Two teens win Bryna Zehngut Mitzvot Award
The advisory council of the Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona chose two teens, Jillian Cassius and Maya Levy, as the 2018 Bryna Zehngut Mitzvot Award recipients. The award, created in memory of a community leader who died in 2005, recognizes teens who display outstanding leadership in the Jewish and greater Tucson communities. The awards were presented at the annual Women’s Philanthropy Connections brunch on Feb. 18.
Jillian, the daughter of Jennifer and Mark Cassius, is a junior at The Gregory School. She is president of the local chapter of United Synagogue Youth, a member of USY’s regional general board, a student at Tucson Hebrew High, an active member of Congregation Anshei Israel, and a member of her school basketball and robotics clubs. She has attended Camp Ramah as both a camper and a counselor in training.
Maya, the daughter of Nanci and Doug Levy, is a junior at University High School. She is religious and cultural vice president of the Southwest Chapter of The North American Federation of Temple Youth, a member of Jew Crew at Temple Emanu-El Youth, madrachim (teacher’s aid) at Temple Emanu-El, and a member of her school Veterans Heritage Project club and tennis team. She has been a counselor at Camp Swift and a volunteer at Handmaker.
