Machshava is the Hebrew word for thought. It’s the perfect name for Epstein Hebrew Academy’s literary magazine, as the Machshava encompasses thoughts reflected throughout the St. Louis Jewish community.

Thought is a purposely vague term, opening the door for a myriad of interpretations—precisely the mindset that the Machshava hopes to inspire for its inaugural issue.

Daniel Shanker is a Kadimah High School student serving as co-editor of Machshava with classmate Avital Vorobeychik. Both students are also members of the Jewish Light’s monthly Ohr Chadash teen page.

“Students in preschool through 12th grade can submit artwork, poems or short works of fiction (500 words or less), sending powerful messages, humor and inspiration to their community,” said Shanker.

Students at EHA will work together to edit and arrange submissions as part of an extra-curricular activity. The students plan to publish an issue of Machshava a year.

“This year the theme we chose is ‘Moving Forward Together.’ We hope students are inspired to share their experiences moving through the difficulties of the past two years,” said Vorobeychik.

Elissa Schachter is the faculty advisor to the student editors of the literary magazine. She and her co-advisor Jackie Zitin have taken a back seat to students in order to give them ownership of this special project.

“The Machshava provides a wonderful opportunity for young Jewish writers and artists to showcase their unique creative talents,” said Schachter.

“It is the perfect place to publish their work for the St. Louis Jewish Community to see,” added Zitin.

Students age preschool through 12th grade from all area schools are invited to submit thoughtful, creative works in English or Hebrew, for publication in the literary magazine.

Submit original work as a PDF to [email protected], or drop it off in the EHA main office by April 29.