Nefesh B’Nefesh awarded its Maor Youth Prize to nine exceptional young olim (immigrants to Israel) who have enriched Israeli society amid the challenges of the past year.
Nefesh B’Nefesh, a nonprofit organization that helps Jews from North America and the United Kingdom make aliyah, established the Maor Youth Prize in 2022. Named after the Hebrew word for “light,” the prize was presented on Wednesday during a ceremony at the Nefesh B’Nefesh Aliyah Campus in Jerusalem on the eighth night of Chanukah.
“Each of these remarkable youth has not only embraced the challenges of aliyah but has risen to serve as a guiding light in their communities throughout Israel,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and executive director of Nefesh B’Nefesh.
“This year’s recipients inspire us all, showing how young individuals can profoundly influence Israeli society while navigating their personal aliyah journeys,” he added.
The 2024 Maor Youth Prize recipients:
Bina Sussman, 16: Bina left New York and settled in Ramat Beit Shemesh, west of Jerusalem, in eighth grade. Together with Rachel Stoll, she launched the Big Sister-Little Sister program, pairing high school girls with elementary-school newcomers to help them adjust to life in Israel. Now in its second year, the program involves more than 60 participants, hosting weekly meet-ups and monthly events.
Rachel Stoll, 16: Rachel co-created the Big Sister-Little Sister program with Bina Sussman after moving to Israel from New York. Rachel’s leadership and enthusiasm have helped the initiative grow into a vital support network for young immigrant girls.
Yechezkel Pollack, 18: Yechezkel left Cleveland and found a home in Ramat Beit Shemesh at age 12, overcoming challenges from hearing loss and learning difficulties. Now an Ezra Youth Movement counselor, he tutors English, volunteers with Shema (an organization for hearing-impaired kids) and produces a podcast about living with hearing loss.
Eliana Friedman, 16: Eliana moved from New Jersey to Ramat Beit Shemesh at age 11. She is active in organizations such as Ezra, Yachad, Shalva and Sabavta (a Beit Shemesh-based program that assists the elderly), and helps coordinate patient visits at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem through its Mesamchim program. Recently, she launched WhatsApp groups in memory of fallen soldiers she knew, sharing daily tributes. She was also pivotal in organizing a song produced by Avishai, an Israeli recording artist, in memory of her cousin, Master Sgt. (res.) Nadav Knoller, which will be released to the public soon.
Isaac Casper, 17: Isaac moved from New York to Modi’in, between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, at age 9. He leads a tzitzit-tying initiative at his synagogue, which has produced more than 10,000 sets of ritual fringes for soldiers. He also organizes weekly sessions featuring food and Torah study.
Daniel Gilad, 17: Daniel moved from New Jersey to Haifa at the age of 12. He is a counselor with the Israeli Scouts, mentoring younger students. He also volunteers to support soldiers and bereaved families. In addition, he volunteers at Shuk Otef, a marketplace organization, and has participated in volunteer activities supporting soldiers and their families.
Moriah Millman, 15: Moriah left Florida for Hinanit in Samaria at age 8, and has been a driving force in her community ever since. She launched the Lonely Bench project to promote inclusivity at school, was part of the HaShomer HaChadash (“New Watchman”) organization helping to cultivate the land and inspire a love for it among locals and visitors, and shared weekly online Torah insights as outreach to Jews everywhere during the COVID-19 epidemic. Recently, she played a key role in bringing the Bnei Akiva youth movement to her area.
Ezra Engelhart, 13: Ezra moved from Chicago to Modi’in at age 3. He volunteers weekly at the Beit Almog Shiloni Lone Soldier House in Modi’in, preparing meals and providing holiday items such as lulav and etrog sets, sufganiyot Chanukah jelly doughnuts, and mishloach manot Purim baskets. For his bar mitzvah, he and his guests created mosaic welcome signs for homes housing lone soldiers, defined as those without family in Israel who can help them.
Nadav Kamer, 16: Nadav left Massachusetts for Ra’anana, north of Tel Aviv, at age 8. In January 2024, he was severely wounded in a terrorist ramming attack, sustaining brain and spinal cord injuries. He has defied medical expectations, regaining the ability to walk with support. Nadav continues to contribute to his baseball team as a scorekeeper and hopes to return to the playing field in the future. Nadav received a special recognition award for his bravery and resilience since being injured.