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The annual merit-based scholarship is given to rising juniors and seniors who have shown a commitment to Israel and an ability to inspire others
NEW YORK, NY — Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, has named Michelle Camhi, 16, of Hollywood, Fla.; Lily Drits, 16, of Roswell, Ga.; and Talia Rubel, 17, of Chamblee, Ga., the winners of the 2026 Hadassah Leaders of Tomorrow Award for Young Women.
The award, a merit-based scholarship, is given each year to young women entering the 11th or 12th grade who have shown an unswerving commitment to Israel and the Jewish people and an ability to inspire and be a role model for others.
Each winner will receive $1,500 towards the tuition for Gesher Israel (“gesher” is Hebrew for “bridge”), a summer program offered by Young Judaea, Hadassah’s longtime partner and America’s oldest Zionist youth movement.
The winners will spend three-and-a-half weeks in Israel this July honing their leadership skills while learning about the country’s culture and history and forging the lifelong friendships for which Gesher Israel – and Young Judaea – are famous.
“At an important stage in their lives, Michelle, Lily and Talia have stepped forward as young leaders. They are making a difference in their communities while showing their peers how they can do the same,” said Carol Ann Schwartz, Hadassah National President. “Hadassah is proud to honor them and to encourage their continued growth.”
Added Elaine Silver, Hadassah National Young Judaea Chair, “One of Hadassah’s goals, and responsibilities, is to recognize and empower the next generation of leaders. In Michelle, Lily and Talia, we’ve found three young women who fit the bill one-hundred percent – and then some.”
MEET THE WINNERS
Michelle Camhi, 16 – Rising Senior, David Posnack Jewish Day School (Davie, Fla.)
- Passion for Israel: Michelle creates and presents seminars on Middle East current events to help classmates become stronger advocates for Israel.
- Talent for Leadership: As a counselor for Maccabi Tzair, Maccabi’s youth movement, she works with younger members who want to deepen their Jewish identity.
- Making a Difference: While a 2026 intern with StandWithUs, the Israel education and advocacy organization, Michelle arranged for her school to hold a moment of silence on International Holocaust remembrance Day.
- Says Michelle: “The true reward of leadership is not the recognition you receive but the difference you make in the lives of others.”
Lily Drits, 16 – Rising Senior, The Weber School (Sandy Springs, Ga.)
- Passion for Israel: Lily actively participates in letter-writing campaigns that allow her and her classmates to express their gratitude to Israeli soldiers on active duty.
- Talent for Leadership: She plans and executes regional and national recruiting events for Young Judaea summer programs as Vice President of Young Judaea’s Southeast Regional Board.
- Making a Difference: Lily devotes time each month to helping at-risk students with their schoolwork as a volunteer for Georgia’s Creating Connected Community (CCC).
- Says Lily: “I’m making a difference in the world and in my community by learning more each day about how I can be a better leader.”
Talia Rubel, 17 – Rising Senior, Chamblee High School (Chamblee, Ga.)
- Passion for Israel: “Israel has a special place in my heart, and I take that love with me everywhere I go,” says Talia, who comes from a family with deep connections to the Jewish homeland and whose formative experiences included both Jewish day school and summers spent at Camp Judaea (North Carolina) learning about Israeli culture in Hebrew-only classes taught by Israelis.
- Talent for Leadership: As President of her school’s National English Honor Society, Talia has increased student engagement and enthusiasm about literature; as President of the Jewish Student Union (JSU), she has fostered a sense of community and belonging among Jewish students at her secular high school.
- Making a Difference: By starting a chapter of Best Buddies, Talia increased the opportunity for interaction between students with intellectual and developmental challenges and general-education students, earning the “Rookie of the Year” distinction.
- Says Talia: “Jewish female leaders have the most impact in gaining widespread support for Israel and fighting antisemitism when they ‘live’ their Jewish values in both secular and Jewish- or Israel-focused settings and roles.”
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About the Hadassah Leaders of Tomorrow Award for Young Women:
Created in 2014, the Hadassah Leaders of Tomorrow Award for Young Women grew out of a decades-long partnership between Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, a leading advocate for Israel and Zionism since its founding in 1912, and Young Judaea, the oldest Zionist youth movement in the United States. By providing merit scholarships that make it possible for American children, teens and young adults to participate in Young Judaea’s camps, Israel programs, year-round activities and volunteer experiences, Hadassah is strengthening future generations’ connection to Israel and Zionism and shaping tomorrow’s Jewish leaders. To learn more, visit hadassah.org/How-We-Help/Young-Judaea.