Drits, Rubel Named Leaders of Tomorrow

Hadassah Greater Atlanta is proud to announce that National Hadassah has named the winners of the 2026 Hadassah Leaders of Tomorrow Award for Young Women. Amazingly, two of the three winners are from the Atlanta area. These two winners are Lily Drits, 16, of Roswell, and Talia Rubel, 17, of Chamblee.

The award, a merit-based scholarship, is given each year to young women entering the 11th or 12th grades who have shown an unswerving commitment to Israel and the Jewish people and an ability to inspire and be a role model for others.

Each winner will receive $1,500 towards the tuition for Gesher Israel, a summer program offered by Young Judaea. Hadassah’s longtime partner and America’s oldest Zionist youth movement. Drits and Rubel will spend 3½ weeks in Israel this July honing their leadership skills while learning about the country’s culture and history and forging the lifelong friendships for which Gesher Israel – and Young Judaea – are famous.

Terry Nordin, president of Hadassah Greater Atlanta, explains, “We are so thrilled that two out of three national honorees are young women from Atlanta. We are looking forward to honoring them personally at our Installation.”

Simone Wilker, advocacy chair for Hadassah Greater Atlanta, said, “Hadassah seeks to recognize and empower young women. This summer trip to Israel with Young Judaea will give them an experience they will never forget.”

Created in 2014, the Hadassah Leaders of Tomorrow Award for Young Women grew out of a decades-long partnership between Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, a leading advocate for Israel and Zionism since its founding in 1912, and Young Judaea. By providing merit scholarships that make it possible for American children, teens, and young adults to participate in Young Judaea’s camps, Israel programs, year-round activities and volunteer experiences, Hadassah is strengthening future generations’ connection to Israel and Zionism and shaping tomorrow’s Jewish leaders. To learn more, visit
https://www.hadassah.org/press-release/hadassah-names-three-high-school-students-the-winners-of-its-2026-leaders-of-tomorrow-award-for-young-women