Hadassah Honors Student Leaders with Chesed Awards
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Hadassah Honors Student Leaders with Chesed Awards

The young leaders represent synagogues, Jewish day schools, and organizations in the Greater Atlanta community.

By Compiled by AJT staff May 27, 2026, 10:16 am Edit
(Front row seated, from left): Leah Stinson of JTeen, Liz Goldstein, Phyllis M. Cohen, Linda Weinroth, Hadassah Greater Atlanta Chesed Chairs; (first row standing, from left): Jenna Epstein, Mikaela Block, Lauren Cohn, Isabelle Siedman, Alexa Posel, Isabelle Kats, Hila Ben-Yaacov, Stella Gegax, Einav Malka, Kira Nadler, Molly Levy; (back row standing, from left): Max Zhiss, Eric Tepper, Ben Funk, Mason Maslia, Gabe Perlin, Kayla Kleinman, Korah Kenyatta-Simmons, Mylo Morantz, Jill Malkin: not pictured: Audrey Bronfman // All photos by Bob Mahoney Pictures
(Front row seated, from left): Leah Stinson of JTeen, Liz Goldstein, Phyllis M. Cohen, Linda Weinroth, Hadassah Greater Atlanta Chesed Chairs; (first row standing, from left): Jenna Epstein, Mikaela Block, Lauren Cohn, Isabelle Siedman, Alexa Posel, Isabelle Kats, Hila Ben-Yaacov, Stella Gegax, Einav Malka, Kira Nadler, Molly Levy; (back row standing, from left): Max Zhiss, Eric Tepper, Ben Funk, Mason Maslia, Gabe Perlin, Kayla Kleinman, Korah Kenyatta-Simmons, Mylo Morantz, Jill Malkin: not pictured: Audrey Bronfman // All photos by Bob Mahoney Pictures

The 35th annual Hadassah Greater Atlanta (HGA) Chesed (loving kindness) Student Awards took place on May 3 at Congregation Or Hadash in Sandy Springs.

HGA and JTeen honored 21 of the best and brightest young leaders representing synagogues, Jewish day schools, and organizations in the Greater Atlanta community.

Eighth through twelfth graders are eligible for the award. Each organization chooses its own recipient based on criteria that are paramount to Hadassah and its members: concern for Jews, Jewish culture and heritage; concern for Israel; concern for fellow human beings in manner and deed (menschlichkeit); and good academic standing.

Isabelle Kats receives Chesed Community Service Award

Phyllis M. Cohen, Linda Weinroth, and Liz Goldstein of Hadassah Greater Atlanta chaired the event in partnership with Leah Stinson, director, JTeen/JCamping-Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. This is the seventh year collaborating in recognizing the inspiring and impressive actions, activities, and achievements of these teens.

Terry Nordin, president, Hadassah Greater Atlanta, highlighted Hadassah’s Youth Aliyah Villages in Israel, which put at-risk youth on a secure path to success saying, “I want to share Hadassah’s pride in the accomplishments of its Youth Aliyah Villages, Meir Shfeyah and Neurim. Central to Hadassah’s mission is the well-being of future generations. Donations made this year to the Chesed program are being allocated to Youth Aliyah to continue the rescue and support of hundreds of disadvantaged students in Hadassah’s care.”

Two guest speakers shared personal messages and praised Hadassah for its vital work in Israel, the U.S and worldwide. Eitan Weiss, Consul General of Israel to the Southeast United States, was particularly touched by the Youth Aliyah video presented featuring a young man fleeing Ukraine for safety and security in Hadassah’s Youth Aliyah village. Weiss commented that not long ago he was on several rescue missions in Ukraine.

Chesed 26 Mason Maslia received Leadership Award

Georgia State Rep. Esther Panitch, an active Life Member of Hadassah, spoke of her experiences working in the legislature and how she suggests accomplishing goals when among a diverse group. She spoke of quiet one-on-one discussions and collaborations.

Since 2019, two monetary awards have been given at the program based on student essay submissions.

The Phyllis M. Cohen Leadership Award went to Mason Maslia, whose many years of activities and dedication to his team fighting pancreatic cancer through PanCan Purple Stride and his four years participating in the Creating Connected Communities Leadership Development program and projects truly exemplify his leadership.

The Linda and Michael Weinroth Community Service Award went to Isabelle Kats, a founding member of Davis Academy’s Peace by Piece bringing students of different faiths together. Actively engaged in ORT’s Honey from the Heart project for the past four years and serving as local co-chair last year, Kats has coordinated volunteers in sending out jars of honey at Rosh Hashanah and spread sweetness throughout Jewish communities.

Cohen emphasizes, “We are truly blessed to have had the longevity of this program and so many outstanding students to highlight. Through the years, we’ve recognized nearly 800 of our community’s remarkable teens who are dedicated to service, leadership, and good deeds. We know the answer to needs must be given in deeds.”

To learn more about Hadassah, go to https://www.hadassah.org/chapter/greater-atlanta

To learn more about JTeen, go to https://jewishatlanta.org/initiative/jteen/

 

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