Hadassah Atlanta’s Chesed Student Awards Turn 30

The 30th anniversary of the Hadassah Greater Atlanta Chesed Student Awards took place on May 1 at the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum. HGA partnered with JumpSpark to honor 20 of the best and brightest young leaders from Atlanta synagogues, Jewish day schools and organizations.

Hadassah’s Nancy Gorod chaired the event, and Director Nathan Schwartzman Brodsky represented JumpSpark. Lori Zeligman, director of Camp Judaea, spoke in support of camp scholarships, to which Chesed donations are being allocated this year.

The awards were conceived by Phyllis M. Cohen, a Hadassah leader who has continued to develop the program throughout the years.

Chesed HGA leaders (l to r): Marci Abrams, HGA president; Linda Weinroth; Nancy Gorod, event chair; Phyllis M. Cohen; Linda Hakerem, national programming engagement; Michele Weiner-Merbaum, southeastern region president. // Photography by Monique Davidson]

“For 30 years we’ve been recognizing our community’s exemplary teens dedicated to service, leadership and good deeds in a world that truly needs kindness and understanding,” Cohen reflected. “We’ve honored and touched 750 students and their families, not to mention involving synagogues, Jewish day schools and youth groups.” HGA’s ongoing partnership with JumpSpark, she added, has brought a new and welcome perspective to promoting programs that are beneficial to their common goals.

“Chesed” is Hebrew for lovingkindness, and all Chesed recipients were invited to submit essays exploring what inspired their good deeds and activities, as well as the resulting impact on both themselves and others, in the form of a letter that someone would open 30 years from the present. Hadassah presented students with individual monetary awards for community service and leadership.

The Chesed Community Service Award was presented to Molly Fisher (center) by Linda and Michael Weinroth.

The Chesed Community Service Award, donated by Linda and Michael Weinroth, was presented to Molly Fisher, nominated by Creating Connected Communities. Becoming involved in CCC, Fisher said, allowed her to see how much joy the organization brought to families in need. She took part in the CCC leadership program, first as a participant and then as president of the Sandy Springs chapter.

Linda said that Fisher “truly embodies the core values of community service.”

The Chesed Leadership Award, donated by Phyllis M. Cohen, was awarded to Reece Bashuk, nominated by Temple Emanu-El. Bashuk’s letter began by relating some of the challenges our world is facing today.

This year’s Chesed Leadership Award was presented to Reece Bashuk by Phyllis M. Cohen.

He was active in the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, where he could encourage and implement social action. He led his chapter in specific mitzvot and, as chapter president, was a positive influence on younger members.

“The answer to heal our world is kindness that is like a pebble in water that causes ripples to spread,” he wrote.