2024 NATIONAL MEDAL
for Museum and Library Service Finalist

Adults

Growing Up Jewish in Shanghai

Lena Feld, a Brandeis National Committee member, was born in Shanghai, and currently lives in Metuchen. She will share her extraordinary life stories with us. Lena's grandparents settled in Shanghai fleeing pogroms in Russia, but by the time Mao Zedong established the People's Republic, her family left China. Many insights from Lena's past relate to current times.

Inexperienced

Inexperienced by Carol Smith (a Short Story Contest entry) 

 

 

The red and white sail catches the wind and the sunfish flies across Barnegat Bay. With my brother at the rudder, we’re two kids having fun, learning something new. Time to turn. Quick, duck. Come about, come about, come about! Blast. In the bay. Hey brother, come back for me!

Who Knew

Who Knew by Veronica Sudia (a Short Story Contest entry) 

 

 

Everyone thought she was an altruistic and extremely forgiving person.

 

She was described as patient and merciful.

She spoke little, but observed much.

She spent little and saved less for she was a very charitable woman.

She smiled rarely and cried even less, but the tears flowed within.

Forgive her for not revealing who she truly was for she was never asked for forgiveness and it was never granted.

No one knew her.

Inexperienced

The red and white sail catches the wind and the sunfish flies across Barnegat Bay. With my brother at the rudder, we’re two kids having fun, learning something new. Time to turn. Quick, duck. Come about, come about, come about! Blast. In the bay. Hey brother, come back for me!

Who Knew

Everyone thought she was an altruistic and extremely forgiving person.

She was described as patient and merciful.

She spoke little, but observed much.

She spent little and saved less for she was a very charitable woman.

She smiled rarely and cried even less, but the tears flowed within.

Forgive her for not revealing who she truly was for she was never asked for forgiveness and it was never granted.

No one knew her.

Remembering Mom

Remembering Mom by Deanna Perlmutter (a Short Story Contest entry) 

 

You lived for 87 years and somehow it just was not enough. To write a 73 word ode about you is a difficult task. I will say, you were an avid reader and loved the library like a third child. You picked books and the library got them for you. You instilled in us the importance of education and reading. We will continue to read and enjoy it, to honor your memory! Love you Mom!

Estrangement

Estrangement by Elizabeth (a Short Story Contest entry) 

 

 

Anne sat by a fountain, blending in with people enjoying a spring day. It was her grandson’s second birthday. The party would be nearby but she wasn’t invited. A few months earlier her daughter had said, “Mom, I’m taking a break from you.” The separation was breaking Anne’s heart. Her phone in her lap, she waited hopefully for a call to join the party, doubting it would come.