Hadassah Hosts 34th Annual Chesed Student Awards

The 34th annual Hadassah Greater Atlanta (HGA) Chesed (loving kindness) Student Awards took place on May 4 at Congregation Or Hadash in Sandy Springs. HGA and JTeen (formally known as JumpSpark) 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.

Phyllis M. Cohen, Linda Weinroth, and Liz Goldstein of Hadassah Greater Atlanta chaired the event in partnership with Jessie Schwartzman, director of JTeen. They noted how inspiring and impressive it is to highlight the outstanding activities and achievements of these teens who have demonstrated their potential to be future leaders.

Hana Landesman, Hadassah Southeastern Region Evolve Chair, spoke about Hadassah’s Youth Aliyah Villages in Israel which put at-risk youth on a secure path to success. 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.

Renee Kutner, president and CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, delivered a special message of congratulations as a past Chesed award recipient herself. She commended the student honorees on their accomplishments, expressed the importance of continued community service, and shared some words of wisdom.

Since 2019, two monetary awards have been given at the program based on student essay submissions. The Phyllis M. Cohen Leadership Award went to Jake Isenberg, Temple Sinai’s recipient. The topic of his essay was: “Combating Antisemitism.”

While participating in a debate program at Emory University, he came face-to-face with blatant antisemitism and Jew hatred when one of the students there wrote that “Hitler did the right thing.” He bravely brought the situation to Emory‘s attention and the student was dismissed.

The Linda and Michael Weinroth Community Service Award went to Maccabee Anderson, the American Jewish Committee’s recipient. The topic of his essay was: “If you had the ability to make a positive change in your community, what would that be?” Recognizing there are too few opportunities for young Jewish voices to be heard, Maccabee created a website, Joseph’s Inkwell, a student-run writing competition that provides a space where teen-aged Jewish writers can share their thoughts, struggles, and stories in their own words. Confronting themes such as antisemitism, tradition, belonging, and personal growth, the site gives them a place where their voices matter.

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

To learn more about JTeen, go to https://jewishatlanta.org/what-we-do/our-initiatives/j-teen/