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2024 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 5, 2024.

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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2024 Chesed Student Award Recipients

Avram Eli

  • The Weber School, Class of 2025
  • Nominating Organization: Ahavath Achim Synagogue
  • Academic Honors: National Honors Society
  • A Few Words From Avram: “I am Avram Eli Rosenthal, I love music, Movies, and being around friends. my favorite of genre music is Alt Rock. My favorite Movie is Beetlejuice. I have lives in Atlanta for most of my life and have become active in the thriving Jewish community here.”

Alex Bradley

  • The Paideia School, Class of 2028
  • Nominating Organization: Jewish Kids Group
  • Academic Honors: Made the middle school Honor Roll in 6th grade at David T Howard Middle School
  • A Few Words From Alex:“My name is Alex Bradley and I am 14 years old. I have a disability called Achondroplasia, which is a form of dwarfism. I am an eighth grader at the Paideia School. I have been a part of Jewish Kids Groups since I was in 3rd grade. I help out my local wheelchair basketball team through a program called BlazeSports(an adaptive sports organization for people athletes who have a physical disability) I also participate on their track team. I am very honored to be receiving this award.”

Ian Hirsch

  • Milton High School, Class of 2025
  • Nominating Organization: Temple Kehilah Chaim
  • Academic Honors: National Honor Society, Scholar Athlete, 4.0 GPA
  • A Few Words From Ian: “At Milton High School, I am a member of the Varsity Tennis team, was the Captain of the JV team and was voted team MVP. I participate in National Honor Society, Academic Bowl, and Chess Club. I will receive my Law Enforcement Career Pathway certificate this year. Outside of High School, I volunteer as a Madrich for Religious School, volunteer to make and serve meals at Zaban Paradies Shelter, am a Life Scout working toward Eagle and currently the Senior Patrol Leader of my Boy Scout troop. I participated in L’Taken and while in Washington DC, I lobbied my representatives for a Georgia Anti-Semitism bill. I am a movie fan and an avid contributor to Letterboxd.”

Avishai Fox

  • The Walker School, Class of 2025
  • Nominating Organization: Congregation Gesher L’Torah
  • Academic Honors:National Honor Society, Classics Honor Society, AP and Honors Student
  • A Few Words From Avishai:“My name is Avishai Fox I am a junior at The Walker School, where I am a member of the robotics club and part of a competitive team. Outside of school I compete on the national level in Trampoline and Tumbling and I have been a competitive dancer for many years at Rhythm Dance Center. I love anything active and outside so in my free time I am always outside hiking, biking, or running.”

Ellie Widis

  • Centennial High School, Class of 2024
  • Nominating Organization: Congregation Beth Shalom
  • Academic Honors: IB Economics Top Student Award, Principle’s List, A-B Honor Roll
  • A Few Words From Ellie:“My name is Ellie Widis and I am a senior in high school. I love spending time with my Jewish community, and for the past two years, I have been actively working as a Hebrew Tutor for young children, as well as working at a Jewish Preschool. I also love to watch movies, listen to music, write poetry, and spend time with my friends. One of my friends is actively on their way to converting to Judaism, and I enjoyed going to a Shabbat Service with them.”

Sari D'Agostino

  • Midtown High School, Class of 2025
  • Nominating Organization: Congregation Shearith Israel
  • Academic Honors: National Latin Exam 2022 – Cum Laude National Latin Exam, 2023 – Silver medal and Maxima Cum Laude, 2023 – AP Scholar With Honor
  • A Few Words From Sari: “My name is Sari D’Agostino, and I am a junior at Midtown High School. I play softball for my school’s varsity team, and I participate in the theater and chorus programs. I am Communications VP on my synagogue’s chapter of USY, and I participate in a post-Bat Mitzvah class about Anti-Semitism at my synagogue called Shai High. I have been a madricha at my synagogue for the past four years, and I started teaching the pre-k class in January.”

Jacob Summerfield

  • Dunwoody High School, Class of 2025
  • Nominating Organization: Diamond Family Religious School at Temple Emanuel
  • Academic Honors: Honor Role throughout Middle School and High School
  • A Few Words From Jacob: “My name is Jacob Summerfield, and I am a Junior attending Dunwoody High School who is in the Marching Band. I play the trumpet, french horn, mellephone, and piano. I enjoy watching sports, hanging out with friends, playing video games, and working. I attend monthly Temple Emanuel Board meetings as the Tefty President.”

Abigail Streger

  • Campbell High School, Class of 2025
  • Nominating Organization: American Jewish Committee
  • Academic Honors: Martin Luther King Junior Humanitarian Award (Campbell High School), Atlanta Urban Debate League, Argumentative Speech Bown Top Speaker in High School Division
  • A Few Words From Abigail: “When I’m not making bad Jewish jokes, I spend my time in the tech booth of my school theatre, at my synagogue eating more than my fair share of bagels or yenta-ing with friends. I’m so honored to have been selected as an award recipient and would like to thank the team at the American Jewish Committee Atlanta office. They are the kindest, most committed group of people and I have learned and grown so much from involvement in programs such as Leaders for Tomorrow and the Black Jewish Teen Coalition. I can’t wait to see what other opportunities await me in the Atlanta and global Jewish communities. Thank you!”

Ava Satisky

  • Riverwood International Charter School, Class of 2024
  • Nominating Organization: Creating Connected Communities
  • Academic Honors: Riverwood Salutatorian, Georgia Certificate of Merit (top 5% of class), National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, Beta Club, Riverwood Award for Academic Excellence in Chemistry, Principal’s List (x7)
  • A Few Words From Ava: “I am a senior at Riverwood International Charter School currently pursuing my IB Diploma with focuses in Math, Art, and Literature. I was named as Riverwood’s 2024 Salutatorian and am involved with many Riverwood honor societies. Outside of class, I love helping my community as the president of the nonprofit Creating Connected Communities’ Leadership Development Program, Student Body Officer of Riverwood’s SGA, a daily intern at the Davis Academy, and a tutor in Riverwood’s Writing Center. In addition to those activities, I enjoy going to concerts, creating art, and spending time with my friends.”

Sophia Molinari

  • The Alfred and Adele Davis Academy, Class of 2028
  • Nominating Organization: The Alfred and Adele Davis Academy
  • Academic Honors: Straight A Student
  • A Few Words From Sophia: “My name is Sophia Molinari and I go to the Davis Academy. I am in eighth grade and love playing volleyball and hanging out with my friends. Additionally, I read from the Torah for my synagogue on the high holidays, and love volunteering with kids.”

Ella Jeffres

  • Pope High School, Class of 2024
  • Nominating Organization: Congregation Or Hadash
  • Academic Honors: Academic Letter Award, Georgia Certificate of Merit, AP Scholar with Distinction Award, Governor’s Honors Program
  • A Few Words From Ella: “Hi, my name is Ella Jeffres, and I’m honored to be receiving the Chesed award! A regular attendee of Or Hadash services, Pope High School Band Saxophone Section Leader, and President of Interfaith Atlanta Youth, I try to stay in touch with my Jewish identity and I let it guide me throughout life’s greatest questions. I enjoy art, music, reading, and taking walks in nature. I plan to major in History, Technology, and Society at Georgia Tech, and become a museum curator in the future.”

Ethan Sherris

  • Chamblee High School, Class of 202
  • Nominating Organization: Bnai Torah
  • Academic Honors: AP, high GPA, magnet program, gifted program
  • A Few Words From Ethan: “I am a 16 year old Jewish sophomore at Chamblee high school. I have gone to camp Ramah Darom for the past 6 years and a member at congregation Binai Torah my entire life. I am both a member of the USY chapter SSUSY and the BBYO chapter Frank Fierman. At school I run Cross Country and am in many clubs such as ultimate frisbee, skills USA, and Jewish Student Union.”

Sophia Rose

  • North Atlanta High School,  Class of 2025
  • Nominating Organization: Temple Sinai
  • Academic Honors: Principal’s Honors List, Presidential Service Gold Award, Rho Kappa (social studies honors society), National Honors Society, Outstanding Attorney in 2024 Georgia HSMT Regional Competition, Outstanding Witness in 2024 Georgia HSMT Regional Competition
  • A Few Words From Sophia: “I am passionate about helping my community, especially the kids and teenagers around me. I love studying everything mental health and people related. My Jewish lens inspires me to heal the world around me, and I strive to do that every day!”

Hannah Levy

  • Lassiter High School, Class of 2024
  • Nominating Organization: Temple Kol Emeth
  • Academic Honors: Honor roll, principal’s and highest average award recipient and academic letter recipient
  • A Few Words From Hannah: “I’m Hannah Levy and I am a senior on the honor roll at Lassiter High School. I am involved in many clubs (e.g., mock trial team, national honor society) and extracurricular activities. I am a Lieutenant Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol (Air Force Auxiliary) and am working to obtain the highest rank of Colonel which less than 2500 people have done since WW2. I also volunteer with my synagogue’s Madrichim program to teach 6th – 9th grade students.”

Leora Frank

  • Atlanta Jewish Academy, Class of 2024
  • Nominating Organization: Atlanta Jewish Academy
  • Academic Honors: Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honors Society (11-12)
  • A Few Words From Leora:“I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I have gone to Atlanta Jewish Academy since Kindergarten. I love playing the piano, hanging out with friends and family, and kickboxing. The most impactful part of volunteering for me is knowing that I might have made a difference in someone else’s day.”

Grace Engel

  • Roswell High School,  Class of 2024
  • Nominating Organization: Temple Beth Tikvah
  • Academic Honors: Principal’s Honor Roll National Honor Society
  • A Few Words From Grace: “My name is Grace Engel and I am from Roswell, GA. I am a 12th grader at Roswell High School, where I am the Editor-in-Chief of my yearbook, Communications Chair for Student Council and Secretary for National Honor Society. When I am not at school, I am active in my Temple Youth Group, HOTTY, volunteering as the Co-Director for Camp Jenny and hanging out with my friends.”

Reid “Felton” Pruitt

  • Beacon Hill Middle School, Class of 2028
  • Nominating Organization: Congregation Bet Haverim
  • Academic Honors: NA
  • A Few Words From Felton: “My name is Felton Pruitt. I live in Decatur with my wonderful mother, father and 3 cats. I am 13 and I am an eighth grader at Beacon Hill Middle School. In my free time I enjoy playing the guitar, skateboarding and playing video games.”

Sari Grant

  • The Epstein School,  Class of 2028
  • Nominating Organization: The Epstein School
  • Academic Honors: Crew in blue
  • A Few Words From Sari: “My name is Sari Grant. I am currently in 8th grade at the Epstein school which I have attended since I was in kindergarten. At least four days a week I have dance classes or rehearsal at Dan and company. When I’m not dancing or at school I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.”

Gavrielle Diamant

  • The Weber School, Class of 2024
  • Nominating Organization: The Weber School
  • Academic Honors:Columbia Book Award, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Honor Societ,y Spanish National Honor Society, The Weber School’s Science Department Award
  • A Few Words From Gavrielle: “Hi! My name is Gavrielle Diamant and I am a senior at the Weber School. This year, I am honored to be the captain of the Weber School’s track & field team, after being on the team for all of my high school career. I am a Peer Leader and also a Student Ambassador at the Weber School. Outside of school, I consistently volunteered with Creating Connected Communities’ Leadership Development Program, served on the board for two years, and then was elected as the board president this past year. I love music, being outdoors, spending time with my friends and family, and giving back to my community.”

Nate Aronstein

  • Wheeler High School,  Class of 2024
  • Nominating Organization: Congregation Etz Chaim
  • Academic Honors: AP Scholar with Distinction, Principals Honor Roll
  • A Few Words From Nate: “Hi, my name is Nate Aronstein. I am a member of Sababa USY and I have served on board as Communications VP last year and president this year. I also teach fifth-grade religious school. I go to Wheeler Magnet where I am president of Odyssey of the Mind. I am interning at Atlanta Beltline Inc. under their Principal Engineer to learn more about my (hopefully) future career field of civil engineering.”

Jordan Perlman

  • North Gwinnett High School, Class of 2024
  • Nominating Organization: Congregation Dor Tamid
  • Academic Honors: Honor Roll, Honor Graduate
  • A Few Words From Jordan: “My name is Jordan Perlman and I was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina. I am currently a senior at North Gwinnett High School and I have always had a passion for helping others. I have been on the Swim and Dive team for four years, I have been participating in musical theatre for six years, and I have been a madricha at my synagogue for four years. I also co-founded JSU (Jewish Student Union) at my high school.”

Ethan Droze

  • Druid Hills High School, Class of 2024
  • Nominating Organization: The Temple – Atlanta
  • Academic Honors: 4.0 International Baccalaureate scholar (IB), Introduction to Philosophy of Film course at Emory University, Director and Producer for “Where Jazz Went” (IB CAS Project and short film) and “Cleaning Up Burnt Fork Creek” (IB environmental awareness film project)
  • A Few Words From Ethan: “Ever since I can remember, my world has revolved around the desire to create, film, and share movies. By merging my passion for connecting with new individuals, exploring diverse locations, and collaborating within a creative team, my goal is to establish myself as an independent filmmaker. To date, I’ve truly enjoyed intertwining my love for film with other significant facets of my life, such as directing Shir Show at my temple, vlogging school sporting events with friends, and occasionally crafting short films. I look forward to the next four years at UNC School of the Arts, with the goal of perfecting my craft as an all-around filmmaker and storyteller.”

Josh Whitehead

  • The Paideia School, Class of 2024
  • Nominating Organization: Congregation Or VeShalom
  • Academic Honors: National Merit Scholarship Program: Letter of Commendation, Senior Peer Leader (selective freshman peer advising program), Paideia Jewish Student Organization Leader, Eagle Scout
  • A Few Words From Josh: “I’m Josh Whitehead, and I’m a senior at The Paideia School in Atlanta. Outside of school, I play golf, advise Kol Ram AZA as a senior, volunteer and help lead my Scouting troop, and plan events for Paideia’s Outdoor Club, Investment Club, and Jewish Student Organization. When I’m not doing those activities, I’m probably listening to music because I’m a huge fan of it. I aspire to work in business and continue to make a positive difference in that realm.”

Isabella Malobe

  • Tuskegee Airmen Global Academy, Class of 2025
  • Nominating Organization: Atlanta Jews of Color
  • Academic Honors: Will be graduating at 16. She accelerated through 2 academic grades!
  • A Few Words From Audrey: “My name is Isabella Malobe, I am 15, in the 11th grade currently. I love art and being creative in whatever I’m doing. I also enjoy helping people which is why I have goals of becoming a doctor. My want to help people is my reason for being very involved in my community both religiously and outside of religion.”
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