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2025 Hadassah Chesed Student Awards

History of the Hadassah Chesed Student Awards

Hadassah has handed out the Chesed Awards annually since 1992 to one student from each of the local Jewish day schools and participating synagogue religious schools and Jewish organizations. 8th to 12th 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.

Essay Awards

Since 2019, the Hadassah Chesed Student Awards have offered two monetary awards based on student essay submissions. This year’s winners will be announced at the award ceremony of May 4, 2025.

THE PHYLLIS M. COHEN CHESED LEADERSHIP AWARD
Phyllis M. Cohen, a Hadassah Greater Atlanta Chapter past president and a major donor, conceived and developed the Hadassah Chesed Student Awards program in 1992. Throughout the past 32 years, Phyllis has continued to support this program wholeheartedly. She has been committed to developing young leaders and new leaders, encouraging them to take an active role. Thanks to her ongoing leadership and generosity, we are delighted to present the Phyllis M. Cohen Chesed Leadership Award to one of two Hadassah Chesed Essay Contest Winners.

THE LINDA & MICHAEL WEINROTH CHESED COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD Linda Weinroth, a Hadassah Ein Karem Chapter past president and an active participant in community service within the Atlanta Jewish community, has been a proud supporter of the Chesed Student Awards Program for the past 32 years. Linda is probably best known for her beautiful descriptions of the student recipients that she delivered so eloquently at each Chesed Awards Program for 20+ years. Thanks to the generosity and ongoing support of Linda and her husband, Michael, we are delighted to present the Linda and Michael Weinroth Community Service Award to one of two Hadassah Chesed Essay Contest winners.

 

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2025 Chesed Student Award Recipients

Abby Shefrin

  • South Forsyth High School
  • Nominating Organization: Congregation Gesher L ‘Torah
  • Academic Honors: War Eagle of Distinction, Academic Excellence in AP Human Geography
  • A Few Words From Abby: “I am a junior at South Forsyth High School. I participated in my school’s productions of Sweeney Todd, Tuck Everlasting, Urinetown, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Spongebob Musical, and The Drowsy Chaperone. I did gymnastics for 9 years, and now I am a part-time gymnastics coach. I also take dance lessons. I am on the board for Creating Connected Communities and I have volunteered at Meals By Grace helping package food for food banks. I am also a part of my school’s National Honor Society and National Beta Club.”
Abigail Shefrin

Adam Blum

  • Riverwood International Charter School
  • Nominating Organization: Creating Connected Communities
  • Academic Honors: The University of Rochester Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award; AP Scholar with Distinction; National Recognition Scholar; National Merit Commended Scholar; UGA Certificate of Merit
  • A Few Words From Adam: “My name is Adam Blum and I am a senior at Riverwood. I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and I have always loved playing and watching sports, exploring nature, travelling, and hanging out with friends. I plan on attending on medical school after college in hope of becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon.”
Adam Blum

Adrianna Castiglione

  • The Weber School
  • Nominating Organization: Congregation B’nai Torah
  • Academic Honors: 9th and 10th Grade English Award from The Weber School’s English Department, State Level Nominee for GHP 2025 for Communicative Arts
  • A Few Words From Adrianna: Hi, I’m Adrianna Castiglione, a junior at The Weber School, and I’m pursuing a diploma distinction for engineering and actively creating volunteering opportunities with Israel and the Greater Atlanta Community for my school. I’m a babysitter, counselor, and assistant Sunday school teacher, so I hope to become either a Middle School Teacher or Pediatric Registered Nurse one day. I love hanging out with friends, listening to live music, doing anything creative, and staying active. I put my all into everything that I do, so I’m incredibly honored to receive this award, and I hope it inspires others to put effort into helping their community!”
Adrianna Castiglione

Binah Leinwand

  • The Epstein School
  • Nominating Organization: The Epstein School
  • Academic Honors: Straight A Student
  • A Few Words From Binah: Hello! My name is Binah and my favorite color is purple. My favorite subject in school is science. I love to bake, sing, act, and play basketball. What i always look forward to is travelling with my family. We have traveled almost everywhere and i love exploring.

Daniel Barchichat

  • Sprayberry High School
  • Nominating Organization: Etz Chaim
  • Academic Honors: AP Scholarship Award, A-B Honor Roll
  • A Few Words From Daniel: “My name is Daniel and I was born and raised in Georgia!”

Dylan Stewart

  • Lanier High School
  • Nominating Organization: Hadassah Greater Atlanta
  • A Few Words From Dylan: “I am a sophomore at Lanier High School. We moved back to the USA after 7 years in Spain this past June. I love playing basketball and travel. I like that I’ve been able to give back in school by tutoring in Chemistry in my school here, and tutoring English before in my school in Spain.”

Elia Nessman

  • Decatur High School
  • Nominating Organization: Congregation Shearith Israel
  • Academic Honors: National Honor Society, IB Dipolma candidate
  • A Few Words From Elia: I am a senior at Decatur High School. I am a varsity frisbee player and an instructor at my local Mathnasium. I am also an active member of my Jewish community and I love meeting new people.”

Ellie Rosen

  • Northview High School
  • Nominating Organization:Congregation Dor Tamid
  • Academic Honors:
    • National Honor Society 2024-Present
    • Super Honor Roll (7 of 7 semesters) 2021-Present
    • Northview High School John Adams Honors Award for Outstanding AP U.S. History Student 2024
    • Northview High School Honors Award for Outstanding Physical Education Student 2024
    • Northview High School Governor’s Honors Program Nominee 2023
    • Northview High School Arete Award for exemplary leadership, innovation, and service to the community 2022
  • A Few Words From Ellie: “I am a senior at Northview High School looking to study Exercise Science in college to pursue a career as a Physical Therapist. I have played competitive soccer most of my life and have a passion for sports and healthcare. I have a goal of helping others to take control of their health and shift their mindset from negative to positive along the way. I am active as a leader, mentor and community service volunteer with various organizations which is very fulfilling. I enjoy being an active participate in the Atlanta Jewish community through involvement in BBYO, Congregation Dor Tamid, Creating Connected Communities (CCC) and Camp Barney Medintz.”

Emily Deich

  • Milton High School
  • Nominating Organization:Temple Kehillat Chaim
  • Academic Honors: NHS, NAHS, Allstate Technical Theatre, Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards STAR Council, featured in the Atlanta High School Art Exhibition, Georgia Thespian Society all superior rated THESPY awards, 2024 Georgia Thespian Conference Outstanding Technician Award
  • A Few Words From Emily: “My name is Emily Deich, and I am a senior at Milton High School. I love theater and art. Most of my free time is spent participating in my school’s theater company. I also enjoy giving back to my community through programs like Nation Honor Society.”

Gabrielle Bland

  • Diamond Family Religious School
  • Nominating Organization: Temple Emanu-El of Atlanta
  • Academic Honors: Beta Club
  • A Few Words From Gabrielle: “I am in tenth grade at Dunwoody High School. I love listening to music and being active, along with hanging out with my friends and family. I have also been going to Camp Barney Medintz for 8 years and I absolutely love it. I also like to think of myself as a fun-loving and energetic person.”

Jake Isenberg

  • The Galloway School
  • Nominating Organization: Temple Sinai
  • Academic Honors:
    • National Merit Commended Student
    • State Semifinalist, Team, Georgia Varsity State Debate Tournament
    • Co-Southern Region Champions, Team, Peach State Debate Tournament
    • First Place Nationally, Team, Emory NDI Debate Tournament
    • Outstanding Witness Award, 2025 Georgia High Scool Mock Trial Competition
    • Mind, Body, Spirit Award, School-wide, for success in dance, theater, and academics
    • English Book Award, School-wide, for the junior succeeding in the English department
    • State Runner-Up for Theatrical Set Design, Georgia Thespian Conference
    • 1st Place, Poetry Out Loud school competition
  • A Few Words From Jake: “Every Sunday I love helping to teach preschoolers at my synagogue, Temple Sinai, as part of the madrichim program, which I have adored being a member of for six years now! This year, I got to build bridges across communities when I travelled to Montgomery and Selma, Alabama as a member of the Black/Jewish Teen Initative at American Jewish Committee where I also completed their Leaders for Tomorrow (LFT) program and serve on the LFT alumni board. At school, I am the captain of our policy debate team, where I was recently a semifinalist at the varsity state competition debating the ethical aspects of global intellectual property rights, which is a lot more entertaining than it sounds! I am also involved in mock trial, dance, and theater and am known to yap about politics, history, or the latest TV show I just finished!”

Jake Malever

  • The Weber School
  • Nominating Organization:Temple Beth Tikvah
  • Academic Honors:
    • GPA (4.27 freshman year)
    • AP & Honors Student
    • Applied for and chosen as a Lab Assistant at The Weber School for The Daniel Zalik Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering & Design
    • Social Studies Award: Received award for grade average increasing the most from 1st to 2nd semester. One student chosen per class (May 2022)
  • A Few Words From Jake: “My name is Jake Malever and I am a sophomore at The Weber School. I serve as Social Action Vice President for my Temple’s Youth Group, HOTTY. I plan and organize various volunteer opportunities in the community. I’m looking forward to participating in a L’Taken Social Justice Seminar next January. At The Weber School I play Varsity Tennis and am a Lab Assistant in The Daniel Zalik Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering & Design. Outside of school I enjoy training at Sceney Tennis Academy and competing in USTA & UTR tournaments. I love watching sports, hanging out with my friends & family, and taking my dog for walks.”

Katie Vogin

  • North Atlanta High School,  Class of 2025
  • Nominating Organization: Congregation Beth Shalom
  • A Few Words From Katie: “I live in Dunwoody with my mom and 2 rescue dogs, Josie & Lester.. I have attended Davis Academy since I was 4 years old. I am creative and fun to be around. My teachers tell me that I am a pleasure to have in class and compliment me on my maturity.”

Leah Silver

  • Jewish Kids Group
  • Nominating Organization: Jewish Kids Group
  • Academic Honors: Junior Beta Club
  • A Few Words From Leah: “My name is Leah Silver and I am an eighth grader at Beacon Hill Middle School in Decatur, Georgia. I enjoy running, playing piano and spending time with friends and family. Family members, peers, and teachers from school and Jewish Kids Group push me to be the best possible version of myself, while also inspiring me to enjoy whatever is coming my way. I am very thankful and excited for being chosen for the 34th Annual Hadassah Chesed Student Award.”

Maccabee Anderson

  • The Galloway School
  • Nominating Organization: American Jewish Committee
  • Academic Honors: Governors Honors Program
  • A Few Words From Maccabee: “Maccabee is a Senior at the Galloway School in Atlanta, GA and an incoming Freshman at the University of Chicago. He is a varsity swimmer and club water polo player. He is passionate about creative writing, story telling and Jewish learning. He is a Teen Fellow with the Shalom Hartman Institute and a Leaders for Tomorrow participant at the American Jewish Committee. Maccabee was born in New York City, spent much of his childhood in Los Angeles, and is currently living in Atlanta with his family.”

Matthew Steinberg

  • The Weber School
  • Nominating Organization: The Weber School
  • Academic Honors: National Honor Society
  • A Few Words From Matthew: “I have attended The Weber School for four years, and I am currently in my senior year. I am active in my school community and have held leadership roles, including on the Service Learning Board, Senior Class Representative, and Assistant Stage Manager for Orbit Arts Academy and Weber Theater. I love writing and movies and am interested in studying journalism in college.”

Maya Shatil

  • Chamblee High School
  • Nominating Organization: Congregation Or Hadash
  • Academic Honors: POSSE Scholarship finalist, grade-level awards in English and Math, awarded Most Talented by school theater department, AP Scholar with Honor, earned French Seal of Biliteracy
  • A Few Words From Maya: “I am a performer; I have been dancing since I was five, singing in chorus since middle school, and acting in the school musicals since freshman year of high school. I have always been passionate about protecting the environment and stopping climate change. I always do my best to extend empathy towards everyone. I feel most at peace when I am hiking, and my sense of adventure comes from water sports like paddle-boarding, kayaking, and sailing.”

Oliver Mason

  • Atlanta Jewish Academy
  • Nominating Organization: Atlanta Jewish Academy
  • Academic Honors: AJA Valedictorian Class of 2025, PAGE STAR Student, National Merit Finalist, AP Scholar With Honor, AJA Yale Book Award, AJA Spirit of STEM Award, AJA Spirit of Humanities Award
  • A Few Words From Oliver: “Oliver Mason is a senior at AJA, where he is a cabinet member on the Student Council and leader of the Volunteer Initiative and School Beautification clubs. A burgeoning journalist, Oliver has written for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and is currently the Editor-in-Chief of his school’s newspaper, Palette, at which he spends time reporting, editing, advising, and photographing. He’s volunteered for four years with Friendship Circle of Atlanta and is now on their Teen Leadership Board, and he founded his own volunteer service, Giving Through Graphics, where he partners his love of graphic design with his love of community involvement to create flyers, logos, cards, and other designs for non-profit organizations. Oliver is passionate about using creativity to help others and hopes to major in civil engineering in college. He spends his free time designing on Canva, painting with acrylics, playing tennis, and spending time with his three younger sisters.”

Samantha Weiner

  • The Galloway School
  • Nominating Organization: The Temple
  • Academic Honors: National Hispanic Recognition Program for Outstanding Academic Achievement
  • A Few Words From Samantha: “Hi! My name is Samantha Weiner and I am currently a senior at The Galloway School. When I’m not at school, you can find me on the tennis court, baking cookies, and volunteering with a ton of different organizations, including as a Gesher (mentor) at my temple on Sunday mornings. I am passionate about all things writing and often use my Jewish identity to create an often ignored lens in my articles and creative pieces. I am also an outspoken advocate for mental health, women’s rights, and against antisemitism. I will be continuing my education next year at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and plan on majoring in Communications and Media and minoring in Creative Writing, but am looking into taking Psychology courses as well.”

Stella Bernath

  • The Davis Academy
  • Nominating Organization: The Davis Academy
  • Academic Honors: Straight A Student
  • A Few Words From Stella: “I am excited to get more involved in leadership roles in high school next year. Though I will miss my Davis kehilah, I am planning on joining BBYO to remain connected with my friends and the Jewish community. I enjoy art, the beach, writing, basketball, running track, and hanging with my friends.”
Stella Bernath

Stella Galanti

  • The Weber School
  • Nominating Organization: Congregation Or VeShalom
  • Academic Honors:
    • Spanish National Honor Society
    • National Honor Society
    • The Weber School Award for Academic Excellence in Jewish Studies
    • National Society of High School Scholars
    • Lori Kagan Swarz Honors Diploma Distinction in Global Leadership
    • AP Scholar Award
  • A Few Words From Stella: “Hi! I am Stella Galanti, a Davis Academy alumni, and a current Senior at The Weber School. Throughout high school I have participated in activities such as flag football, CCC (Creating Connected Communities), BBYO (Bnai Brith Youth Organization), have sung in many community wide events, and this year I took on an internship at the Davis Academy, helping out in Jewish Studies. I love my big family and am so lucky to have the support of my parents, Julia and Todd, and my siblings, Ileana and Jaron, in everything I do. In the fall, I will be studying education at the University of Wisconsin – Madison! Go badgers!”
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