IMPORTANT CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT

Dear Friends of Eretz,

I’m not going to sugarcoat this.  Participation in the contest has been abysmal so far this year.  This has to change if Songs of Eretz is to continue.  The e-zine is offered to the public for viewing for free but is far from free to produce.  The contest is our only fundraiser.  If it fails, then so does Songs of Eretz.  It’s that simple.  It’s that serious.

So, in an effort to boost participation, the contest guidelines have undergone significant changes http://www.songsoferetz.com/p/songs-of-eretz.html, particularly involving the minimum donation requirements and prize money.

NOW YOU CHOOSE THE AMOUNT YOU WISH TO DONATE TO SUPPORT THE CONTEST AND THE CONTINUATION OF SONGS OF ERETZ.

The amount of your donation now determines the amounts of the honoraria you may win and whether or not you will receive editorial feedback on your submission.  All judging (preliminary and final) will be performed BLINDLY as to the amounts of donations.  Use the following table to guide you.

Donation   Max Prize for 1st   Max Prize for 2nd   Max Prize for 3rd   Feedback
<$5            Bragging Rights      Bragging Rights      Bragging Rights   None
$5              $250                        $50                          $25                      None
$10            $500                        $100                        $50                      None
$15            $750                        $150                        $75                      None
$20+          $1,000                     $200                        $100                    Provided

Full refunds have been issued to the few good people who entered the contest prior to today.  All quarterfinalists up to this point have been given the option to have their donations fully or partially refunded as they see fit.

The contest deadline is October 15 and will NOT be extended.  This leaves plenty of time for our supporters to participate at whatever level they deem appropriate.

Respectfully,

Steven Wittenberg Gordon, MD

Editor-in-Chief & Preliminary Contest Judge