The Jewish Studies Program at the University of Kentucky invites entries for the annual Mark and Ruth Luckens Essay Competition in Jewish Thought and Culture. The Luckens Prize is given for the best unpublished original essay by a graduate student or recent Ph.D. or someone of equivalent status. The Luckens Prize carries an award of $1000, made possible by a generous gift from the late Dr. Mark Luckens.

Entries for the Luckens Prize competition should be original, unpublished essays of approximately 5000-7000 words in length. All submissions must be in English. Entries will be judged by a committee of faculty affiliated with the UK Jewish Studies program. In addition to the cash award, the author of the winning essay will be invited to deliver a public lecture at the University of Kentucky in spring 2012.

Submissions for the 2012 Luckens Prize competition should be sent to Professor Jeremy Popkin, director, UK Jewish Studies program, Department of History, 1725 POT, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY 40506-0027. Submissions must be postmarked by November 1, 2011. Essays may be submitted on paper or as email attachments in Word format.

Inquiries concerning the 2012 Luckens Prize competition should be directed to Professor Jeremy Popkin, director of the UK Jewish Studies program, popkin@uky.edu.