About a year and a half ago, thanks to the connective power of social media, several accomplished and award-winning Jewish women’s authors of books for children decided to form a group: The Book Meshuggenahs! We now have 16 members, and we hail from the United States and Israel.
Our mission: Encourage young readers to explore the rich worlds of Jewish books that our group creates – and invite them to create, as well.
This is why we have started what we hope will become an annual “Chaiku” contest for children. Kids in elementary through high school we hope will have fun and flex their creative “muscles” by writing short poetry – that is, haiku –that captures or expresses Jewish topics and themes.
Our contest runs through May 31 and encompasses April, which is National Poetry Month. Not only that, but April 17 is International Haiku Poetry Day, and April 30 is Poem In Your Pocket Day. After May 31, we will select 8 winners. Each winner will receive one of our autographed books.
For more information about our group members and the contest, including some guidelines for writing haiku and how to submit entries, please visit our Facebook page.
And don’t hesitate to contact us at with questions. “Chappy Chaiku-ing!”
The Whole Megillah 