Nominating Institution: Atlanta Jewish Academy

Weekday School: Atlanta Jewish Academy

Extracurricular Activities: StandWithUs, Student Council, Chagiga Director of HS Girls play, Medical Club Founder, Israel Advocacy Club, Yearbook staff, Ambassador Club

Community Service and Number of Years Involved: Friendship Circle (4 years), Bnei Akiva (4 Years)

About Me: I am Hila Ben-Yaacov, a current senior at the Atlanta Jewish Academy. Volunteering and giving back to my community have been important parts of my identity and something I plan to continue as a young adult. I especially see the importance of Israel advocacy and education which I why I have designated my time to hone skills in regards to advocating against antisemitism and furthering a Jewish Education.

Nominating Institution: Congregation Sherith Israel

Weekday School: Tapestry Public Charter School

Extracurricular Activities: Roller derby, cross country, track, badminton club, student government

Community Service and Number of Years Involved: Lilburn Day Camp – volunteer camp aide (4 years)

About Me: I am a senior at Tapestry Public Charter School, where I have been a student for the past four years. Before that, I was part of the Druid Hills school cluster. As someone who is neurodivergent and on the autism spectrum, I have faced challenges with certain social and academic aspects of public school. Despite this, I have consistently worked hard and strived for academic excellence.

During my time at Tapestry, I have been a member of the cross country team all four years and served as captain for two of those years. I also started a badminton club, which ran for two years.

Next fall, I plan to attend Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina, where I intend to study science and art.

Nominating Institution: Congregation Dor Tamid

Weekday School: Notre Dame Academy

Extracurricular Activities: Volleyball, religious school assistant teacher, mock trial, volunteering at an animal shelter

Community Service and Number of Years Involved: 3 years of volunteer work

About Me:

Nominating Institution: Temple Beth Tikvah

Weekday School: Walton High School

Extracurricular Activities: President and Founder of Walton Chapter of GlamourGals (provide makeovers and companionship to residents in senior living homes), Member of Walton HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), Member of CARE club (Cancer Awareness, Research and Education), Member of Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, Participant of the Walton STEM Expo, Internship in Emory University’s Department of Human Genetics, Member of temple youth group (HOTTY), Co-chair for NFTY-SAR Spring Kallah 2025, Invited and inducted member of National Honor Society, Science NHS, and English NHS

Community Service and Number of Years Involved: GlamourGals (founder/president, senior home volunteering, 2 years), Temple Beth Tikvah/Jewish Community involvement (4+ years), HOTTY NFTY youth group (leadership, social action, 4 years), Science National Honor Society (peer tutoring, STEM outreach, 2 years), HOSA (health awareness, community education, 2 years), CARE (cancer awareness and fundraising, 2 years)

About Me: I’m a senior at Walton High School in the STEM Academy with a strong interest in neuroscience and genetics, driven by my curiosity about how science can improve human health. I founded and lead my school’s GlamourGals chapter, where we offer makeovers, companionship, and connection to residents in local senior living homes. My strong Jewish identity and love for Israel are a huge part of who I am, shaped by my family and seven summers at Camp Coleman, where I found a true sense of community.

Nominating Institution: The Epstein School

Weekday School: The Epstein School

Extracurricular Activities: Dance, tennis, sewing, volunteering with JF&CS Atlanta, raising money for Furkids, mentor program at The Epstein School

Community Service and Number of Years Involved: I have been volunteering with JF&CS for 1 – 2 years, mentoring with my schools program for 2 years, and raising money for Furkids for 1 year.

About Me: My name is Jenna Epstein. I am 14 years old and have lived outside of Atlanta, Georgia my entire life. I have gone to The Epstein School since i was 18 months old, and am excited to attend the Weber School next year. I live with my parents, two younger brothers, and our dog. In my spare time, I love to dance, read, sew, and play with my dog.

Nominating Institution: Congregation Beth Shalom

Weekday School: Dunwoody High School

Extracurricular Activities: Technology Student Association, National Math Honors Society(Mu Alpha Theta), helping care for my Grandfather

Community Service and Number of Years Involved: Gilner religious school (4 years)

About Me: I am a junior at Dunwoody High School and a member of my school’s Technology Student Association. I have been attending Camp Judaea since I was eight years old and plan to be a counselor there this summer. I am a teacher’s assistant at my synagogue’s religious school. I enjoy working with others and taking on new challenges that help me grow.

Nominating Institution: American Jewish Committee

Weekday School: The Paideia School

Extracurricular Activities: Opinion editor for school newspaper (The Forum), club and school soccer player, captain of school Model United Nations team, leader of school Best Buddies club, alumni of AJC’s Leaders for Tomorrow program, member of AJC’s Black-Jewish Teen Initiative, tutor at my synagogue, Congregation Sherith Israel

Community Service and Number of Years Involved: Volunteer at the Connections School of Atlanta, a school for neurodiverse high schoolers (3+ years), Volunteer at Camp Walden, a camp for neurodiverse kids (1 year)

About Me: I am a junior at The Paideia School and a participant in the American Jewish Committee’s Black Jewish Teen Initiative, where I work to strengthen understanding between communities. At Paideia, I am a student leader for the Connections Program and Best Buddies International, where I help build friendships between neurodiverse and neurotypical students.

I also serve as Opinion Editor of The Forum, Paideia’s student newspaper, and tutor younger students in Hebrew at my synagogue. Through my leadership and service, I strive to live out the Jewish value of chesed by bringing people together across differences.

Nominating Institution: The Alfred & Adele Davis Academy

Weekday School: The Alfred & Adele Davis Academy

Extracurricular Activities: Davis Student ambassador, BBYO, Piano, ski, tennis, golf, and Sunday School Madrichim

Community Service and Number of Years Involved: Helped decrease hunger in metro Atlanta by volunteering through Temple Emanuel to make and deliver sandwiches each week to the Mary Hall Freedom Village (2025), ORT Honey From The Heart (packed and shipped honey 2022–2024, co-chair 2025–2026)

About Me: Those who know me would describe me as hardworking, dependable, and affectionate. My teachers say that I quietly stand out—I’m not usually the center of attention, but in class I ask insightful questions and approach my work with determination and confidence. As the oldest of three siblings, I take pride in following through on the goals I set and leading by example.

My friends trust me because I am dependable and true to my word. Beyond that, what makes me truly special is my loving heart. One of my Davis Academy teachers once described me as a “good human,” and I strive to live up to that every day. I work to balance strength and kindness in a way that helps me succeed while also supporting those around me.

I also have a creative and fun-loving side. I play the piano and love to draw, and I enjoy participating in many sports—especially skiing in the winter, and golf and tennis in the warmer months.

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Nominating Institution: Congregation Etz Chaim

Weekday School: Pope High School

Extracurricular Activities: USY, marching band, youth group advisor, Hebrew school teacher

Community Service and Number of Years Involved: One2One (1 year), Shop with a Greyhound (1 year), Books for Africa (3 years)

About Me: My name is Kayla Kleinman and I am a senior from Congregation Etz Chaim. I am highly involved in USY, taking on multiple leadership roles within my chapter and region throughout my four years of high school. When I’m not working or participating in youth group at my synagogue, I’m playing the tuba in my school’s band program or hanging out with friends.

Nominating Institution: Diamond Family Religious School at Temple Emanu-El

Weekday School: The Weber School

Extracurricular Activities: Weber Soccer (3 years), Temple Emanu- El Madricha (4 years), babysitting (4 years)

Community Service and Number of Years Involved: Camp Jenny staff in training and counselor (2 years), Mary Hall Freedom Village (6 years), Rise Against Hunger (1 year), Nechama (1 year)

About Me: My name is Molly Levy, and I’m from Dunwoody, Georgia. I attend The Weber School, where I play soccer, learn a variety of subjects, and have made incredible friends. The experience that has shaped my values, personality, and perspective the most is the time I’ve spent at Camp Judaea over the past ten summers. I’ve become someone who is outgoing, supportive of others, and always positive.

Nominating Institution: The Weber School

Weekday School: The Weber School

Extracurricular Activities: Moot Beit Din Team Captain, Rams for Israel President, StandWithUs Intern (2024-2025), Roundtable discussion group, Michael Kay Israel Leadership Fellowship, Cheerleading, Peer Leadership, Student Ambassador, Model UN

Community Service and Number of Years Involved:Leven Office of Student Service and Philanthropy (3 years), Co-Coordinated Daffodil Dash 2024 (1 year), National Honor Society President (1 year)

About Me: Hi! My name is Einav Malka and I’m 17 years old. I go to school at the Weber School in Atlanta, and I love being involved in the Atlanta Jewish/Israeli community and making meaningful and enduring connections. I love insightful and inspiring Jewish and Israel education, but also just learning in general. I speak 3 languages fluently and studied Spanish in high school, and I enjoy reading, writing, playing piano, doing ceramics, and spending time with friends and family.

Nominating Institution: Jewish Kids Group

Weekday School: Jewish Kids Group

Extracurricular Activities: Musical theater, JSU, Hope Squad, Chorus

Community Service and Number of Years Involved: Bremen Home (3 years)

About Me: My name is Jillian, but I go by Jill and I’m in 10th grade at North Atlanta High school. I love musical theater and doing art, I’m currently in my school’s showing of Mamma Mia! I play guitar and love music, as well as starting new crafts and paintings. Also, I’m a teen leader at Jewish Kids Group (JKG) and enjoy teaching and learning there.

Nominating Institution: Congregation Or VeShalom

Weekday School: The Weber School

Extracurricular Activities: ML_Cards, founder/owner (4 years), The Weber School basketball team, varsity starter (2 years), junior varsity starter (1 year), The Weber School varsity flag football team, varsity starter (3 years), The Weber School student ambassador program, ambassador (2 years), Maccabi Games, Team Atlanta, athlete flag football (1 year) basketball (2 years), Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl internship, intern (1 year)

Community Service and Number of Years Involved: PanCAN Purple Stride (benefiting Pancreatic Cancer Action Network), captain of Team Poppy (4 years), Creating Connected Communities Leadership Development Program (4 years)

About Me: I’m a huge sports fan who loves playing and watching just about every sport. I’m a senior at The Weber School and a varsity athlete in basketball and flag football. I also run my own sports card business, which I started at age 12, buying, selling, and trading cards. I’ve helped raise more than $110,000 for pancreatic cancer research as captain of Team Poppy for PanCAN PurpleStride in memory of my grandfather, Albert D. Maslia.

Nominating Institution: Temple Kehillat Chaim

Weekday School: Fulton Academy of Virtual Excellence (FAVE)

Extracurricular Activities: the LUME – Literary Magazine, creative writing club, National Honor Society, Beta Club, student representative of my school’s SGC, member of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, madrich at my synagogue, social action vice president of TKC’s RAFTY chapter, I do a lot of knitting and crochet, reading, writing, and baking

Community Service and Number of Years Involved: I’ve done several canned food drives, pet supply drives, coat drives, and other charity events in my involvement with my school’s National Honor Society and Beta Club, and have been for roughly a year and a half. I also help the PTA and SGC with setting up school events when they occur, which I’ve been doing for close to 5 years.

About Me: I’m queer, autistic, and absurdly transgender. I’ve lived my life in books and don’t plan on ever changing that, even if I’m more willing to poke my head out of the pages than I was as a kid. While I’m definitely not much of a people person, I like to think that I’m fun to be around when I’m in the mood for it. My plans for the future consist of getting a doctorate in English, becoming a certified piercer and a creative writing professor, and then retiring one day and opening a bookstore/bakery combination and being known as That Old Queer Jew In The Neighborhood.

Nominating Institution: Congregation Or Hadash

Weekday School: The Weber School

Extracurricular Activities: Soccer, volleyball, swimming, BBYO

Community Service and Number of Years Involved: Canine Companions (since 2019), Mahon Hadash (3 years), LLS (1 year), soccer for children with disabilities through JCC (1 year), internship Benchmark PT

About Me: I am a senior at the Weber school. I am active at school and the community. I am three season athlete with varsity volleyball, the captain of the swim team and the captain of the varsity soccer team. I have spent since 2019 helping my family raise future service dogs. I am a motivated student who values leadership, service, and personal growth. I have developed strong teamwork, discipline, and communication skills. My future plan is to work with young athletes as a physical therapist when I graduate from UGA and then PT school.

Nominating Institution: The Temple

School: Riverwood International Charter School

Extracurricular Activities: Kosher Food Club (2021–2024) – Participated in discussions and events promoting kosher cuisine and cultural learning, Israeli Club – Board Member (2021–2024) – Organized cultural events and promoted awareness of Israeli culture, Student Ambassador (2022–2024) – Represented ETHS at school events, assisted with freshman orientation, and supported community outreach, Varsity Soccer – Riverwood International Charter School – Focused on leadership, discipline, and team development, Freshman & Sophomore Soccer Teams – Evanston Township High School, Maccabi Games – Team USA – Selected for Team USA’s Jewish soccer delegation (games canceled due to war), Soccer Referee (2020–Present) – Certified youth and community league referee, Youth Soccer Coach (2022–2024) – Volunteer coach working with young players in Evanston, Member of Black Jewish Teen Initiative (2025–Present) – Participates in discussions and programs fostering connection and education between Black and Jewish communities

Community Service and Number of Years Involved: Wellness Learning Community (2023) – Promoted physical and mental health awareness across the student body, Mental Health Presentation (2022) – Delivered an educational presentation to the Health Inc. learning community, Substance Abuse Awareness Program (2023) – Participated in a school-wide event educating students about drug and alcohol misuse, Food & Clothing Drives (2021–Present) – Supported the community through donation drives and organizing efforts, Wellness Education Speech & Debate (2023) – Presented evidence-based arguments on youth wellness topics, Virtual Community Wellness Fair (2023) – Planned and presented to over 2,000 community members, Education Intern – Breman Education Center (2024–Present) – Facilitates interactive educational programming and supports Sunday program operations, Gesher Leader – Mentors younger students through Jewish education initiatives, Jewish Youth Group Member (2021–Present) – Active in leadership roles, service events, and community building

About Me: My name is Gabe Perlin. I am from Atlanta Georgia. I am a senior who is graduating from Riverwood International Charter School.

Nominating Institution: Creating Connected Communities

Weekday School: Midtown High School

Extracurricular Activities: Creating Connected Communities, Midtown High School Soccer, Beta Club, Latin Club

Community Service and Number of Years Involved: Creating Connected Communities (4 years)

About Me: Hi! My name is Alexa Posel I was born and raised in Atlanta, GA to my parents Laine and Greg Posel. I have an old brother, Zach who is a Jr at UGA and a younger sister Carly who is in 8th grade. I love to travel, bake, craft, play soccer, and newly into running, having run my first half marathon back in October. Next year I will be attending the University of Georgia to study economics.

Nominating Institution: Temple Kol Emeth

Weekday School: Allatoona High School

Extracurricular Activities: Marching Band, Theater, Madrichimot, Library volunteer

Community Service and Number of Years Involved: Madrichimot at TKE (4 years), Library volunteer (3 years)

About Me: My name is Isabelle Siedman, and I am a junior at Allatoona High School. I am actively involved in my school’s band program and marching band, and I participate in community theater! I am also a teen leader at my temple, and love being involved with the Madrichimot program, as well as KEFTY, our youth group. In my free time, I love to read, write, build LEGOs, and listen to music! I’m a bit of a nerd and will rant to anybody about Marvel, Star Wars, or books I’ve read.

Nominating Institution: B’nai Torah Synagogue

Weekday School: The Cottage School

Extracurricular Activities

1. Sports/Athletics: Varsity Track and Field: team player Fall 2023- Present, Varsity E-Sports: team player Fall 2023- Present, Varsity Basketball: team player Fall 2022- Present, Varsity Soccer: team player Fall 2022- Present, Varsity Flag Football: team player Fall 2022- Present
2. Clubs: United Synagogue Youth (USY): Summer 2024-Present, Dungeons & Dragons Club: Fall 2022- Present, Magic the Gathering Club: Fall 2022-Present, Rock climbing Club: Fall 2023-2024, Ski Club: Fall 2023-2024

Community Service and Number of Years Involved: Dunwoody Police Public Safety Cadets Program: Fall 2025-Present (1 yr), Bnai Torah Religious School, teaching assistant: August 2024-Present (2 yrs), Peer Mentor: Fall 2022-Present (4 yrs), Student Ambassador Fall 2022- Present (4 yrs), You Lucky Dog Rescue, Dog foster and Volunteer: March 2020-Present (6 yrs)

About Me: I am a motivated and enthusiastic student who values personal growth, leadership, and service. Through my involvement with the Dunwoody Police Public Safety Cadets Program, peer mentoring, and teaching at B’nai Torah Religious School, I am given the opportunity to support, encourage, and guide others, especially those who may feel isolated, scared, confused, or alone. My passion is in making a positive impact on both human and animal lives by recognizing vulnerability and fear, offering compassion and empathy, and helping those in need gain safety, confidence, and a second chance in life. This mission is very personal to me because others recognized my insecurity, loneliness, and despair as a child and helped me find safety and confidence when I needed it most.

Nominating Institution: Temple Sinai

Weekday School: Campbell High School

Extracurricular Activities: Kenneth Leventhal High School Intern, AJC Leaders for Tomorrow, Campbell High School Jewish Culture Club, Community Service Outreach Chair for Smyrna Youth Council, Senior Teaching Assistant at Temple Sinai, Jewish Enrichment Vice President for Hazakah AZA BBYO, Boy Scouts of America, 11th Grade Representative for H.U.B. at Temple Sinai, Fellow in the Teen Jews of Color Fellowship

Community Service and Number of Years Involved: BSA (2020-present), Smyrna Youth Council (2024- Present)

About Me: My name is Maxwell Zhiss, I am a junior at Campbell High School involved in student leadership and Jewish life locally and on a global scale. I’m an active participant in BBYO and at Temple Sinai where I take on leadership roles to help engage the local Jewish teens and build a strong community. I’m highly passionate about civic engagement, education, and youth leadership. I hope to continue creating special spaces for Jewish teens and other young people to lead with purpose and to continue taking the skills I’ve developed to higher levels as I grow as a leader and changemaker within the Jewish community and beyond.