finished cigarette on the ground. I moved my shoe over the remnants of the butt, about to be extinguished by my ballet flat. I took a deep breath and exhaled as the…

These days, I cruise the streets of Williamsburg—Marcy Avenue, Wythe Avenue, Bedford—camera dangling from my neck, protected by my flannel jacket, pillowed against my chest. I pedal slowly, on the lookout for my mark. I never know in advance what…

As a teenager I read an article in Cosmo about how guys with stubble like the red they can bring to a woman’s cheeks during kissing: It’s a she’s-so-tender-I’m-so-tough type of thing. The first time I saw a Chasid, his beard looked vaguely terrifying. I’ve always hated beards, macho like my Dad’s, like Hulk...
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I Love You, Brother. You’re a part of me, and I can’t let go. My heart hurts that yours is broken. I watch you twist and turn and I feel knotted up inside. I see you blink back tears, and my own eyes sting. I smile when you smile, brother. Because I do care and I...
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A jet black peyoh trapped between a pillow and a cheek, its lower twist and curl intact, a white wool night Kappel still firmly on its bearer’s head. The slumber was young and deep.  Before Yoel had got to bed,…

Dark, dark, oh so dark
Yet also comforting; the warm blackness
You can turn on the lights.
You might even succeed in bringing in some warmth,
Possibly even a…