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Emma Lazarus Project

The Emma Lazarus Project explores the story of Emma Lazarus, a fifth-generation American Jew caught in an important turning point in American and Jewish History. The initiative—including an exhibit, curriculum and poetry contest—uses primary sources straight from the archive to encourage students to piece together Emma’s fascinating story, and to join the ongoing conversation about American identity.

305 Feet for Freedom

by Benjamin Regan

Middle School

2021

Finalist

The heartbeat of our land reverberates, vibrates from liberty on a stand. A torch for truth, a flame for freedom, may immigrants see their future in her fisted hand.
Each foot, each inch of the Statue of Liberty is our tarnished symbol of hope. For intertwined in the green copper of growth is the message of unity she wrote. 
305 feet tall for the underrepresented, underappreciated, under respected. 
305 feet for the oppressed, depressed, and suppressed. 
305 feet for those who tried, applied, and were denied, then got back up and tried again. 305 feet for Jewish delis in the lower east side. 
305 feet for a new beginning, a new opportunity. The hopes and dreams of a unified community. 
305 feet to shake our head and stand up for not being ignored anymore. We must be assured when ashore. 
Some may try to hurt her people, make American liberty ache. But make no mistake of 305 feet. 
Because with its people Lady Liberty fights, for a life and freedom, and for, human right