To inspire students to examine their own life stories, producers are encouraging students to enter "The Story of the Jews" national essay contest. The competition is built around the documentary series “The Story of the Jews” which begins airing on GPB tonight at 8 p.m.

It is open to high school students and the deadline is June 13, 2014.

What stories have impacted your life? How do these stories influence how you see yourself and the world? How do they tie you to your community? Those are some of the questions students should consider in their entries. They are also required to respond to an online video writing prompt.

Here is a full explanation of the contest and what is required.

The Story of Jews Chronicles Jewish People Across the World

"The Story of the Jews" explores the 3,000 year history of the Jewish people and their impact on civilization. In the introduction to the series, host Simon Schama shares his belief that the key to the endurance of the Jewish people over three millennia has been the telling of a story, the story of the Jews.

WYSIWYG: EMBEDDED VIDEO

Jewish history and culture is spread across the diaspora. In Georgia, two prominent heartbreaking chapters in Jewish history occurred: the Leo Frank case and the Atlanta temple bombing.

Look out for a guest post from Jeremy Katz, Archivist, from The William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, tomorrow on the Frank case that will include primary resources to pour over. You can also learn more about the case in Georgia Stories and in the Georgia Studies Digital textbook for iPad.

And on April 8 at 6 p.m. at GPB studios, we’ll honor the life of Rabbi Jacob Rothschild in a community panel discussion. Rabbi Rothschild was a civil rights crusader and spoke out against segregation. He served at the Temple which was bombed in 1958. Because of his outreach and activism, the community rallied behind him.

You can attend the discussion for free by RSVPing. Or you can attend via livestream and live chat.