Meet the Leadership Scholars of Cohort III

Cohort III
 

Maya August

Maya August was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated from Fuchs Mizrachi School in 2023. During her high school career, Maya was awarded both the Chein v’Chessed Award and the Nitzan Award in recognition of her leadership and commitment to her community. Over the course of high school, Maya served as a school ambassador, Jr. NCSY advisor, and a head of Bnei Akiva Cleveland’s leadership board. Additionally, during the summer she worked as a rosh at Moshava Bair Cleveland and has interned at the Jewish Education Center. Maya is currently in her shana aleph at Midreshet HaRova and is eager to embrace her new role as a leadership scholar.
 

Charli Ernstein

Charli Ernstein was born in Overland Park, Kansas and attended school at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy through 8th grade.  For high school she attended Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Chicago, and there, became increasingly active in NCSY. She sat on NCSY boards with various positions throughout high school, advancing to being the Midwest Regional President and a member of National Board. Charli had the opportunity to take on many roles in high school: a choir head for Ida Crown Takes the Stage, a Senior Leader, a member of the Student Activities Board and the National Honor Society, and a madricha at Moshava Wild Rose. With a passion for writing, Charli was a co-Editor-in-Chief of Ida Crown's Charlotte's Web Literary Magazine in her senior year. Lastly, her proudest writing achievement is having recently been named a Finalist in DePaul's BlueBook for a poem she wrote about her own Abuelita based on Sandra Cisneros's "Abuelito Who."

Ayelet Friedman

Ayelet E. Friedman was raised in Baltimore, Maryland where she graduated from the Bais Yaakov of Baltimore, earning the Citizenship Award from faculty and peers. Throughout high school, she pursued her love for English and writing, serving as Editor-in-Chief of her high school newspaper and as captain of the English Literature team. She was awarded first place in The Associated: Young Writers category of the “My 2020 Journey” Writing Contest, and a bronze for the 9th and 10th grade division of Tikvah Online Academy Essay Contest. She acted as a youth group leader at her family synagogue, Shomrei Emunah of Baltimore, worked at the Mimi Boutique, and was a Big Sister for JEP of Maryland. Outside of school, she participated in numerous Tikvah Fund programs, including the Tikvah Online Academy for four years, the Tikvah Scholars Program for two summers, the Solomon Fellowship, the Tikvah Scholars Forum, and several other invitational programs. Ayelet paired with college students from the University of Maryland and The Image Center of Maryland to further develop her CJIE award-winning prototype, the Hug-a-Bear, designed to alleviate depression and anxiety among different age groups. In the summer following high school graduation, she interned in the office of Dutch (C.A.) Ruppersberger (D-MD). Ayelet then attended Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim (MMY), where she was Editor-in-Chief of the school journal, Kol Mevaseret, continuing her learning in the Tikvah Overseas Program.

Yosef Kryzman

Yosef Kryzman is from Teaneck, New Jersey, and attended Torah Academy of Bergen County for high school.  During his time at TABC, Yosef served as the President of the Israel Advocacy Club, facilitating discussions and spearheading events to promote awareness and understanding of Israeli affairs. Furthermore, after completing an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course at the Bergen County EMS Training Center, Yosef volunteered as an EMT at the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Yosef's commitment to Israel advocacy extended to his participation in Write On For Israel, where he engaged with journalists and experts to address complex geopolitical issues. Furthermore, he participated in TABC's Distinguished Scholars Program, conducting research in behavioral economics. In addition to his academic and advocacy pursuits, Yosef also served as a Yachad Counselor, fostering meaningful connections with individuals and promoting inclusivity.

Ben Meisels

Ben Meisels hails from Los Angeles, California. He went to YULA Boys High School, and is currently learning at Yeshivat Torat Shraga. As an aspiring entrepreneur, Ben founded a company that buys, sells, and trades gold, silver, and other precious metals across America and Puerto Rico. Ben was the captain of his high school’s varsity golf team. Ben founded YULA’s Future Investors Club which assisted in educating the students on financial literacy. Ben has a passion for real estate and worked at a leading Los Angeles real estate firm this past summer.

 Mark S. Mosseri

Mark S. Mosseri grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and is a distinguished graduate of Yeshiva of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School. As the President & Founder of the Leaders In Business Club, he established a platform for hosting business leaders, fostering discussions on real-world business leadership. Mark's dedication extends to his role as President of Fundraising in the Tzedakah Committee, where he led impactful fundraising efforts supporting many charitable organizations. Additionally, he spearheaded the Little Red Box initiative, spreading positivity in school, raising awareness, and donating profits to the Ukraine Relief. Committed to mentorship, Mark served as a Senior Mentor for Freshman Students, providing guidance and support. As a committee member of Sephardic Bikur Holim Youth Division, he organized community service and charity events, showcasing his leadership in community engagement. He further demonstrates his dedication to community engagement as the Young Adult President of Mikdash Eliyahu Synagogue. Mark's exemplary contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Senator Simcha Feldman Youth Leadership Award and the Sephardic Bikur Holim Senior Award, highlighting his outstanding commitment to leadership and community service. His academic excellence has earned him admission to the National Honor Society and induction into the Archon Society, along with consistent recognition on the Principal's List for his excellence in scholarship and character. Mark spent summers in various leadership and learning experiences, including the Leadership in the Business World program at The Wharton School. Mark is currently studying at Yeshivat Moreshet Yerushalayim in Jerusalem, Israel. Mark's multifaceted leadership and dedication to service show his commitment to making a positive impact in his community and beyond.
 

Gideon Rone

Gideon grew up in Baltimore, Maryland where he attended Beth Tfiloh High School. During his years there, he was the Student Body President as well as captain of the Model UN team and Varsity  Basketball team. Raised by two parents who work as professionals in the Jewish nonprofit world, Gideon inherited a love for Judaism and a drive to do his part in strengthening the Jewish community and bettering our world.

Gideon loves people, Jewish practice, building community, reading, learning, and helping others. He puts his creativity, enthusiasm and passion to use often, whether coordinating volunteers in the Old City, overseeing special projects, or advocating for Israel. His most fulfilling work experience has been serving on the leadership team of imadi where he has helped to launch and facilitate imadi at Eagle Point, a sleepaway summer program for kids with cancer and special needs. He finds his truest inspiration in creating special moments.

Gideon is currently finishing his second full year in Yeshivat Orayta in Jerusalem, and upon his return will be studying Psychology at Yeshiva College.
 

Hannah Schachter

Hannah Schachter is a rising sophomore at Stern College. She is currently studying abroad at Sha’alvim for Women. Prior to that, Hannah graduated from The Frisch School, where she was president of Student Council, captain of the Girls Varsity Basketball team, and Grade Representative for two years. Outside of her academics, Hannah was President of Yachad for Frisch and volunteered at I-Shine, the Jewish Youth Network Encounter Program, and Friendship Circle in New Jersey. Hannah is also currently volunteering at the Shalva National Center in Jerusalem, Israel. Hannah lives in Bergenfield, NJ with her parents and two brothers. 
 

Leah Soloman

Leah Solomon grew up in North Woodmere, New York, and attended Manhattan High School for Girls. There, she was an editor for the Literary and Arts Journal and served as class president in both her Sophomore and Senior years. In addition, Leah was a youth group leader at her shul and helped run a local Shabbos group for children with special needs.

To address a pressing need she saw in the larger Orthodox community, Leah founded After The School Bell, a nonprofit that connects high school volunteers with elementary school students for accessible tutoring. Today, she manages the US/Canada team on the ground from Israel, where she is studying at Michlalah Jerusalem College.

Since arriving in Israel, Leah has been regularly volunteering in the pediatric ward of Shaarei Tzedek Hospital. When the war broke out, Leah sprung into action, joining an operation to cook Shabbos food for 600+ chayalim and leveraging her reach in America to help fund this effort.

Leah is committed to bettering the Jewish community and is planning to study Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the Sy Syms School of Business this fall, a major she hopes will give her the skills she needs to effectively impact the Jewish world.

Benjamin Winters

Benjamin Winters is an energetic leader from Silver Spring, Maryland. He went to Berman Hebrew Academy for 12 years, where he was the captain of the basketball, soccer, baseball, and Model UN teams. Outside of school, Ben regularly leyned and davened, and took over as gabbai in the Youth Minyan at Kemp Mill Synagogue, and also took a leadership position in communal organizations such as Imadi and Chai Lifeline. During the summer, Ben has been a bunk counselour in Moshava IO for the past three years, and this past summer in Machal, he was Rosh Beit Merdish and leading a daf yomi shiur. Ben has continued developing his leadership skills in his years learning in Israel, working at Shalva and starting a post-night seder learning program at Torat Shraga called Players Only Meeting. Ben looks forward to joining a team of motivated young adults, spearheading new projects and ideas both inside and outside the Jewish community and learning from some of the greatest leaders of our generation.