As the 2016 National History Day approaches, the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County (JHSFC) is offering two cash awards for student essays that incorporate Jewish history/heritage and/or a Jewish personality into the 2016 National History Day theme, “Exploration, Encounter and Exchange.” The first prize is exclusively for Fairfield County residents; the second is for the best of all Connecticut entries. Complete details are found at www.historydayct.org.

Students are welcome to contact the Harry Rosenbaum Judaica Library located at the Stamford Jewish Community Center at (203) 487-0957 and the Jewish Historical Society Archives at (203) 321-1373 x150 for assistance finding appropriate materials and preparing for their presentations. For more information about the JHSFC visit www.jhsfc-ct.org.

The online registration deadline for National History Day is Feb. 1. Submissions are due March 4.